Kansas City, Mo –
Kansas City, MO – The Kansas City Recruiting Battalion will close the books on the first month of the fourth quarter surge this week after featuring Army recruiting exhibits and personnel at the O’Fallon Freedom Festival and the Wings Over Whiteman Airshow during July. Currently, the battalion is featuring a large recruiting exhibit in Springfield, Missouri, at the Ozark Empire Fair, which began on July 25th and runs through Saturday, August 3rd.
The battalion is concentrating its efforts on ten impactful events throughout the fourth quarter of the fiscal year as part of the battalion surge effort. This strategic move follows last year’s extensive campaign, where soldiers supported 18 different events, aiming to optimize engagement with potential recruits.
Lt. Col. Crystal Jones, commander of the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion, emphasized the strategic shift: “By concentrating our resources on a select number of high-visibility events, we can deepen our engagement and more effectively communicate the benefits of Army service,” she explained.
Key Events for the Q4 Surge Include:
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O'Fallon Freedom Fest: A patriotic celebration ideal for highlighting the Army's role in national defense and community service.
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Wings Over Whiteman: An airshow showcasing the Army's aviation capabilities and technical career opportunities.
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Ozark Empire Fair: Engaging with fairgoers to discuss the diverse career paths and educational benefits available in the Army.
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Washington Town and Country Fair: Interacting with families and young adults in a community-focused setting.
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Kansas Intra-State Fair and Rodeo: A major event that attracts a wide audience, perfect for broad outreach and recruitment efforts.
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SantaCaliGon Days: One of the largest regional festivals, offering extensive visibility and engagement opportunities.
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Southeastern Missouri (SEMO) Fair: Reaching out to rural communities to discuss the Army's educational and career training programs.
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Manhattan High School Blitz: Focusing on high school students and their families to highlight educational opportunities and scholarships.
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Liberty Fall Festival: Connecting with local youth and families in a festive environment to discuss career options in the Army.
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St. Louis High School Blitz: Engaging with students in the St. Louis area to promote the benefits of Army service and educational programs.
Last year's events, which ranged from the O'Fallon Heritage and Freedom Fest to the Ozark Empire Fair and the SantaCaliGon Days, allowed recruiters to engage with diverse audiences. These interactions resulted in increased awareness and interest in Army careers. This year's surge aims to build on that success while refining the approach to ensure more meaningful connections.
“We are excited about the opportunities these events present,” said Army 1st Lt. Benjamin Steger, the recruiting operations officer for the Liberty Army Recruiting Company, one of the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion’s seven subordinate companies. “Our goal is to meet people where they are, answer their questions, and share the incredible benefits and experiences that a career in the Army can offer,” Steger explained.
The Kansas City Recruiting Battalion's efforts are part of a larger initiative to address the Army’s current recruiting challenges. By focusing on high-impact events, the battalion hopes to inspire more young people to consider the unique opportunities available through military service.