Lamont starts new effort to boost National Guard enlistment

Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new initiative to encourage state residents to join the Connecticut National Guard.

The initiative, known as the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP), will provide current and retired members of the Connecticut National Guard with the financial incentive of $500 per qualified lead that results in enlistment or commissioning. JEEP is open to all currently serving members of the Connecticut National Guard below the rank of general officer, regardless of duty status.

“The Connecticut National Guard has proven their worth time and again for this state and our communities during the pandemic and natural disasters,” Lamont said in a press statement. “In a competitive labor market such as this, every organization is vying for the best talent. We need to think outside of the box when it comes to recruiting, especially for our military that has been a vital resource to our state and country in times of need.”

In announcing the initiative, Lamont”™s office noted that members of the Connecticut National Guard receive a tuition waiver at in state colleges and universities, qualify for low-cost health insurance and may be eligible for financial bonuses up to $20,000. However, his office did not mention that the Connecticut National Guard can be called into lengthy deployments for frontline military duty ”“ last February, two Connecticut Army National Guard aviation units were deployed for a year to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the ongoing military action against ISIS.

Photo courtesy Connecticut National Guard