Recruits ready themselves for the Army
The sight of walkers and runners in my neighborhood is not a rare sight.
At any given time of the day, athletic-wear clad residents can be seen progressing through the streets with iPods bouncing and eyes watchful for cars whizzing by or bikes abandoned in the sidewalk.
But a couple of weeks ago, upon pulling into my subdivision, I noticed a large group running in formation. A few moments later when I pulled into my driveway they were coming right for my house, and I could see, and hear, that this was no ordinary running group.
Some clad in "ARMY" T-shirts and all with voices calling in a familiar cadence, they hit the ground for a round of sit-ups, and then it was up and on their way again with a couple of salutes to my family as we waved to them from the driveway.
Upon further investigation, I learned that they were participants in the Future Soldiers Program which is organized from the Carpentersville U.S. Army Recruiting Station at Randall and Binnie roads.
Staff Sgt. Steve Rosen is the station commander there, and explained that it isn't merely a place to sign the papers. In fact, the official testing, physical and enlistment happens at a processing center in Des Plaines.
According to Sgt. Rosen, the purpose of the office here in Carpentersville is to lead young men and women -- who are legally and morally qualified and want to be soldiers -- to the Army.
After a pre-qualification, they begin with identifying goals for the future.
"If they haven't established goals, we help them look at their dreams and some of their ideas of what they want to become and we actually help them develop steps to reach that dream," Rosen said.
From there, they take a test that Rosen likens to the ACT, to determine their skills in math, English and science for example. Based on all of that, they determine what jobs the recruits are qualified for, and what jobs are available.
That is followed by an interview with the future soldier either in the office, or at their home.
"It really depends on what's comfortable for them. And also, we like to have the parents involved -- even if they're over 18 -- because parents matter," said Sgt. Rosen.
The Future Soldiers Program is for people who have enlisted and are waiting to leave for basic training. Those who haven't enlisted yet and are interested in what the Army is about are also welcome to participate. Every Wednesday at 5 p.m. they meet at the Carpentersville office for training.
Staff Sgt. Charles Risch is the Future Soldiers squad leader and his job is to lead those soldiers to the day they go to basic training.
"He lets them know things we do and do not tolerate, because we want to be known as having high moral standards," Rosen said.
"We live a values-based life in the Army. We live by seven Army values, which are loyalty, duty, respect, honor, integrity, personal courage and selfless service. He teaches them that by using those, we can become better citizens before we leave and when we get to the Army at basic training, we're already a step ahead.
"It's what sets us apart. People come to the Army, in a lot of ways, to improve themselves."
So on Wednesdays, the training can include anything from map reading, military time, marching skills, saluting, customs and courtesies, and physical training.
Risch also addresses concerns from families and loved ones, and works closely with high school guidance counselors if the future soldier is still in high school.
"If they're a C student, within a quarter he expects to see them as B students," Rosen said. "It just shows that next level of commitment, the next level of self improvement. He lets the counselors know, I want you to challenge this young man because he's part of us; he's a member of the Army now."
You can reach the Carpentersville U.S. Army Recruiting Station at (847) 426-0430.
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