RECRUITERS REOPEN

The U.S. Army Recruiting Center is now open for business again in Copperas Cove, after being closed for several years.

 

On Wednesday, the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce and the recruiting center’s staff held a ribbon cutting and grand reopening ceremony.

 

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Adam Kimmich was present from the Dallas Recruiting Battalion and said a few words about why the facility had closed, and the Army’s decision to reopen recruiting centers.

 

“Several years back, the Army decided to kind of pull back on some of its recruiting efforts and changed the methodology. They took recruiting centers out of the communities, but a couple of years ago, they temporarily opened as a sort of forward center, but not as an official recruiting center.

 

We realized as a command the only way you can be part of the community, is to be in the community. So the Army finally made the smart decision to move the recruiting centers back into the community. and that is what we are here to celebrate today.”

 

Kimmich called the recruiting staff the “connective tissue” between the Army and the community, and how through their stories, they can make that connection.

 

“They each have their own story. I have my own story. It starts with somebody telling their story, how they decided to join the Army. It has an impact on the next generation of soldiers,” Kimmich said.

 

“Without that relationship, I was telling the chamber of commerce, all the civic organizations and the nonprofits, that network that exists in the community is our best tool.”

 

He also spoke of the leadership skills and training those in the Army receive get brought back to their communities after leaving the service, and that it is key for employers to tap into the resources the veterans bring to the community.

 

Mayor Frank Seffrood Seffrood spoke during the ceremony, specifically welcoming the recruiters back to the city and asking them to stay for good this time. He also compared the Army now, to what it was when he first enlisted.

 

“When I came in the military in 1956, for $58 a month, free room and board and all the clothes you needed, that was a deal. We’ve come a long way,” Seffrood said. He also welcomed the center back to the community. “Please stay, because we like people to stay here. And if you’re at that point in your military career where this is your last assignment, please consider staying here for good. We need some more good citizens.”

 

After the remarks, two members of the First Cavalry horse detachment passed off the ceremonial scissors to Ward, and both he and Seffrood cut the ribbon to reopen the facility.