MEET YOUR RECRUITER
I’m SGT Barks.
I joined the Missouri Army National Guard at 17. Now I get to help students and families in Southeast Missouri figure out whether the Guard fits their goals — without pretending it is the right answer for everybody.
MY STORY
I joined at 17 because I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
That is the simplest and most truthful way I can put it. I was still in high school and I did not have some perfect five-year plan. I did not know exactly what career I wanted, where I wanted life to take me, or what I would be doing years later. I just knew I wanted to start building something for myself.
The Missouri Army National Guard gave me a direction while I figured the rest out. I started as a young Soldier, learned how to be responsible for more than just myself, gained experience, traveled, continued my education, built a career, and eventually became an NCO and a recruiter.
Today, I am building a life here in Southeast Missouri too. I am a husband, a homeowner, and I am preparing to become a dad. Those things matter to me because when I talk to a student about their future, I am not looking at the Guard as a brochure. I am looking at it as one of the tools that helped me build my own life.
That does not mean my path should be your path. It means I understand what it feels like to be 17 or 18 and hear everyone ask, “What are you going to do after high school?” when you genuinely do not know yet.
If your answer right now is “I don’t know,” that is okay. Mine was too.
HOW I RECRUIT
I want you to understand the decision before you make it.
No pressure
My job is to explain the opportunity, answer questions, and help you understand the commitment. I would rather you make an informed decision than feel pushed into one.
Parents are welcome
If you are still in high school, I want your family to understand what you are considering too. Questions from parents are part of the process.
Real numbers
College, career, and benefit conversations should use realistic numbers. That is why this site includes tools to compare costs, debt, career pay, and different paths.
Real answers
If I do not know an answer, I would rather verify it than guess. Eligibility, benefits, bonuses, jobs, and training availability can change.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME
I’m not here to make your decision for you.
Recruiting involves a big decision, and I take that seriously. I will explain what I know, show you where the information comes from when it matters, and tell you when something needs to be verified instead of guessing.
I also will not promise you a specific job, bonus, benefit, school payment, or outcome just to get you interested. Jobs and incentives depend on qualifications and current availability. Education programs have eligibility rules, deadlines, and funding requirements. If something changes, I want you to know that before you make a decision—not afterward.
“I know what it is like to be the 17-year-old on the other side of the table. I want you to understand what you are choosing before you choose it.”
— SGT BarksA NOTE TO PARENTS
I want you involved too.
If your son or daughter is considering the Guard, I understand why you have questions. You should. Military service is a real commitment, and parents deserve more than a sales pitch.
When I work with a high-school student—especially someone who is 17—I want their family included in the conversation. I want you to ask about Basic Training, school, college benefits, their job, deployments, the contract, and anything else that concerns you.
My goal is not to get around a parent’s concerns. My goal is to help the whole family understand what the student is considering so everyone can make an informed decision.
Visit the Parent CenterWHAT I ACTUALLY DO
More than sitting behind a desk.
These are real photos from the schools, enlistments, workouts, and Guard events I am part of in Southeast Missouri.
WHY THIS WEBSITE EXISTS
I wanted something more useful than a recruiting flyer.
A student might care about college. Another might care about a trade, job training, healthcare, or just getting out of their hometown for training and coming back with a skill. Parents usually have completely different questions.
This site is meant to let you explore those things first. You can use the college calculator, look at jobs, check basic eligibility, learn about the ASVAB, or read what happens next — before you ever have to talk to me.
“If the Guard fits your goals, I’ll help you understand how. If it doesn’t, I’d rather you know that too.”
— SGT BarksREADY TO TALK?
You do not need to know what to ask.
Tell me what you are trying to do after high school, and we can start there.
NEXT STEP
Want to talk to the person behind the website?
Start with your goals. You do not need to know what to ask yet.