Guard announces Davis hiring to full-time job in RSP program

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Sgt. Darrin J. Davis of East Prairie, Mo., has been hired as a human resources technician in the Missouri National Guard's Recruit Sustainment Program.

Davis, 40, will oversee administrative duties for the program's Company E, which is based in Cape Girardeau. His job includes preparing new recruits for basic training by making sure their paperwork is up to date, as it relates to their military orders, promotions and other National Guard forms. He also is responsible for ordering company supplies and data entry, among other duties.

"He has a great personality," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Schaab, th program's area coordinator and Davis' direct supervisor. "He has excellent people skills and the right kind of attitude to connect with the kids."

The Recruit Sustainment Program is made up of nearly 1,400 new trainees across the state, with the aim of giving newly-enlisted Soldiers a head-start in military matters before they leave for basic combat training. The recruits meet monthly at a drill weekend to prepare for basic. Company E is currently made up of about 100 Citizen-Soldiers.

Davis has a lengthy military background. He served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a helicopter crew chief in New River, N.C., and Tustin, Calif. He was aboard ships that deployed to Liberia, Somalia and the Mediterranean Sea and in the Persian Gulf.

Davis has been in the Missouri National Guard for four years and held another full-time Guard job as the retention noncommissioned officer in Cape Girardeau from 2007-2008. Davis was deployed for 14 months to Iraq with Company C, 1st Battalion/106th Aviation in 2007-2008.

In the civilian world, Davis previously worked for the Union Pacific Railroad.

Davis said he was drawn to the new job because he enjoys working with new recruits.

"I get to be the first impression of the Guard and the military for these guys," Davis said. "I enjoy training new Soldiers. In a sense, we get to shape them and mold them and help them know what to expect at basic."

Davis has a wife, Lynn, and three daughters, Kayla, 22, Oliva, 18 and Brett, 14.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact Scott Moyers at 573-339-6237 or at scott.moyers1@us.army.mil