Maine Team Named Best DEERS/RAPIDS site in the U.S.

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AUGUSTA, ME (05/17/2017) (readMedia)-- Augusta, Maine – The Maine Army National Guard received the 2016 Site Excellence Award for Defense Enrollment Eligibility System and Real-time Automated Identification System in an award ceremony held at Camp Keyes today.

As of February, there were over 1,600 DEERS/RAPIDS sites worldwide, including deployable computers and those on ships. Each year the Defense Manpower Data Center selects one site to be recognized for excellence based on certain criteria and recommendations. This is the first time that an Army National Guard site has received this award.

"All of the benefits that are available to service members, veterans and their families would not be accessible without these systems and the services these offices provide," said Michael Sorrento, the Director of Defense Manpower Data Center. "This is a mission, and there are people this mission benefits, and there are people, like the two we are here for today, that make this mission successful."

Ms. Rhonda Bonenfant, and Sgt. Davis McKenney are the site security managers for the Camp Keyes location. Bonenfant has over 12 years of experience working with DEERS and RAPIDS for Maine and McKenney became certified in 2013. The two were recognized for their contributions and continuing efforts to improve the customer experience when they need to work with DEERS/RAPIDS.

During the evaluation period, Oct. 1, 2015 through Sept. 30, 2016, the MEARNG location issued 1,534 Common Access Cards, and 3,758 Teslin Identification Cards. They provide service to over 3,500 National Guardsmen, State employees, contractors and over 10,000 retirees and their dependents in the resident area.

"I am consistently proud of our Maine National Guard team when different segments of our workforce are recognized," said Brig. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard. "This accomplishment is another example of how our team is committed not only to excellence, but pride in taking care of our Veterans and their families."

According to the Col. Michael Pooler, Deputy Chief of Staff- Personnel for the Maine Army National Guard, Bonenfant and McKenney continue to go above and beyond what is outlined in their job descriptions. Bonenfant works many drill weekends to support deploying units, and both often work late to accommodate Soldiers and families who are unable to make the pre-established hours of operation and accept phone calls from other operators to assist Soldiers that had weekend emergencies.

For additional information, please contact SSG Angela Parady, 207-430-5322, or ng.me.mearng.list.public-affairs@mail.mil

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(170517-Z-SC231-9936) Ms. Rhonda Bonenfant and Sgt. Davis Mckenney accept the 2016 Site Excellence Award for Defense Enrollment Eligibility System and Real-time Automated Identification System award from Michael Sorrento, the Director of Defense Manpower Data Center. Camp Keyes is the first Army National Guard site to receive this award. (Maine Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Parady)

(170517-Z-SC231-9942) Michael Sorrento, the Director of Defense Manpower Data Center presents the 2016 Site Excellence Award for Defense Enrollment Eligibility System and Real-time Automated Identification System to Brig. Gen Douglas A. Farnham, Adjutant General for the Maine National Guard. Camp Keyes is the first Army National Guard site to receive this award. (Maine Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Parady)