Sherman Man Takes Command of Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention

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Maj. Mark Alessia of Sherman, the incoming commander for the Illinois Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Command, hands the battalion’s colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Higgs

SPRINGFIELD, IL (10/15/2010)(readMedia)-- Maj. Mark Alessia of Sherman took command of the Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Command after a change of command ceremony Oct. 14 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

He steps into the shoes of Lt. Col. Clayton Kuetemeyer of Chatham who served as the battalion's commander for two and a half years.

Alessia served as mobilization readiness officer for Illinois National Guard operations and training department before becoming the Recruiting and Retention commander. For Kuetemeyer's next assignment he will be the deputy commander and operations officer of the Bilateral Embedded Support Team A7 scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in 2011.

Command officials of the Illinois Army National Guard, family members and fellow recruiting Soldiers attended the ceremony.

"Recruiting Command is about commitment," said Kuetemeyer. "This is not a nine to five job. Our successful recruiters have an independent drive to achieve their mission."

Recruiting and Retention Command missions are very unique in nature, said Kuetemeyer. It demands a special type of dedication from its Soldier and most of all its commander.

"Whether it is getting up at three in the morning to drive an applicant to the Military Entrance Processing Station, having your dinner interrupted by phone calls from prospects and parents … There is no off-duty time as a recruiter."

Kuetemeyer said he has known Alessia since they were both cadets with the University of Illinois Reserve Officer Training Corps. He said they have worked together often over the years.

"I take a lot of joy knowing that Mark Alessia has assumed command today," said Kuetemeyer. "He has got more recruiting experience than any other officer in the Illinois National Guard, and he's familiar with all the facets of the organization."

Alessia said he has worked proudly with Kuetemeyer over the years. He said this was roughly the third time he had followed Kuetemeyer in a mission assignment.

Alessia said he looks forward to his new duty as a commander and building on the progress Kutemeyer made during his two and a half years leading Recruiting and Retention.

"Command is one of those jobs every officer aspires to," said Alessia.

Recruiting and Retention strengthens the number of those who serve and will serve the Illinois Army National Guard, he said.

"It is one of those positions that you have a large span of control, one where you manage individuals over the entire state," said Alessia.

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Story and photo by Sgt. Michael Camacho, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office Please extend the cutline to: Maj. Mark Alessia of Sherman, the incoming commander for the Illinois Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Command, hands the battalion's colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Higgs of Altamont, the battalion senior enlisted adviser, during a change of command ceremony Oct. 14 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Alessia assumed command over the state's recruiting and retention offices.