by Staff Sgt. Les Newport, Indiana Guard Reserves
After years of providing support for deploying units at tterbury-Muscatatuck, Indiana Guard Reserve Soldiers, the all-volunteer auxiliary force of the Indiana National Guard, continue to find new ways to make their presence felt as the state and Military Department of Indiana adjust to new missions and priorities.
“A lot of people in Indiana have no idea there’s an all-volunteer force to back-up the National Guard on domestic missions, but when they find out, they want to learn more. There are hundreds of Guard Reservists working full-time as lawyers and doctors, teachers and salesmen, but we all come together to serve Hoosiers in their time of need,” said Cpt. Terry Heifetz, the IGR public affairs officer.
During the recent Warfighter Exercise at Atterbury-Muscatatuck, a team of IGR personnel helped backfill critical support positions, which allowed several thousand soldiers and airmen to remain focused on the joint service computer simulated exercise staged at Atterbury’s Joint Simulation Training Exercise Center.
One IGR team member, Sgt. Robert Jackson of the east side, contributed his experience as an IGR certified military police officer during the exercise by assisting on patrols with the installation MPs. Together they ensured security and good order paved the way for smooth operations.
“I’ve been working maybe five or six jobs on post. I’ve been (working) at the gym, processing, and working at the USO,” said Jackson. “This gives me an opportunity to wear the uniform, and it’s an honor for me to represent my state and my country. One of my proudest moments was the day I put on the uniform. And the second most meaningful was when I graduated from the state MP academy.”
Cpl. Larry Cooper, also an Indianapolis native from the east side, joined the IGR two years ago after a career in emergency management and firefighting. Cooper said he most enjoys meeting and supporting military personnel from all over the country.
“I’ve met active duty units, guard and reserve units,” said Cooper, “and most of them are interested in (the fact) the IGR is an all-reserve force. I’ve met some really great soldiers coming through. One of them is a sergeant from Africa. He and I have exchanged information, and he’s with the 4th Infantry Division in Colorado.”
The IGR traces its lineage to before the Civil War and was first known as the Liberty Guard, and later as the Indiana Legion. According to Heifetz, the IGR is recognized by state law as the official supplemental force to the Indiana National Guard, according to Heifetz.
“It’s easy to join. We’re looking for people who have served in the armed forces and still want to serve in a different way and those who didn’t get a chance to serve, but want to give back,” said Heifetz. “Anyone interested can check our website at in.gov/IGR for information about how to join.”
