Alton Welcomes New National Guard Recruiter

Our Daily Show Interview! Illinois Army National Guard

ILLINOIS - SFC Victor Hernandez with the Illinois Army National Guard wants community members to know that the military is an option for them.

“It’s completely changed my life,” he said. “It’s just been awesome.”

Hernandez joined the National Guard 18 years ago. He has enjoyed working with the state and federal governments.

He explained that he recently moved to Alton and started working as a recruitment specialist in the Alton National Guard office. He is determined to engage with the Riverbend community, with a focus on developing relationships.

“I want to get plugged in,” he said. “I want to build relationships. I want to build the presence of the National Guard in the community so they know not only are we the military, but we serve locally. Every day, we’re firefighters, police officers, teachers. You name it. You don’t know who might be in the Guard, because we serve part-time.”

National Guard members have the option to work full-time, but many choose part-time so they can pursue other career paths. The National Guard is called upon to serve in different circumstances.

For example, Hernandez remembers distributing defibrillators and COVID-19 tests during the pandemic. He has also served during natural disasters, like floods. The circumstances change, but Hernandez’s commitment to the National Guard is unwavering.

“When the state calls us up for natural disasters, humanitarian missions, or local events, parades and stuff like that, we’re always ready to answer that call and to serve the state,” he said. “The federal side is whenever the nation calls us to defend. We’re ready. But there’s so many different facets.”

Nowadays, Hernandez serves as a recruiter. He often talks to high school students about the benefits of the National Guard, or he helps them navigate how to enter the military.

In every conversation, Hernandez looks to build a relationship. He grows close to his mentees and enjoys watching them succeed in the military.

“If they’re genuinely interested in joining the military, I want to know why. How can the National Guard help this individual to use it as a stepping stone to just propel them into success? So I just get to know them,” he said. “That’s paramount to anyone, to any organization, to anything in life, is just building relationships.”

If you’d like to know more about the National Guard or Hernandez’s work, he encourages you to reach out at 618-910-2199 or via his Instagram profile.

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