Maj. Gen. Curtis Buzzard with Mission BBQ employees Chrissy Keller (Plymouth Meeting), Shannon Sperduto (11000 Roosevelt Blvd.) and Grant Kingstad (Deptford, New Jersey).
American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road, recently welcomed U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Curtis Buzzard for a roundtable discussion and luncheon about the importance of the Army’s recruiting mission.
Buzzard was born at the old Naval Hospital in South Philadelphia and attended Malvern Prep, then received his commission into the Army from the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1992 with a degree in economics. He has been the commanding general of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) in Georgia since July 2022.
“You come to us to be ‘Moore,’ ” he said.
Buzzard noted that the Army has revived its “Be All You Can Be” campaign. He said the Army offers some 250 jobs with good benefits, such as the G.I. Bill, and teaches character, trust, teamwork, leadership, direction and skills. It’s known as the greatest team on earth.
“Be All You Can Be really means that,” he said. “Tremendously talented people come out of the Army.”
Buzzard said the volunteer Army is dealing with hurdles such as physical fitness, legal issues and COVID-impacted academics.
“Recruiting is a little bit of a challenge for us right now,” he acknowledged, adding that a diminished Army is a national security concern.
The Army is about 10,000 to 15,000 short of its recruiting goal. Recruits can receive bonuses and enjoy a sense of security.
Bruce Foulke, president and CEO of American Heritage, hosted the gathering in his conference room.
Ken Wong, a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, Pennsylvania East, rounded up representatives from organizations such as MaST Community Charter School, Roman Catholic, Mission BBQ, the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Police Athletic League and Tuskegee Airmen.
Wong said a civilian/Army partnership can assist in recruiting.
Buzzard said he made the right decision to join the Army and make it a career.
“I wouldn’t still be in the Army if I didn’t love it,” he said.
Buzzard presented local recruiters with Army challenge coins, and the group headed to Northeast High after the event at American Heritage.
For more information, visit Army Staff Sgt. Ikbol Ashurov at Roosevelt Mall or contact him at 848-240-3034 or [email protected].
