RIGHT: Albany Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Kelly Clark, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Janice Gravely, Sam Newland of the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center, DeMolay members Andrew Prescott and Timothy William Nogueira, and Minneapolis Battalion Commander Lt. Col John Hinck yell “Army Strong.” BELOW: Alex Dyer of Marshfield, Mass., talks with Minneapolis Battalion Commander Lt. Col. John Hinck during a break in the volleyball competition at the Massachusetts DeMolay convention.
I encouraged them to make their lives rewarding by being of service in something greater than themselves, whether that’s by making a difference in your school, church, community, or serving your country, but to make a difference.” “He got the guys on their feet singing in Army cadence and thinking about their future and what it means,” said Brian Noble, executive officer for Massachusetts DeMolay. “I’m in my 50s and I walked away thinking about what I was doing to make a difference. I think he did a great job connecting not only to active members but to the adult advisers as well. Many of the adults came away feeling better about their service to the young men of their community.” The talk inspired 17-year-old Adam Azanow from Natick, Mass., who is considering ROTC. “Seeing real Army officers, noncommissioned officers and their enthusiasm for what they do fueled my interest in the program further, because seeing the Army’s support in real life, not just on the news or in paper, made a big difference for me and many of the members in attendance. By seeing the similarities in our [values] and how we try to get our members to lead better lives, helped me to realize the Army is not only protecting us, but it is trying to develop the character of its Soldiers and officers, and helping the surrounding communities. I want to use the skills that DeMolay has taught me and encompass the values I learned from the Army into my life, because by living by those values and precepts I am living a better life making my community better.” Hinck’s intent when invited to speak was to be a role model and show the young men there’s a logical path from serving in DeMolay to serving in the Army “They could see I was a DeMolay at one time like them. Now I’m in the Army doing productive things because of what DeMolay taught me. But once we were there, I realized there was a lot more interest in serving in the Army than I originally anticipated. We ended up with three leads, and I think more will come out of it,” said Hinck. Hinck also participated in all the convention activities with
the members, which included a volleyball tournament, a tug of war competition and rock wall climbing and joined them at every meal. Albany Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Janice Gravely and Command Sgt. Maj. Kelly Clark also gave presentations about their Army careers, Army opportunities and benefits and provided a dog tag machine. The U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick showcased body armor and MREs (Meals, Ready to Eat). “I think they will make good Soldiers,” said Gravely. “This is an impressive organization and the kids are phenomenal. They’re well mannered, disciplined, law abiding and articulate, and must maintain these characteristics to stay active in DeMolay. They already have our Army Values.” Hinck has been invited to attend DeMolay’s executive officer conference in March. He sees this as an opportunity to create a formal partnership with Masonic youth groups such DeMolay, like the one USAREC developed Kiwanis International. “I’d like to see how we can partner together because, obviously, they make good candidates for potential enlistment and the Army provides a great moral compass for them as well as mentors for the kids.” SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 | RECRUITER JOURNAL | 33