Sergeant First Class Brandon Duke enlisted into the National Guard in January of 1999 and has spent the last five year as a recruiter here in Oklahoma. As a Recruiter and Career Counselor, SFC Duke works an area in and around Okmulgee servicing towns such as Beggs, Liberty, Mounds, Henryetta, Dewar, Wilson, Morris, Preston and more. For SFC Duke, what makes the Oklahoma National Guard a great place to work are the men and women he serves alongside.
“We truly care and want nothing but success for each other. One weekend a month we are soldiers, but when not in uniform we are anything from Oklahoma Highway Patrol, EMT/Paramedics/ Fireman, RNs, Physical Therapists, high school teachers, full-time college students, welders, plumbers, electrical lineman, diesel mechanics, business owners, and many more professions,” said SFC Duke.
As a recruiter, SFC Duke has an opportunity to meet and help new recruits grow into valuable members of a great team.
“I grew up with the same challenges these kids face. I played sports on several of these fields and courts. I have friends and family in the school systems where I work. Helping young men and women understand that their life story may start in small town Oklahoma but can go where they want to take it; identifying that the Guard could be a chapter that may change the whole narrative of the story and assist them in achieving their goals.
During his career with the National Guard, SFC Duke has traveled to places like Belize and Germany. He has deployed overseas as well.
“I deployed to Iraq with the 120th Engineer Battalion, then again in 2008 with the 45th Infantry Division,” said SFC Duke.
A graduate of Okemah High School, SFC Duke spent time at UCO before enlisting. Several family members had served prior to SFC Duke’s enlistment.
“My father, uncle, cousins, and brother were in the guard, so it was an easy decision. I knew I would go back to college after Basic/ AIT and I also knew the Guard would pay for it,” said SFC Duke.
Today, recruits can receive excellent benefits for enlisting into the National Guard.
“The 100 percent free tuition and fees for college is amazing, but I would say the life skills, job training, discipline, personal growth, maturity, and overall respect these young men and women develop during basic training and carry on through their lives and Guard career,” Duke said.
In his free time, SFC Duke said he enjoys hunting and being a dad.
Anyone interested in learning more about the National Guard should reach out to SFC Duke directly at 918-845-6255 or email him at [email protected].
