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Nebraska Army and Air National Guard meet and exceed national recruiting missions for 2026

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Gov. Jim Pillen announced at the State Capital on Monday that the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard both met and exceeded their annual recruiting missions.

For 2026 fiscal year, which ran from October 2025 thru September 2026, the Nebraska Army National Guard successfully recruited 326 enlisted Soldiers into its ranks. According to the Nebraska National Guard, this was the Nebraska Army National Guard’s best recruiting year in more than 20 years.

The Nebraska Air National Guard successfully accessioned 160 Airmen. It is believed to be the highest number of accessions in a single year in Nebraska Air National Guard history, breaking a similar record set last year.

“I am in awe of the people that serve. I am in awe of the work that they do,” Governor Pillen said. “They are the ultimate public servants.”

Gov. Pillen said this year’s recruiting results say much about the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard, as well as the state’s young citizens who have volunteered to serve in the Nebraska National Guard.

“This organization is off the chart when it comes to teaching leadership skills, learning discipline, learning to communicate, learning to do the best that you can,” Governor Pillen said. “My view is this is a monumental achievement…and I want to thank and commend all of our new Soldiers and Airmen for their willingness to volunteer and join the ranks of our Nebraska Army and Air National Guard.”

Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska adjutant general, said this year’s recruiting success is the result of many different factors: this included new and expanding missions, increased benefits and incentives, significant National Guard visibility and focused efforts across the Nebraska Army and Air National Guard recruiting force.

“We are extremely gratified by this year’s results,” said Maj. Gen. Strong. “This took a complete team effort to accomplish. From the work of our Army and Air Guard recruiters and support staff, to the individual efforts of our Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen who have willingly served in extremely important missions in support of our State and Nation, everyone had a part in making this year a success.”

According to Lt. Col. Dan Fritz, commander of the Nebraska Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, this year’s recruiting success was particularly welcome considering the importance of Nebraska Army National Guard’s state and federal missions.

“The Guard requires a healthy flow of personnel to simultaneously support missions at home – domestic emergency or disaster response – and abroad – global operations and partnerships,” he said. “The Guard relies on community integration. Strong recruiting ensures that local units stay active, funded and capable of protecting their home states while building local leadership and discipline.”

Fritz said the recruiting success was particularly strong in three military specialties: infantry, cavalry scout and military police. Together, those three specialties saw a total of 130 new enlistments.

According to Maj. Keyona Sanchez, Nebraska Air National Guard Recruiting and Retention commander, this year’s efforts in the Nebraska Air Guard were particularly important considering that the organization is continuing to grow, including at Offutt Air Force Base where Nebraska’s 170th Group has expanded.

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