NYS Broadcasters highlight citizen soldiers on July 4th

BINGHAMTON, NY ( WIVT/WBGH ) – Ahead of our nation’s Independence Day, New York State broadcasters are highlighting local citizens who fight to keep the peace.

Greater Binghamton’s branch of the New York Army National Guard is the 204th Engineer Battalion, operating out of the West End Armory in Binghamton.

Our local battalion is mainly made up of civil engineers and heavy-duty construction equipment.

Rarely, the soldiers are deployed onto active duty, but are often mitigating weather disasters like floods or storms.

A recruiter with the 204th Engineering Battalion, Maia Tripp, says when she’s recruiting, there’s a misconception that the National Guard is only part-time.

“We’re really focused on helping our own communities right here at home. Whether that be natural disasters, floods, helping Buffalo dig them out every winter. We aren’t necessarily that active-duty component that goes off whenever the government tells us to, but we still have the same opportunities and benefits of being full-time military,” says Tripp.

Tripp says there’s a monthly drill on the weekends and two full weeks of training in the Summer.

With July 4th on Thursday, Sergeant Nakalunk Buhtani says the holiday is a reminder for all service members, to remember the big picture.

“A reminder, as to ‘hey, you serve one of the best countries in the world. This is the day we all were free. Let’s fight for that freedom and let’s keep that freedom intact,” says Buhtani.

Tripp says the National Guard will pay 100% of SUNY tuition plus offers great insurance plans.

She says the National Guard offers part time service with full-time benefits.

To apply, look up the Binghamton National Guard .

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