Continuous News

MSU student first recruit at new Bozeman Air Guard office

Posted: Jan 23, 2013 5:43 PM by Jamie Leary
Updated: Jan 24, 2013 12:05 PM

For Bozeman's younger community members the option to serve is now close to home. On Wednesday, a New Air National Guard recruitment office opened its doors in the Gallatin Valley Mall. The first recruit? Matt Hronek, a freshman at Montana State University.

Hronek plans to finish his degree but also wants to follow in his father's footsteps. His father is the 120th fighter wing commander and on Wednesday, he he was proud to swear his son in as a new Airman First Class.

"I have five kids, he's my youngest son and I think it was really neat that that he kind of said, ‘ah ya know my dad's not totally wrong' and this is a great way to serve," said Matt's father, Colonel Peter Hronek.

Recruitment officials hope the new location will attract more students and community members

"We're in an excellent location so we're excited to be acquiring people from the MSU locations, around the mall the schools the high schools. It's a great community they've been wonderful, very accepting to have us here," said TSgt Jessica Gaukler.

For Matt, this big step hasn't quite sunk in but he knows it will soon...

"Probably when I go to my first guard drill in a month."

If Matt he has any problems, he probably won't be complaining to his father...

"It's pretty crazy to think that one day I'm gonna have to salute him."

This is the 3rd satellite recruiting office in the state. The other two offices are located in Missoula and Great Falls.