Rohrer recognized at patching ceremony at Camp Dodge

A Red Oak native was recently recognized at a recent ceremony at Camp Dodge.

Pvt. Keegan A. Rohrer was part of over 50 Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers recently recognized during a patching ceremony held at the Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center in Johnston.

This ceremony represents a time-honored tradition, where Iowa Citizen-Soldiers officially receive the left-shoulder military patch representing their unit of assignment in the Iowa Army National Guard.

It also marks completion of the Iowa National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program, a preparatory training program that provides new recruits the education and skills needed to excel during their Army Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (military school).

These Soldiers represent today’s Iowa Army National Guard, which consists of 7,000 Citizen-Soldiers based in more than 40 communities across the state. Pvt. Rohrer now becomes a member of the 831st Engineer Company in Keokuk.

By completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, Pvt. Rohrer is now eligible for the Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grant (NGEAP), a state-funded tuition assistance program for Iowa National Guard members who attend Iowa community colleges and four-year colleges and universities, both public and private. Under this program, Iowa National Guard members will receive tuition payment up to 100 percent of the State Regents’ rate, an amount up to $7,108 per academic year.

Pvt. Rohrer is also eligible for the Reserve Component GI Bill, which pays a soldier up to $600 per month while attending college, technical or vocational trade schools. And Pvt. Rohrer will also receive monthly drill pay and 15-days of paid duty each year for Annual Training.

More information about the Iowa National Guard can be found at facebook.com/IowaNationalGuard.