Illinois Army National Guard’s ‘Honeybadgers’ Earn Top Recruiting Honors for Third Consecutive Year
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS – – The H Company “Honeybadgers” of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion have been recognized as the Company of the Year for an unprecedented third year in a row. The announcement was made at the battalion’s annual awards banquet in Springfield.
The “Honeybadgers,” based in Woodstock, Illinois, distinguished themselves in the last fiscal year by enlisting 204 Soldiers. Their success extends beyond sheer numbers, however, as the unit fostered a culture of excellence that resulted in a near-sweep of the battalion’s major individual awards, taking home six of the eight top honors.
Several members of the company were individually recognized for their outstanding contributions. Staff Sgt. Francisco Orozco was named Recruiting and Retention NCO of the Year. 1st Sgt. Matthew Serowka earned the title of First Sergeant of the Year. Sgt. 1st Class Chad Wille was recognized as Team Leader of the Year, Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Ramos was awarded Rookie of the Year and Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Booher received the Readiness NCO of the Year award.
According to 1st Sgt. Serowka, the unit’s sustained success is rooted in its unique and empowering culture. “I strictly do culture,” Serowka said. “I believe in empowering them – getting them fully hyped, fully energized.”
This emphasis on a positive and supportive environment is echoed by the Soldiers within the company. Staff Sgt. Chanc McEstes, last year’s “Rookie of the Year,” described the unit as “very family oriented,” noting that team members frequently connect outside of duty, “We’ll text each other on the side or hang out and play video games together.”
Sgt. 1st Class Wille emphasized the importance of a shared goal. “When everyone has a common goal, individual success is for the team,” he said, highlighting the collaborative spirit that drives the “Honeybadgers” to excel.
The Illinois Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion plays a vital role in maintaining the strength and readiness of the force. The battalion is responsible for recruiting and retaining qualified individuals to serve in the Illinois Army National Guard, ensuring This proves prepared to fulfill both state and federal missions.
The “Honeybadgers'” achievement comes at a time when recruiting faces ongoing challenges. Their consistent success demonstrates the power of a strong unit culture and dedicated leadership in attracting and retaining talented individuals to serve their state and nation.
