Ivey Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Guard Recruiting

Governor Kay Ivey on Friday signed Executive Order No. 740, a move aimed at boosting recruiting efforts for the Alabama National Guard and reaffirming the State’s support for its ongoing missions both at home and in the nation’s capital. The action came just ahead of the National Guard’s birthday celebration Saturday.

The Governor’s Order revives the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP), directing the Alabama State Military Department to issue new rules that encourage soldiers, airmen, qualified retirees and other Department employees to help with Army and Air National Guard recruiting. Those who bring a lead that results in a new enlistment will be eligible for financial incentives. Air National Guard recruiting and retention staff also will be eligible for bonus pay if they exceed annual goals.

“We call on the men and women of the Alabama National Guard often, so to ensure Alabama’s force stands ready, we have to continue increasing our support for them,” Ivey said. “As we look forward to celebrating America’s oldest fighting force Saturday, I was proud to sign this Executive Order to ensure the Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program is allowing the Guard to maintain operational superiority.”

The Order also requires an annual performance report to be submitted to the Governor, showing how well the incentives work in strengthening recruitment and retention.

Alabama National Guard Adjutant General David Pritchett said the Executive Order comes at a time of “significant momentum” for the Guard.

“This year marks significant momentum for the Alabama National Guard,” Pritchett said. “Governor Ivey’s Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (JEEP) Executive Order strengthens our ability to recruit, retain and support the talented men and women who choose to serve, ensuring we remain ready to meet any mission.”

He noted that Alabama Guardsmen are serving across the globe and continue to represent the State with “professionalism, discipline and quiet excellence.”

The Order also underscores Alabama’s continued support for the “Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful” mission in Washington, D.C. The first contingent of 191 Alabama National Guard soldiers mobilized in late September and is expected to return home by Christmas. Gov. Ivey has authorized additional deployments of soldiers and airmen to join the effort, with about 200 Guardsmen projected to serve there for roughly 90 days.

In a statement, the Governor tied support for the mission to broader concerns about national security.

“The safety of the United States begins and ends in our Nation’s Capital, and I am proud of the Alabamians serving to support that mission. I thank the men and women of the Alabama National Guard, as well as their families,” Ivey said.

Alabama National Guard forces have been assisting the D.C. National Guard with planning, joint information operations and law enforcement support.

By revitalizing recruitment efforts and backing ongoing deployments, the Ivey administration is aiming to keep the Alabama National Guard ready for missions at home and abroad.

In October 2024, Governor Ivey announced that Alabama would send an additional 125 soldiers from the 152nd Military Police Company to the southern border with Mexico. These Guardsmen were to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations as part of a broader border security effort. At the time of that announcement, the State already had 269 soldiers from the 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (based in Mobile) and the 158th Surface Maintenance Company (based in Tallassee) serving at the border. Those units were beginning the process of returning home in phases as the new contingent deployed.

At that time, Governor Ivey’s office said the new 125-soldier deployment would last about 400 days, which put the expected end of that specific mission around late November or early December 2025. ALPolitics.com has received word that these troops have either arrived home or are in the process of returning, and we hope they all arrive safely.

In total, Ivey has overseen the deployment of more than 500 Alabama National Guard soldiers and equipment to the southern border over time.