News Release: JAG-K Students Visit Fort Riley, Learn About Military Careers

Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) students were introduced to career opportunities in the military via a day spent at Fort Riley.

On Sunday, June 11, National Guard soldiers demonstrated various weapons and technical equipment to JAG-K students and staff, as well as providing the group a tour of the base.

JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades 6-12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. JAG-K provides opportunities for students to explore careers through employer engagement relationships. Those experiences may include field trips, job shadows, internships and summer or part-time employment. 

“This activity with the Kansas Army National Guard is a great example of serving our students year-round,” said JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp, who attended the event with the students. “Although school dismissed in May, we continue to provide support and learning opportunities throughout the summer months. That is just one of the reasons this evidence-based program is so successful.”

JAG-K students from high schools across Kansas were transported to stations on the base. They gained hands-on experience with medical and communications equipment and observed heavy artillery practice.

“Everything they showed us – the binoculars and the radar equipment that they let us use – that was all super cool,” said Jaden Exantus, a member of the Junction City High School JAG-K group. “The way the soldiers described their jobs seemed interesting.”

Meeting the JAG-K contingent during the tour was Kansas Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins and Kansas Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Michael Venerdi, who oversees the Kansas National Guard.

“The JAG-K program provides wonderful education and career opportunities for students in Kansas and does an excellent job preparing them for success in the future,” Hawkins said following the tour of Fort Riley.

Kansas’ 104 JAG-K programs serve more than 5,500 students in 49 school districts across the state. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model.

Last year more than 900 JAG-K participants graduated from high schools across the state. The program educates them on a broad range of career fields, including opportunities in the military.

The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 38 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, EagleU, Evergy, Goldstein Charitable Trust, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, John Deere, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, Royals Charities, Synchrony Financial, the Taco Bell Foundation, the City of Topeka, United Way of the Plains and Walmart.

To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, and on Twitter at @JAG_Kansas.

Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas (JAG-K) students were introduced to career opportunities in the military via a day spent at Fort Riley.

On Sunday, June 11, National Guard soldiers demonstrated various weapons and technical equipment to JAG-K students and staff, as well as providing the group a tour of the base. Meeting the JAG-K contingent during the tour was Kansas Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins and Kansas Adjutant General Brig. Gen. Michael Venerdi, who oversees the Kansas National Guard.

JAG-K is a multi-year, in-school program for students in grades 6-12 that offers tools to successfully transition students into post-secondary school, the military, or directly into the workforce with marketable skills. JAG-K provides opportunities for students to explore careers through employer engagement relationships. Those experiences may include field trips, job shadows, internships and summer or part-time employment. 

“This activity with the Kansas Army National Guard is a great example of serving our students year-round,” said JAG-K President and CEO Chuck Knapp, who attended the event with the students. “Although school dismissed in May, we continue to provide support and learning opportunities throughout the summer months. That is just one of the reasons this evidence-based program is so successful.”

JAG-K students from high schools across Kansas were transported to stations on the base. They gained hands-on experience with medical and communications equipment and observed heavy artillery practice.

“Everything they showed us – the binoculars and the radar equipment that they let us use – that was all super cool,” said Jaden Exantus, a member of the Junction City High School JAG-K group. “The way the soldiers described their jobs seemed interesting.”

Kansas’ 104 JAG-K programs serve more than 5,500 students in 49 school districts across the state. Participants in the program face multiple barriers to success that their JAG-K Career Specialist helps them overcome through a nationally-accredited, evidence-based model.

Last year more than 900 JAG-K participants graduated from high schools across the state. The program educates them on a broad range of career fields, including opportunities in the military.

The 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization is a state affiliate of the national JAG program network which operates in 38 different states and territories. It is primarily funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant to the State of Kansas administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). In addition to school districts and DCF, JAG-K partners with the Kansas Department of Education. Other JAG-K funding sources include ADM, AT&T, EagleU, Evergy, Goldstein Charitable Trust, the JB and Anne Hodgdon Foundation, John Deere, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Gas Service, the Kansas Insurance Department, the Kansas State Bank Commissioner, Royals Charities, Synchrony Financial, the Taco Bell Foundation, the City of Topeka, United Way of the Plains and Walmart.

To learn more about JAG-K, visit www.jagkansas.org, ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates-Kansas’ on Facebook, and on Twitter at @JAG_Kansas.