SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Sgt. Joshua Isom, of Chicago, was sworn into the Illinois Army National Guard Aug. 3 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield to become the first Marine to Guard Program enlistment.
The Marine-to-Guard Program started approximately four months ago. Previously, National Guard career counselors were only found at active duty Army and Air Force bases around the country.
At the start of the Marine-to-Guard Program, a National Guard career counselor was placed at the Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton in California. The counselor speaks with Marines leaving active duty about joining the Army National Guard. The program provides Marines more options for continuing their service.
While in the U.S. Marine Corps, Isom served at multiple embassies to include Brazil, Cairo, Pakistan and Stockholm.
Isom enlisted as a 68W, combat medic, and will be assigned to 708th Medical Company based in North Riverside, Illinois.