Army National Guard joins forces with Cobb County Police in PaYS program in Austell, Ga.

Cobb County Police and the U.S. Army signed a partnership agreement today at the Cobb County Police Training Academy located at 2435 East West Connector in Austell, Ga. Signing the document were Brig. Gen. John T. Gentry and Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer.

The U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program guarantees soldiers five job interviews and possible employment after their service in the Army. It is designed to help soldiers prepare for a career after the Army by connecting them with employers who understand the skills, discipline, and work ethic that military service members possess.

Swearing in was conducted by Brigadier General Gentry. 

Wingcom Watchdog talked to Gentry and VanHoozer after the ceremony.

Brigadier General John T. Gentry, Jr. , Assistant Adjutant General, Army National Guard, Marietta, Ga since August 2019

(Motto: Always ready, always there.)

Q. Okay. It's General Gentry. I just was listening to some of your remarks today, and you were talking about skills that you're looking for, I guess for new recruits, people going into the Army. One of the things you said is they need to make sure that they don't have any behavioral health or drug problems and that they are physically fit. So I just wanted to ask you, how can you guarantee that recruits are mentally, ethically, and culturally fit to serve? 

A. Well, it's a great question. So as part of the screening process, as part of the in-processing that we would do, all of our initial recruiters do some initial screening. Is there a history of some type of behavioral health issues when they were growing up? Or obesity factors? That might come into play as they're doing the initial assessment. All soldiers have to do this before they actually enlist into the Army.

So that oath and enlistment that we did, they would go to a medical processing center which there's one here in Atlanta. It's called MEPS, and that's where they do an actual physical, you know, of their capabilities to be able to serve in the Army. 

And that goes for really all military services. All branches have some type of in-processing that's very similar, and so from there, once they've seen a doctor, who determines them physically fit to come into the Army, that's when they would actually do their enlistment at that point in time. And then they literally, right after that, they’re shipped not too long after that to do their basic training.

Q. I'm glad you mentioned that because we've been noticing, you know, some of the officers, they're out of shape ...  but they have to wear all that gear and run around... 

A. Yeah, the older you get, the harder it is but we have a fitness test that we all have to meet, minimum height and weight standards as well to continue to serve.

 Q. What about flat feet? 

A. Yeah. So that could be a factor that screens one out. You're absolutely right. So someone who has extreme flat feet, that can be problematic for them. With the expected load that the body is supposed to carry into a combat scenario environment. So someone who has extreme flat feet could be screened out as part of that medical physical process. 

Q. Yeah. I know my stepfather wanted to be a Tuskegee Airmen, but he was colorblind so he couldn't do that. So I guess you have to have rules. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have another interview.

Interview with Chief Ernest Stuart VanHoozer, Jr. , Cobb County Police, Marietta, Ga since 2022

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Q. This present political environment with activists all up in the air about some things that have been happening in community policing, some activists are saying partnering with the Army could be considered more militarization of the police. How can citizens know that they're not going to be at war with the police?

A. Well, first of all, I’ve never heard one of our community members ever bring anything like that up. So, I’m not sure who has asked you that. We have standards in place in our hiring standards, a very thorough background check and you know, we're trying to make sure that we hire good people, no matter their background. 

So if somebody from the military came into our profession, they would have to meet the standards that we set and we have a good training program after that which is a second step, to train officers to interact with citizens. 

And then finally, we have an accountability program after that where we have policies, we have sergeants and lieutenants that make sure that the conduct of the officers is what we want it to be. We believe in community policing and military people actually have many of the same qualities that we're looking for - self-sacrifice, a commitment to something bigger than themselves, bravery, courage. 

But overall, what I think I see that's common is a desire to do good for American citizens and for American society. So, I believe that it's a good partnership. I believe that. Bringing in people from the military is a positive move, not that bringing people into the police force is just a matter of, well, you were a soldier, so now we're good with you being a police officer. No, we still do a psychological background check. We still do a very thorough polygraph. We do drug testing and a background investigation. So, does that make sense? That kind of answers your question, which makes sense. 

Q. We were watching the funeral yesterday of Mr. Tyre Nichols, and a lot of things were coming out that I think a lot of people in the community are concerned about, and so we don't really know where this is going to lead. But, of course, citizens want to feel safe. 

A. Yes ma'am.

Q. I was interested in the gentleman (veteran) on the crutches. He said he gets very emotional, because it's an emotional job. What you guys see and have to deal with... And that's one thing we want to make sure that the police officers get some kind of help with some mental health program because they have to deal with all these crises …And, so, I guess you agree with that?

A. Oh, 100 percent. In fact, over the years, we've grown our internal mental wellness programs. We have a robust chaplain's program. We have a robust peer support program. We have a mentoring program, in addition to all the other stuff that's already there. We have, the county has an employee assistance program. And we're even growing that more. And I have a deputy chief that's actually in charge of looking at, not only mental wellness, but financial wellness and physical wellness. So yes, we're 100% in agreement.

Q. The gentleman (veteran) also said, I can't remember his name, but he said that only one percent of the police probably are bad police, so 99% are good. That's not a bad percentage. 

A. Yes, ma'am. Every department has a little bit different culture. I can tell you that if we had one percent that we were aware of, they wouldn't be working here. That would be seven bad officers. 

That's too many. I think he was being kind of generic with that. We acknowledge that there are bad actors in any profession. But, yeah, no, we understand that and we just are happy that the community and Cobb County understands that we have a professional department here and the likelihood of what you just saw or what you have seen across the nation is pretty slim here, but that's because of great people that we hire, and great leadership over a number of years, and great county leadership. 

Q. We really appreciate you. 

A. So yes ma'am, thank you. Very good to see you guys. I'm sorry. I am in a little bit…

Q. Okay, that's okay.