A new National Guard recruiting office, located at 1000 Bridge St., Lehighton, will be manned by national competitor for soldier of the year, Specialist Mark Fuggiti. The post will serve the Lehighton, Jim Thorpe, Palmerton, Northern Lehigh, Northwestern Lehigh and Northampton areas.

Anyone visiting the recruitment center in Lehighton should expect to enter a relaxed but professional atmosphere where any questions about the National Guard will be answered. As a recruiter, Fuggiti will be there to inform and encourage potential applicants, as well as visit schools and job fairs.After winning first place in the state and regional level, SPC Fuggiti, 28, qualified for nationals in the Soldier of the Year Competition. The regional competition, which was held at Fort Pickett in Virginia from May 17 to 20, pitted him against soldiers representing Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and Delaware.The winner of the national competition will stand as a model of excellence for soldiers nationwide.Fuggiti will compete against seven other national guardsmen, eight army reservists, and eight active soldiers at the national competition in July, at Fort Benning in Georgia.SPC Fuggiti has served in the National Guard for two and a half years. His inspiration to join the National Guard came from his family's involvement with military service. His father and grandfather were both active in the army and he was inspired to follow suit.To him, the most rewarding part of his job is selfless service to the community and the public's gratitude. He also appreciates maintaining a civilian life while serving his country and community.Staff Sergeant Victor Arocho is Fuggiti's work supervisor and his mentor for the competition."Mark is an honorable, professional, trustworthy, and selfless individual. He has a lot of heart, and that is what it takes to be great soldier. I am not surprised that he made it this far in the competition, but I am very proud." Arocho said."When I found out I made it to nationals, at first I was relieved that my training had paid off," said Fuggiti when interviewed at the National Guard recruitment office in Whitehall. "That relief was replaced with excitement and pride that I would be representing Pennsylvania and the region at the national level."In Fuggiti's opinion, his strengths include his professionalism and his expansive military knowledge. It is those strengths that, he feels, will make him the most competitive candidate for this honor. He credits his training and service for refining his discipline.The competition consists of six stages that repeat themselves at the state, regional, and national level. The contestants start with a physical fitness test that involves two minutes of push-ups, two minutes of sit-ups, and a two mile run.Stage two requires that each soldier pass a weapons qualifications test. They are provided an M16-A2 rifle with 40 rounds for 40 targets.The third stage requires that each participant find five checkpoints using a map, compass, and protractor in a six square kilometer land navigation course. After locating all five points on the map in order, each soldier must complete a six-mile march with a 30-pound ruck sack on his/her back.In stage five the soldiers must break down and reassemble six weapon systems. The final stage is a military board exam, which puts the candidates in front of a military panel where they must answer more than 40 questions on military knowledge.Fuggiti looks forward to the competition. He hopes that his participation in the competition will show potential applicants how far service can take them.He is excited to serve as a recruiter in Lehighton and he hopes that potential recruits will know that the National Guard provides one with boundless opportunities."I find that the most fulfilling part of service is the ability to maintain a civilian life and raise a family while serving your country and community," he said.For more information about National Guard or the Soldier of the Year Competition contact Fuggiti at (610) 984-3643 or Arocho at (484) 515-1330.