Sierra Vista Company

Benson, Arizona - August 18, 2007

   Today, a new Company proudly joined the Arizona Rangers... the Benson Company (Probationary).

   Sponsored by the Sierra Vista Company, the probationary company was approved by the Arizona Rangers Board of Directors, following a presentation by the State Adjutant, Lt. Col. Mike Dennis.

   Any new company, in order to attain probationary status, must begin with five or more fully qualified Arizona Rangers, from other Companies. Then, with a favorable vote of the Board of Directors, they begin a minimum 90-day probationary period, during which they conduct normal Company operations and training, with the oversight of their sponsoring Company.

   Officers have been elected, and will work with their counterparts in the Sierra Vista Company to assure that their accounting, record-keeping, training, and other actions are consistent with existing Arizona Rangers standards.

   The Officers of the Company are:

       Commander:                           CPT  Kevin Rasch

       Secretary:                                1LT Phil Aiken

       Treasurer:                                1LT Kenn Barrett*

       Internal Affairs:                         MAJ Don Hall*

      Training/Duty Sergeant:          MSG Alfred Hirsch

   *Rank  indicated is the result of positions held elsewhere in the Arizona Rangers

   Captain Mike Gerard, Sierra Vista Company Commander, is in full support of the probationary company and has pledged to provide timely oversight to Captain Rasch and his other officers. “I am confident that Captain Rasch will make us all proud,” said Gerard.

   Captain Rasch thanked all Rangers for their support, and began immediately to “spread the word.” Rasch’s enthusiasm is apparently contagious. There are currently 13 applications pending for Benson area citizens wishing to join the new company.