CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The New Hampshire National Guard reports 2007 was one of its most successful recruiting years in modern history.

The Army Guard and Air Guard enlisted more than 470 men and women. The 350 enlistments for the Army Guard was the 13th highest in the nation.

“We are seeing a new generation of men and women who are joining us for the right reasons,” said Maj. Gen. Kenneth Clark, the Guard’s adjutant general. “They want to serve their state and nation. For some, that means helping in their communities and for others that means going overseas.”

Several years ago, the Guard struggled with the active duty military to meet recruiting goals, primarily because of the effect of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2006, the New Hampshire Army Guard was at its lowest membership in two decades, with just more than 1,600 members.

Today, the Army Guard has more than 1,770 soldiers and the Air Guard has more than 950 members.

Clark believes credit for the surge is the National Guard response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and several Guard activations to help after flooding in the state.

And Lt. Col. Ralph Huber, commander of Recruiting and Retention, said the Guard also changed the way it tried to attract recruits, dropping programs and activities that didn’t work – such as bake sales and displays – and turning to those that brought results.

“I remember walking past a Guard display at the Deerfield Fair that had a fat guy eating a hot dog and across the way was an active duty recruiter with a rock climbing wall,” he said. “Which one would you wait in line for?”

The Army Guard began dynamic displays, such as a $12,000 inflatable obstacle course, to market the physical fitness and team building aspects of the military.

Previously the only service provided to local high schools was a career direction course with aptitude test, resume builders and job interview tips.

Last year, the Guard used the obstacle course with a dodge ball arena for physical education while continuing the instructional classes.

Current members also have new incentive to refer possible recruits.

The program offers $2,000 for each referral that results in an enlistment. More than 500 NH Guardsmen have signed up for the two-year-old program, generating more than 150 new enlistments with another 250 in the pipeline.

AP-ES-02-01-08 1435EST