NOTE: Saturday June 14 is the 250th anniversary of the United States Army.. This is the second of two stories in honor of their anniversary.
As the U.S. Army marks its 249th anniversary this weekend, Staff Sgt. Richard L. Hon, station commander at the Hutchinson Army Recruiting Station, is reflecting on nearly two decades of service—and encouraging others to consider the opportunities military life can offer.
Born in Indiana and raised in Illinois, Hon joined the Army in 2008 at age 21. At the time, he was looking for a new direction after college didn’t feel like the right fit. The Army offered a way out of Illinois, a path to eventually pursue education, and the chance to fulfill a long-standing interest in military service.
Now with 17 years under his belt, Hon is based in Hutchinson, where he’s been stationed since January. He leads recruiting efforts across a broad swath of central Kansas—from Great Bend to Medicine Lodge.
“It's a nice change of pace,” Hon said of the move to Kansas. “It’s slower than what I’m used to, but it’s been working out well for me and my family.”
Hon transitioned into recruiting in 2018 after being promoted to staff sergeant. Initially a three-year assignment, he chose to make it a full-time role due to the family-friendly schedule.
“The tempo of the job worked better for the family at the time,” he said. “So I decided to make the change, and have been doing this ever since.”
Recruiters like Hon help prospective soldiers explore a wide array of service options, from full-time active duty to part-time service in the Army Reserves. While he doesn’t handle National Guard enlistments—which are managed by state-specific recruiters—Hon said the Army offers more than 150 military occupational specialties, with job selections made before a recruit signs their contract.
“If you can think of a civilian job, the Army probably has a version of it,” Hon said. “And it’s guaranteed in your contract before you sign. You’ll know where you’re going for basic, what your advanced training will be, and often where your first duty station will be.”
For those looking to advance further, Officer Candidate School (OCS) is an option for individuals with—or approaching—a four-year degree. Those selected can commission as officers after completing basic training and OCS.
Hon himself has served most of his career in just a few locations—a rarity in the Army. He spent 10 years at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, before recruiting assignments in suburban Chicago, Indianapolis, and now Hutchinson.
The benefits of Army service remain a key draw, Hon said. For active-duty soldiers, that includes free housing, meals, medical and dental care, and up to 30 days of paid vacation annually. Both full- and part-time soldiers can receive education benefits through the post-9/11 GI Bill, which can also be transferred to dependents.
Family healthcare is another major advantage. “It’s about $31 a month for full medical and dental for dependents—with no co-pays if you’re in-network,” Hon said.
While walk-in traffic at the Hutchinson office may only average a few per month, Hon said many interested individuals connect through goarmy.com, where users can request information and get matched with a recruiter.
With three years left until retirement eligibility at 20 years, Hon said he hopes to continue for a total of 24 years in the Army. For now, he’s focused on helping others find their path.
“If someone’s unsure what they want to do, I really encourage them to come in and have a conversation,” Hon said.
The U.S. Army will celebrate its 249th birthday on Saturday, June 14. Hutchinson’s Army Recruiting Station is located at 1506 E. 17th Avenue, Suite B, next to Starbucks.
For more information about Army careers, visit goarmy.com or call the Hutchinson office.