KANSAS CITY, Mo. –
As Kansas City rises to national prominence as a designated “Tech Hub,” the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion is building meaningful connections with students, educators, and innovators across the region through a dynamic series of STEM-focused outreach efforts.
From commanding the floor at high-energy robotics competitions to demonstrating the Army’s most advanced technology in local high schools, the battalion is actively showing how careers in the U.S. Army are fueled by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
According to Lt. Col. Crystal Jones, commander of the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion the Army’s intent is to strategically tap into this growing ecosystem by highlighting the wide range of STEM career paths available to today’s Soldiers.
This spring, Liberty Company recruiters supported three major FIRST Robotics competitions—the Central Missouri Regional , Heartland Regional , and Greater Kansas City Regional—reaching more than 2,350 high school students and hundreds of mentors, educators, and parents. At each event, Recruiters highlighted real-world Army career paths through live demonstrations, information booths, and networking efforts.
“These events aren’t just about exposure—they’re about integration,” said 1st Lt. Benjamin Steger, Recruiting Operations Officer for Liberty Company. “We’re building long-term relationships within Kansas City’s STEM ecosystem and aligning our messaging with the innovation economy these students are stepping into.”
That ecosystem is largely championed by the KC STEM Alliance, an independently operated initiative housed at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The Alliance supports programs like FIRST Robotics and Project Lead The Way (PLTW), which collectively reach more than 97,000 students annually. Now under the leadership of Dr. Chelsea Barbercheck, a scientist and strategic alliance builder, the organization is doubling down on partnerships that link education to workforce readiness—including military careers.
“Kansas City and the surrounding region’s designation as a 2023 Tech Hub brings a real opportunity to leverage resources for students in a way that builds long-lasting synergy for the region’s workforce development across multiple STEM fields,” Barbercheck said. “By instilling design thinking and problem-solving skills that prepare students for jobs of the future, this alliance is changing lives and building a foundation for innovation in our region.”
That vision came to life on April 1, when Overland Park recruiters teamed up with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, to deliver a hands-on robotics demonstration at Spring Hill High School in Spring Hill, Kansas. The event, organized by Overland Park Station Commander Staff Sgt. Bettincourt, attracted hundreds of students and faculty members who experienced Army robotics in action.
Staff Sgt. Riley Deskis, one of the Recruiters on site, said the event helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
“Most of these students had never seen anything like the EOD robot before,” Deskis said. “When we explained that Soldiers use this technology every day to save lives, it really clicked. You could see their curiosity turning into genuine interest.”
Beyond school events, the battalion is deepening its footprint in the broader STEM community. Liberty Company recruiters are embedding themselves as mentors and supporters in the KC STEM Alliance network, which includes over 2,000 coaches, educators, and volunteers. Through ongoing collaborations with the American Society of Military Engineers (ASCE), the Society of American Engineers (SAME) and local schools, Army personnel are engaging with both students and the professionals who guide them.
Recruiters have also begun exploring opportunities to earn Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) credit or Project Management Professional (PMP) experience hours through their mentorship roles—further professionalizing the Army’s involvement.
With Army branding now present at robotics competitions, high school campuses, and regional STEM coalitions, the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion is turning outreach into opportunity—reaching young minds where inspiration strikes.
As Staff Sgt. Deskis put it, “We’re not just telling students about the Army—we’re showing them how they can be a part of something bigger, something that uses their skills to make a real impact.”