Photo By Sgt. Danielle Rodrigues | Soldiers from 640th Support Battalion with the Honorable Douglas A. Silliman, American...... read more read more
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On April 3, 14 Soldiers from the 640th Aviation Support Battalion, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, travelled from Camp Buehring, Kuwait, to the American Embassy in Kuwait City to extend their service commitments by taking the Oath of Extension.
The American Ambassador to Kuwait, the Honorable Douglas A. Silliman, administered the oath.
“I believe it’s important to recognize Soldiers’ commitment to the organization," said Lt. Col. Timothy Vincent, commander of the 640th ASB. "We will go the distance to make those commitments special for them.”
It all began last January when Spc. Peeranut Butrakunha, an automated logistics specialist in Company A, 640th ASB, requested that his commander administer a six year Oath of Extension for him. His commander suggested that the reenlistment ceremony be done at the American Embassy to make it as memorable an experience as possible. Butrakunha liked the idea, and his company executive officer, 1st Lt. Ernesto M. Pagulayan III, began coordinating a ceremony with the Embassy and the Office of Military Cooperations-Kuwait.
Staff Sgt. Sandra X. Lopez-Fierros, the 640th ASB Battalion’s retention noncommissioned officer reached out to see if other Soldiers from the battalion would like to reenlist or extend their enlistment contracts at the embassy. 14 Soldiers in total volunteered to take their oaths at the ceremony.
“Soldiers enlist for love of one’s country," said Vincent. "They reenlist for the love they have for their organization and their fellow soldiers.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Dannie Bergeron from the Office of Military Cooperation-Kuwait and Ms. Michelle Allen, the American Embassy chief of protocol met with the 640th ASB Command Sgt. Maj. John E. Ousley, Pagulayan and Lopez-Fierros at the American Embassy March 30 for a site visit and rehearsal.
On the morning of April 30, the participating Soldiers and guests arrived at the Embassy for the ceremony. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Silliman presented the newly sworn-in Soldiers with Certificates of Appreciation. Vincent gave Silliman a Certificate of Appreciation as special thanks for giving the troops a truly memorable moment in their Army careers.
“A reenlistment ceremony with a U.S Ambassador is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Ousley said. "I was happy to support my Soldiers with this event."
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2016 13:25 |
| Story ID: | 202483 |
| Location: | KUWAIT CITY, KW |
| Web Views: | 870 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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