116th BCT celebrates over 650 reenlistments at special ceremony

Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart, 116th Brigade Combat Team commander, administers a ceremonial oath to Sgt. Casey Seckel, the Task Force 1-148 Field Artillery soldier identified as the brigade's 500th reenlistment, on September 14 at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq, as part of the unit's celebration of over 650 combat zone reenlistments. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Jack White, 116th BCT Public Affairs)  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

09.19.2005

Courtesy Story

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FOB WARRIOR, Iraq -- The 116th Brigade Combat Team held a special ceremony September 14 at Forward Operating Base Warrior to celebrate achieving over 650 in-theater reenlistments while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

Since arriving in theater in December 2004, 116th Brigade Combat Team soldiers have reenlisted in record numbers, beating previous in-theater reenlistment records by a large margin. The unit has achieved 654 combat-zone reenlistments as of September 11, 2005.

"On April 14, we had 237 Soldiers who had re-upped since we had arrived to theater in December 2004," said Sgt. 1st Class Jim Blake, the non-commissioned officer in charge of retention for the brigade. "We decided to more than double that by the 14th of September and established "The Record 500" goal, or simply, "R5." All concerned picked up on the challenge and by the 11th of August we were at 511."

Blake said reaching the goal was inspired by another National Guard unit that attained a record-breaking number of combat reenlistments earlier this year.

"Part of our motivation along the way was the 256th BCT from Louisiana," said Blake. "On the 20th of July this Guard brigade made the Stars and Stripes with what was at the time a new theater record of 400 Soldiers extending. We knew we could beat this and we have!"

The ceremonial re-swearing in was held in front of the 116th BCT headquarters at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Warrior, Iraq. One soldier was designated to represent all of the soldiers and the oath was administered by Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart, 116th BCT commander, in front of a large formation of reenlistees.

"I am proud to stand with each of you"American patriots who know that the protection of democracy requires personal commitment and sacrifice," said Gayhart during his remarks following the swearing-in event. "Your continued service brings great credit upon you, but most importantly honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom."

Besides the honored reenlistees and Brig. Gen. Gayhart, distinguished guests at the event also included 42nd Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, 42nd ID Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Fearnside, 116th BCT Command Sgt. Maj. Leroy Lewis and 116th BCT task force commanders and command sergeants major.

After the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a cake and ice cream social at the installation swimming pool.

The 116th BCT has been deployed to Iraq since December 2004 and has been the lead since February of this year in aiding Iraqis in Kirkuk Province in the areas of security, governance, economics and communications. The 116th BCT is comprised of headquarters and staff sections, two armor battalions, a mechanized infantry battalion, a support battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, and various intelligence, signal, and specialized units. The 116th BCT is one of several Army National Guard units deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.

• Date Taken: 09.19.2005
• Date Posted: 09.19.2005 13:58
• Story ID: 3060
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ