Photo By Spc. Steven Johnson | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Clarence Raby, the acting division command sergeant major...... read more read more
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CHICAGO - The 1st Infantry Division returned to Chicago to take part in a town hall with local high school students, visit the First Division Museum at Cantigny, and host a reenlistment ceremony at the United Center before the Bulls game January 12-15, 2023.
Soldiers from the division, accompanied by the Chicago Recruiting Battalion, visited four schools in or near the Windy City, where they engaged with students in a variety of topics ranging from goal setting to planning for life after graduation.
The school visits spanned two days. The Big Red One Soldiers split into two groups to engage with four different schools. On the first day of the visit, one group of Soldiers spoke with students from Waukegan High School, and another group visited Joliet Central High School. On the second day, Soldiers spoke with students from Gurdon S. Hubbard High School in the morning followed by Bogan Computer Technical High School in the afternoon.
"I wanted to return (to my hometown) because I know what it feels like to be stuck with no hope of ever getting out. I wanted to be able to show them that there are options and a bigger world out there," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nikolas Borrego, a recruiter at the Crest Hill Recruiting Station. "It is important to talk to these students so they know there are options to become part of something bigger."
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Clarence Raby, the acting division command sergeant major, who was also in attendance, spoke about how important it is to plan for and work toward your future while still in school.
The day following the school visits, the Soldiers attended a tour of the First Division Museum in Wheaton, Illinois. They received a first-hand experience of the division's history, accomplishments and feats.
"It was intriguing and gives me a sense of pride to see that NCO's (Non-Commissioned Officers) back then made such an impact on how the Army is ran today," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brenton Scott, a career counselor assigned to the 1st Infantry Division.
On the final day of the visit, the group attended a Chicago Bulls exhibition match against the Golden State Warriors at the United Center for a reenlistment ceremony to honor service members of 1st Inf. Div.
Before the game, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Niave F. Knell, the 1st Infantry Division deputy commanding general of support, led the reenlistment ceremony.
"Being from Illinois, it was an awesome experience to reenlist here at the Bulls game, and it's great that the Army could provide an opportunity like this for me and my battle buddies," said Sgt. Blayke Sharp, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.
After the reenlistment ceremony, Knell and Raby presented gifts to the Chicago Bulls’ business development manager, Greg Morrissey, for allowing the division this opportunity.
"During this four-day trip, we had 20 Soldiers engage with the community of Chicago to provide a better understanding of the Army opportunity, life, and experience," said Raby. "Our Soldiers got to experience four days of Chicago, reenlist at a professional basketball game, and spread the good message of the United States Army. This trip was a great opportunity for the Army to demonstrate its relationship with its community.”
| Date Taken: | 01.15.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.02.2023 15:47 |
| Story ID: | 439077 |
| Location: | CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Building A Relationship: 1st Infantry Division Soldiers Spend Week Within Community, by SPC Steven Johnson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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