Courtesy Photo | Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the USF-I deputy commanding general for operations and III Corps...... read more read more
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CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Fifty-nine soldiers stood at attention in the rotunda of Al Faw Palace, Oct. 5, raised their right hand and once again swore to protect and defend the constitution of the United States.
Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, United States Forces-Iraq deputy commanding general for operations, administered the oath of enlistment to the Soldiers who decided to continue serving the their nation.
“We have been at war for nine years and in two separate conflicts,” Cone said. “The difference between now and past conflicts is that these two wars are fought by an all volunteer force.
“Because of the devotion to duty and unparalleled professionalism of the Soldiers standing before us today, we are achieving success in Iraq that no one thought possible,” he said. “I am honored to stand before you … and thank you for your courage, commitment and unwavering sense of duty,” he said.
Each soldier in the ceremony had their own motivation for re-enlisting.
For Sgt. 1st Class Jedidiah Wells, of Battle Mountain, Nev., who has been in the Army for 10 years and serves as a career counselor with the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, re-enlisting sets an example of long-term commitment for junior soldiers.
“I think this is a great opportunity,” said Spc. Derek Keith, from Henderson, Texas, a chaplain’s assistant with III Corps. “Not many people get to re-enlist in a palace in Iraq, especially during a mass re-enlistment.”
Spc. Maurice Walter, from Huntsville, Ala., a signal technician with 1st Armored Division, saw it as a way to accomplish two goals at once.
“It gives me a chance to finish school while I’m serving my country,” he said.
After reciting the last line of the oath of enlistment, the Soldiers made a right face and filed onto the stage to receive their certificate, a DCG-O coin, and congratulatory handshakes from both Cone and his senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr.
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2010 08:04 |
| Story ID: | 57810 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 110 |
| Downloads: | 7 |
This work, Soldiers re-enlist en masse at Al Faw Palace, by MSG Joseph Vine, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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