Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Katherine Dowd | Soldiers of the 167th Infantry Battalion who were part of one of the largest extension...... read more read more
ANNISTON, Ala. - After a long weekend of training, 100 Alabama Army National Guard soldiers extended their military contracts during one of the largest Extension Ceremonies Alabama has ever had. Sunday at Fort McClellan, Ala., soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry Regiment gathered at the parade field to be a part of the ceremony honoring their fellow soldiers who extended their contracts.
The entire battalion was at Fort McClellan conducting training for their upcoming deployment. “This is the first time in years that the battalion as a whole has been activated for deployment,” said Staff Sgt. James Smith, retention specialist, Fort McClellan. “We had 100 soldiers who extended their contracts at the ceremony and more keep coming.”
The soldiers were extending their contracts so that they could go on the deployment with their unit. These devoted soldiers show true camaraderie.
“I really appreciated the ceremony,” said Staff Sgt. Ed Sims, 167th Inf. Headquarters out of Talladega, Ala. “It honored the soldiers, and that’s always very important.” Sims, an Ashland, Ala., native, was one of the 100 soldiers who extended his contract during the ceremony.
The 100 soldiers stood in their own formation and raised their right hands and swore in once again, as they all have before. After swearing in, each soldier was presented a “Coin of Commitment” by two first sergeants. The coins represent what their superiors and comrades commit to them.
“I will be available to you at anytime …” is one of the commitments that is printed inside the coin’s case. “… at one time I was in your shoes and have the same questions you currently have.”
The seven Army Values are also printed inside the coin’s case. They are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. These soldiers exude the Army Values to the highest degree.
| Date Taken: | 04.10.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.21.2011 13:48 |
| Story ID: | 69122 |
| Location: | ANNISTON, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 190 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Soldiers extend contracts, exude Army Values, by SFC Katherine Dowd, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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