Photo By Sgt. A.M. LaVey | Sgt. Troy Sims, a human resources sergeant with the human resources directorate,...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – Amid a palm grove and a sparkling blue pond, fed by the ancient Euphrates, 126 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines renewed their enlistment contracts to continue in the service of their nation here Oct. 5.
“Today we have the opportunity to keep some of America’s finest on our team,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Earl L. Rice, senior enlisted advisor to the deputy commanding general for operations, United States Forces – Iraq. These service members are the absolute best and are committed to protecting America’s freedom as well as the people of Iraq, he said.
The majority of the soldiers who reenlisted are from the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division, both out of Fort Bragg, N.C., and the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
These soldiers’ “dedicated service has played a key role in the accomplishment of our mission,” said Rice. They “have faced some very tough challenges throughout this year here in Iraq – and have been there every step of the way: conducting route clearance patrols, counter-improvised explosive device patrols, training our partners - the Iraqi Security Forces, transferring equipment and bases over to the ISF and the Government of Iraq. None of this would have been possible without the quality of service men and women that we have here.”
The contractual obligation that comes with reenlisting is serious business, affecting service members and their families. Many of those reenlisting today were first-term service members choosing to continue past their initial obligation.
“These young people are starting to notice that [the military] is a life of service and sacrifice but it is also a noble profession and they desire to serve – because they want to serve their country,” said Sgt. Maj. Mark W. Mayo, the USF-I command career counselor. “They understand their country is at war and so they raise their right hand to stay on the team.
There are many benefits to re-enlisting while deployed, including a lump sum, tax-free bonus.
The majority of these service members did receive a little extra bit of tax-free money, but more importantly – they got to keep their jobs, said Mayo.
All services have been charged with trimming their forces and reenlisting is not as easy as it has been these last few years.
“We had a personnel surge in 2007-08, adding more than 43,000 to the Army and now we have to taper those numbers off by next year,” said Mayo. “It is a going to be a difficult time as we are trying to shape the force, but it is also a great opportunity, giving us the chance to retain only the highest quality soldiers - raising the quality of the force.”
Sgt. Troy M. Sims, a paratrooper with the XVIII Airborne Corps and human resources sergeant with the USF-I personnel directorate, was one of the soldiers who reenlisted.
“I reenlisted to take care of my family, there is nothing really out there in the civilian world,” he said. “The military has taken care of us these last few years, so I am going to keep serving.”
Six of the service members were married – to each other. One of the couples who re-enlisted was Cpl Sean and Spc. Kayla Revell, both of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
“This is definitely a huge thing for us,” he said. “This sort of thing doesn’t happen for many people and the fact that we got to do it together, downrange, in an operation like this - is kind of a big deal and it will be a memory that we will have forever,” she said.
This will most likely be the last mass, joint re-enlistment ceremony, as American forces are reducing their presence in Iraq to meet the established end-of-year deadline.
“No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but tonight Americans everywhere can sleep under a blanket of security provided by those of you who re-enlisted today,” said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Helmick, deputy commanding general for operations, USF-I. “So on behalf of America and Americans everywhere, who really have no idea of the significance of your decisions today, I thank you.”
| Date Taken: | 10.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2011 10:10 |
| Story ID: | 78221 |
| Location: | AL ASAD AIR BASE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 80 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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