36 Cobra Soldiers re-enlist in central Baghdad

Photo By Spc. Jason Dangel | FOB PROSPERITY, Iraq – Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, raise their hands and recite the oath of re-enlistment during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Prosperity Oct. 3. Thirty-six Soldiers from the 4th BCT re-enlisted inside former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein's Presidential Palace, in the International Zone in central Baghdad. The mass re-enlistment marked the brigade's first large scale retention event since the start of the new fiscal year Oct. 1.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.03.2006

Story by Spc. Jason Dangel 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

by Spc. Jason Dangel
4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

FOB PROSPERITY, Iraq – Thirty-six Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, re-enlisted inside former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's Presidential Palace in Baghdad's International Zone Oct. 3.

The mass re-enlistment marked the Brigade's first large-scale retention event since the beginning of the new fiscal year Oct. 1.

Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, commanding general, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, made a surprise visit to read the oath of reenlistment as the "Cobra" Soldiers swore once again to serve and defend the United States of America.

"I have been in the Army 32 years," Thurman said to the Soldiers gathered inside the large conference room. "There hasn't been one minute during that time that I haven't enjoyed serving with Soldiers like you."

Thurman congratulated each Soldier and presented each a commanding general's coin in appreciation for their service.

Each Soldier was also given the opportunity to tell their CG why they continue to serve in the Army.

"Staying in the Army was the best thing for me and my family," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Cruz, personnel noncommissioned officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th BCT.

"The Army has taken care of me, and I plan to make it my career," added the 9-year combat veteran from El Paso, Texas.

In August, the 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div. became the first brigade combat team in the 4th Infantry Division to complete its re-enlistment goals, to include initial-term, mid-term and career Soldier reenlistees for fiscal 2006, said Sgt. 1st Class Keith Green, brigade career counselor, 4th BCT.

"We were actually prohibited from re-enlisting any more initial-term and career Soldiers until Oct. 1 since the Army had met its retention goals," Green said.

During that time, Green and the retention team re-enlisted approximately 600 Soldiers, surpassing objectives set forth by the Department of the Army.

"As we enter the new fiscal year, our goal is to reenlist as many qualified Soldiers who are eligible to receive a deployment bonus before we return to Fort Hood," Green said.

As the 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., approaches the end of its mission and the beginning of redeployment, and as re-enlistments continue, Green said he and the Cobra Retention Team will continue to provide proactive retention guidance to ensure all Soldiers receive the most up-to-date career information.

For more information on reenlisting to stay with the Cobra Brigade or career opportunities, Soldiers can contact the 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Retention Office.

• Date Taken: 10.03.2006
• Date Posted: 10.24.2006 15:49
• Story ID: 8130
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ