7th Eng. Bn. re-enlist soldiers in Afghanistan

Photo By 1st Lt. Jeffrey Balka | U.S. Army Sgt. Courtney Doss from Fayetteville, N.C., congratulates Spc. Marcellaus Simmon from San Diego, on his re-enlistment. Simmons re-enlisted March 6, with a group of 13 other soldiers from the 7th Engineer Battalion at Forward Operating Base Shank.  

LOGAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

03.05.2012

Courtesy Story

18th Engineer Brigade

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The 7th Engineer Battalion from Fort Drum, N.Y., held a re-enlistment ceremony for 14 of its soldiers at Forward Operating Base Shank, March 5.

Within the same week, the battalion had an additional nine soldiers re-enlist at several outlying FOBs.

Due to the impending force reductions scheduled to take place in the Army, it has become more difficult for soldiers to reenlist.

Several years ago, the option to reenlist was based almost completely on the decision of the soldier. At that time the goal of the Army’s retention plan was to keep as many soldiers as possible.

As of March 1, this process however has changed. Re-enlistment strategies are now aimed to keep a smaller percentage comprised of the best qualified soldiers in the Army. The soldiers who reenlisted were given the opportunity to do so because their leaders believe they have what it takes to be the Army’s next generation of leaders.

During the ceremony, the 7th Eng. Bn. commander, Lt. Col. Mark Quander from Alexandria, Va., administered the oath of enlistment. Prior to the oath, Quander spoke on the exclusiveness of the military during a time of war and explained the significance of reenlistment under the Army’s new retention system.

Following the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Tiffany Kwiecinsky, the senior medic with the 7th Eng. Bn., from Tucson, Ariz., commented, “The changes in reenlistment have been for the greater good of the Army. The criteria you have to meet to even be considered eligible to reenlist already sets you apart from your peers.”

Kwiecinsky went on to explain that because the new system is so selective, it ensures that those soldiers who are able to re-enlist will maintain the traditions and high standards that made the United States Army great.

• Date Taken: 03.05.2012
• Date Posted: 03.30.2012 11:30
• Story ID: 86014
• Location: LOGAR PROVINCE, AF