Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Cupp | Prior to presiding over two 1st Brigade Combat Team ceremonies, Gen. Richard A. Cody...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
CAMP, TAJI, Iraq -- Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Richard A. Cody, took the opportunity to spend some time talking to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division soldiers as well as taking an active role in some of the brigade's ceremonies, Feb. 13.
In his visit to Taji, Cody presided over the reenlistment of six 1st BCT soldiers and in another ceremony he presented four 1st BCT Soldiers with the Combat Action Badge and two with the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
As he began the reenlistment ceremony, Cody said a few words praising the soldiers who decided to reenlist in the combat zone.
"They're reenlisting because they're great Soldiers and great Americans, absolutely dedicated to this mission," said Cody. "They want to stay here and serve with you and to stay Cav. That speaks volumes to their patriotism and the team work you've built here."
"I'm convinced the reason our reenlistment numbers (throughout the Army) are high and the reason Soldiers stay in the Army is because of our leaders," he added.
Cody presented the reenlisting soldiers with pocket-knives and gave coins to the combat badge recipients.
Speaking to a gathering of 1st BCT soldiers immediately after the ceremonies, Cody took the opportunity to praise them for their service.
"You are the most battle hardened Army we've ever had, and the best soldiers we've had serving in the combat zone," Cody said. "You're the most talented and the most patriotic."
Cody added that today's soldiers have something going for them that was not true of the soldiers in previous wars such as Vietnam.
"You're all volunteers and that says something," he said. "We're a strong Army because of all of you.
"You need to know that the Army is behind you, and the people of America are behind you...300 million people are depending on you to defend their freedoms and that makes you special," Cody added. "The Army is proud of you and as Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, I could not be more proud of you."
Over the course of his interaction with the troops, Cody took time to joke with soldiers and presented all of them with coins.
In closing, Cody said one of the things that make the Army successful in accomplishing its mission is the diversity within its military occupational specialties that run a full gamut of career skill sets—citing examples such as cooks, intelligence specialist, cavalry scouts, infantry, and field artillery among many others.
"It takes a team," he said. "All of you – everyone of you – are important."
Spc. Raymond Burke, a personnel service specialist for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, and a native of Kenavo, W. Va., who reenlisted during the general's visit, said it was a memorable experience.
"This was a great opportunity," Burke said. "It's not every day a four-star general reenlists you. It was definitely a surprise and something I'll never forget."
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 02.13.2007 14:02 |
| Story ID: | 9126 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 250 |
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