Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry | Indiana National Guard Col. David Wood, Task Force 38 commander, left, re-enlists Army...... read more read more
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq -- While on deployment many Soldiers' enlistment time had come to an end, and some chose to continue their military career.
With economic stimulating programs in place and the chance to make lasting memories, several Task Force 38 Soldiers re-enlisted.
"Bonus. There's a bonus that's available to traditional National Guard Soldiers who are in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait," said Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. Lee Ann Hiser, the Task Force 38 retention non-commissioned officer.
The National Guard bonus was $5,000 if a Soldier signed a six-year contract. It was given in a lump sum, and it was also tax free. Yet Hiser noted other benefits.
"They get to stay in the Guard that's their bonus," she said. "That's the biggest thing."
According to Hiser there are many other benefits to being a National Guard Soldier: college tuition payments, loan repayments, dental insurance, life insurance and medical insurance.
"Just having those benefits right now, those are a lot of pluses," said Hiser. "I don't see why you'd get out at a time like now when people don't have jobs."
It's not only Guard Soldiers who collected the re-enlistment bonus, but also active-duty and reserve Soldiers.
Four active-duty Soldiers with the 597th Ordnance Company, which was attached to the task force, re-enlisted while on their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
One of those four was Sgt. Demetrius Scott, Gadsden, Ala., and a supply sergeant with the 597th.
"First of all I re-enlisted because one, with the jobs and economy in the real world it was better for me and my family for me to stay in the military," said Scott, who has a wife and son. "Two, I played sports in high school, and with the military there's that team aspect too; it just works for me."
Scott, who has been in the Army for nine years, signed up for six more years. As an active-duty Soldier his deployment bonus was $8,000.
Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. John Brattain, LaPorte, Ind., and a Company D, 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment technical inspector, re-enlisted for future benefits and possible advancement. He has served more than 20 years in the military, and he signed up for six more.
"I wanted to have longevity," said Brattain, who planned to submit his packet for warrant officer candidate school when he returns from his deployment.
His re-enlistment ceremony took place atop an aircraft shelter here, and he said he had fond memories of that event.
"It made it feel like I was really here, in Iraq, and part of something special," said Brattain, who was given the oath by his friend and fellow Soldier, Chief Warrant Officer Bill Leonard, Task Force 38's material manager. "You could see the whole base up there; it's surreal," said Brattain.
The 597th's non-commissioned officer-in-charge here also had a memorable re-enlistment ceremony.
"I was thinking for this event I might as well have somebody senior to re-enlist me," said Sgt. 1st Class Jorge Camara-Falu, Carolina, Puerto Rico. "And since my home station brigade commander isn't here, I decided on Col. Wood," said Camara-Falu of choosing the Task Force 38 commander, Col. David Wood.
"It's really the first time I got re-enlisted by a senior officer," said Camara-Falu. "He's a nice person. It's good to have a full bird ... not too many Soldiers have an O-6 re-enlist them."
Whether memorable moments or monetary gain, Soldiers had something to take back home with them after their deployment.
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.23.2009 02:34 |
| Story ID: | 41903 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 416 |
| Downloads: | 357 |
This work, Soldiers continue long, winding road, re-enlist while in Iraq, by MSG Jeff Lowry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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