55 Strike Soldiers re-enlist during ceremony in Baghdad

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines salute the U.S. Flag during a re-enlistment...... read more read more

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Hunter | Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines salute the U.S. Flag during a re-enlistment ceremony at the Al Faw Palace on Camp Liberty on July 4. The event marked the largest re-enlistment ceremony in history, with 1,215 U.S. troops recommitting themselves to protecting America.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.04.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – "In serving our nation in war, you are following the footsteps of millions of brave Americans who have done so before you for some 232 years since our founding fathers declared America's independence on this day in 1776," said Gen. David Petraeus, a native of Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y., who serves as the commanding general of Multi-National Force – Iraq.

With 1,215 U.S. troops standing before him at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory on July 4, Petraeus gave the oath of enlistment, marking the largest re-enlistment ceremony in history.

Of those 1,215 troops, 55 were Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

"Through your sacrifice and commitment, through your professionalism and skill, you are adding a proud new chapter to the already rich history of America's military service," said Petraeus, a former commander of the 101st Abn. Div. "It is clearly a case of serving something larger than self and it is impossible to calculate the value of what you are giving to our country."

Though America's military has been at war in Iraq for more than five years, Soldiers continuously answer their nations call to duty.

"There is no place that I would rather be to celebrate America's birthday than right here with you in Iraq while we're engaged in the enormously important task of helping the Iraqi people make the most of the precious gift the coalition gave them in 2003, their freedom," said Petraeus.

Petraeus said these men and women have been engaged in a greatly important endeavor, enduring crushing sandstorms, brutal heat, a barbaric enemy, long separations' from loved ones, and lost or injury to comrades in arms, but continue to fight the good fight.

For Staff Sgt. Danny Chappell, a native of Timmonsville, S.C., who has two children and a wife back home at Fort Campbell, Ky., his re-enlistment really defines the value of today's all-volunteer force.

Since 2003, Chappell, who serves with Company C, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, has been deployed three times to Iraq as an infantryman pushed forward in the fight against terrorism.

In 2003, he was apart of the initial invasion, critical in taking key battlegrounds, toppling the Saddam Hussein regime, and beginning the rebuilding of Iraq from ground up. He would again deploy in 2005 and 2007 with the Strike Brigade.

Now, with him battle tested and as knowledgeable as any infantryman, Chappell will become a drill sergeant, where he will take his knowledge and skills and train the next batch of Soldiers who desire to don the Army Combat Uniform and push forward in this fight against terrorism.

"I am going to instill in the Soldiers the discipline and the motivation it takes to become successful in a combat environment," Chappell said. "I am going to teach what has kept me alive the last three times I have been over here," which is his trust in his brother to his left and right.

So why did he choose re-enlist? Well, for obvious reasons.

"I love doing what I do, which is teaching Soldiers," Chappell said.

For Master Sgt. Travis Trotter, a native of Batesburg-Leesville, S.C., his choice for re-enlisting was clear.

"I took the oath to continue to support and defend a nation at war on the very day that America declared independence and a new nation was born," said Trotter, who serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div.

Trotter, who re-enlisted indefinite, served on active duty for ten years before making the choice to transfer to the reserve component. However, after seven years in the reserves and two deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, he made the choice to come back on active status.

"I missed the day-to-day contact with Soldiers. You don't realize at times that you have a profound impact on the lives of so many people," he said.

That decision, just as this one was to re-enlist indefinitely, would not be possible without the support and strength from his wife Suzanne.

"She has been right by my side with every decision that was made. Without her none of what I do would be possible. I have a great respect for a spouse that makes the choice to support their servicemember," he said.

Since the beginning of the deployment, October 2007, nearly 450 Strike Soldiers have re-enlisted, though the allure of military life is not very glamorous in the eyes of many.

"In many cases Soldiers accomplish great things for little recognition. Much of what is performed is never rewarded or even mentioned," Trotter said. "An American Soldier just continues to strive for excellence with the knowledge that they are doing a great dead for a grateful nation."

"Soldiers re-enlist for a variety of reasons. Some take the opportunity to complete educational goals while others do it for duty, honor, and country. Whatever the reason may be, the Soldiers in the Army are proud of what they accomplish on a daily basis," Trotter continued. "They remain committed to excellence no matter where they are or what the undertaking may be. That commitment came out today with the re-enlistment of over 1,200 service members."

This is an obvious sign the Soldiers of the brigade, and troops around the world are ready and willing to continue their fight against America's enemies.

According to Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, the MNF-I senior enlisted leader, "We're committed, we're strong and we're united. A message can be sent to your adversaries. 'Hey, the same guys who have been kicking your butt for the last five years have signed up for some more.'"