404th Aviation Support Battalion tops $1 million in re-enlistment bonuses

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | Sgt. Sean Troast, wheeled vehicle mechanic, Headquarters Support Company, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, who hails from Kansas City, re-enlists at Camp Taji Jan. 25. Troast re-enlisted for six years, stabilization at Fort Hood, Texas and a $10,500 bonus putting the 404th ASB at more than $1 million in re-enlistment bonuses for Fiscal Year 2009.  

TAJI, IRAQ

01.30.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt 

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt
Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – With the re-enlistment of two "Provider" Soldiers, the 404th Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, topped more than $1 million in reenlistment bonuses for Fiscal 2009 at Camp Taji Jan. 25.

Cpl. Antwuann Goodson, a supply specialist from Tabor, N.C., and Sgt. Sean Troast, a wheeled vehicle mechanic from Kansas City, both from the battalion's Headquarters Support Company, re-enlisted to "Stay Army Strong" and pushed the battalion past the $1 million milestone.

The 404th ASB leads the way for the CAB in re-enlistment bonuses with nearly one-third of the $3.4 million handed out so far during this year's mission.

"I love my job, the country and what we do," said Troast, who re-enlisted for six years and stabilization at Fort Hood, Texas. He also added $10,500 to his bank account.

"I couldn't imagine doing anything else," he said. "I like the people who I work with, and I believe in the mission we are doing over here ([in Iraq]."

The battalion needs only eight more Soldiers from the mid-career and two more for the Fiscal 2009 categories to make this year's mission. Only four months into the year, the brigade has already re-enlisted more than 417 Soldiers.

To make the re-enlistment mission, units are given a number of Soldiers they must re-enlist before the end of the fiscal year based-off a percentage of eligible Soldiers. Eligible Soldiers are broken down into four categories – initial, mid-career, career and Fiscal 2009 end of time in service.

Soldiers considered initial are on their first enlistment and have never re-enlisted before. Mid-career Soldiers have re-enlisted at least once during their Army career and have less than ten years of active federal service. Career Soldiers have more than ten years of service. Fiscal 2009 ETS are Soldiers scheduled to separate from the Army this year.

Depending on the situation, Soldiers are given a choice of options to include bonuses, choice of duty station and change of military occupational specialty.

For Goodson, he chose to change his duty station to Hawaii after he redeploys from Iraq. In addition, he banked $9,500 for the five year contract.

"I want to go to Hawaii because it is somewhere I wouldn't be able to go to if it wasn't for the Army," he said. "I love my job, and the Army has opened a lot of doors for me in my life."

Keeping quality Soldiers in the ranks is one of the top priorities for the Army. And according to Capt. Scott Coleman, their commander from HSC, both are top-notch Soldiers and have a great deal to offer their unit and the Army.

"They are both excellent Soldiers, and they are in my top ten percent easily," said Coleman. "I made it a priority to keep them in the Army because they have a lot of expertise and knowledge. Re-enlisting in a warzone embodies what the Army is all about – and it is the definition of selfless service."

• Date Taken: 01.30.2009
• Date Posted: 01.30.2009 01:52
• Story ID: 29446
• Location: TAJI, IQ