Photo By Staff Sgt. John Couffer | Lt. Col. Stephen Dawson, the commander of the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion,...... read more read more
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COS KALSU, Iraq – Standing at the position of attention, with right hands held high, a group of soldiers recited the Oath of Enlistment. These individuals chose to continue their legacy of service to their nation and the Army.
Soldiers of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, took the last step in lengthening their military career by taking part in a re-enlistment ceremony held at the dining facility, here, Oct. 27.
Lt. Col. Stephen Dawson, the commander of the 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, had some special words for these soldiers.
“It’s an honor and privilege to be here this morning to be able to inaugurate your re-enlistment, to reaffirm your oath to the United States. The Army is a profession, the most honorable and noble profession in all the United States and it is the most trusted profession,” said Dawson.
Some of these soldiers are re-enlisting for the first time, deciding to carry on Army life for another few years.
“Originally, I was going to do three years and get out, then I started looking back, there is nothing back home for me,” said Chicago native, Spc. Steven Solomon, a petroleum supply specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Solomon said that he looks forward to becoming a warrant officer or a CID agent during his next installment of Army life. He would also like to go to Alaska or Germany at some in the next few years. He said it all depends on what happens in the next two years.
“[The Army] gives you a guaranteed job for the next few years, get some education, free benefits, all you have to do is raise your right hand,” Solomon said.
“Even with the Army drawing down, retention is still very important,” said Sgt. Joaquin Goicoechea, an operations sergeant, who practices retention responsibilities, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Goicoechea said that he would advise all soldiers who are considering re-enlisting, to look at their available options prior to reenlisting. He said if you have family, it is best to discuss this with them. A soldier with family support is one that is set up for success.
In making the decision to re-enlist, Goicoechea said, it is more than a soldier signing a contract, the Army is making an obligation as well. When signing a contract, he said, the Army makes a deal to pay and care for the soldier and their families for up to six years.
“Nowhere in the United States are you going to find someone willing to pay you and promote you for doing your job and guarantee that deal for up to six years,” Goicoechea said.
For some soldiers, it is their second or third time signing a contract, and for a select few, they have signed papers for the last time until retirement.
“I love the Army, I love my job, I’m glad to be here, you don’t even know,” said Yauco, Puerto Rico native, Staff Sgt. Antonio Rodriguez, a squad leader assigned to Company C, 1st Brigade special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
“Everything I have, the Army gave me and I’m not complaining.”
Rodriguez explained that he tried to join the Army since the age of 17, but didn’t enlist until the age of 28. He said he enlisted because he has always liked the Army and he was looking for something he could do for a long time.
Rodriguez originally planned on getting out after his first term because of his experiences in the Army. He discussed the issue with his wife, she urged him to give the Army another shot. It is now ten years later and today marks his fifth and final enlistment until retirement.
“If you really like the Army and re-enlist, do it,” Rodriguez said.
“There is nothing wrong with giving the Army a chance.”
“Most soldiers today reenlist because they love what the Army stands for and are proud to be serving with their fellow brothers and sisters in the Armed Forces,” said Master Sgt. Cynthia Kling, a native to Llano, Texas, and the senior career counselor for the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.
Kling reiterates that re-enlistment is still important even though the Army is currently downsizing its forces. She said soldiers should consider the options of re-enlisting when looking at prospective job opportunities in the civilian work force.
Kling explains that the benefits the Army offers, when compared to those in the civilian work force, are better. The medical costs and health insurance, while are mostly free in the Army, can be extremely expensive and unaffordable with minimum wage.
When considering re-enlistment, all questions should be addressed to one’s career counselor as re-enlistment policies are constantly changing and the opportunities of the past are not there anymore, Kling said.
Dawson said that re-enlisting these soldiers is something he is glad to be a part of.
“I’m proud of all of you for making a commitment today to serve more years and I’m very happy to be a part of this,” Dawson concluded.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2011 12:47 |
| Story ID: | 79203 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION KALSU, IQ |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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