4-5th AMD conducts mass re-enlistment

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03.23.2012

Courtesy Story

108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 5th Air and Missile Defense participated in a mass re-enlistment ceremony here March 23.

Brig. Gen. John G. Rossi, commander, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense, presided over the ceremony, which saw 12 soldiers reaffirm their oath of service. During his comments, Rossi emphasized the importance of the decision to re-enlist in the Army.

“You’re in the number one institution in the U.S.,” said Brig. Gen. Rossi. “In order to be a member of the team in this profession, one must keep competitive so he has the privilege and choice to re-enlist. This is a privilege, not a right. It is getting tougher and tougher. Don’t sit flat-footed, because great teams have cuts.”

Staff Sgt. Robert Warren, the battalion’s career counselor, was on hand to ensure everything went according to plan. With the impending reposture of personnel in the Army, Warren ensures every soldier who re-enlisted was qualified according to Army standards.

“In the past, soldiers who were qualified according to regulations were able to re-enlist.” said Warren.

While the soldiers reaffirmed their oath together, each soldier had their own reason for re-enlisting. Spc. Christopher Boykin, network switching systems operator, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 52nd AMD, said he believes it’s more than just meeting a standard.

“Meeting the standard is easy, but I know in order to continue in my career like General Rossi stated, I must stay competitive and out of trouble,” said Boykin. “I believe and have faith the Army will help me to provide a strong foundation for a family. I know upholding and living by the Army standards will someday provide my children a person they can look up to and respect as a positive influence.”

• Date Taken: 03.23.2012
• Date Posted: 04.14.2012 03:17
• Story ID: 86749
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)