COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, “Regulars,” 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, raised their right hands and swore an oath to defend their country, during a re-enlistment ceremony held March 2, at the Regulars’ motor pool.
Twenty-four soldiers lined up in formation, wearing their Army dress uniforms, to extend their enlistment contracts and advance in their Army careers.
Every soldier who makes the decision to re-enlist in the Army has a personal reason for doing so.
“Most soldiers ree-nlist for job stability, medical benefits and basic allowance for housing, which reduces the cost of living,” said Staff Sgt. Robert Calhoun, career counselor assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company.
Soldiers are encouraged by their retention offices to re-enlist, and those who do are given the opportunity to see new places, and gain valuable work experience, said Spc. Joseph Kraemer, health care specialist assigned to HHC.
While some soldiers may want to make a career out of the Army, others do it for valuable job experience, which they can use in the civilian job market.
“When I go to my next unit, I may work in a medical clinic, which will advance my experience in my job field,” said Kraemer, a native of Milwaukee, Wis. “From there, I will gain more knowledge of my job; so if I ever decide not to reenlist, I can use that knowledge in the civilian world.”
The fighting force of the Army is increased when soldiers decide to stay in the Army, said Calhoun, a native of Richwood, Texas. It’s an opportunity for soldiers to advance, and a way to keep up the strength of the Army.
Reenlisting is a choice most soldiers face in their Army careers; some take the opportunity, while others decide the military isn’t for them, said Kraemer.
“If a soldier is thinking about reenlisting, they need to really sit down and think about it,” said Kraemer. “Soldiers need to be committed when they make the decision to re-enlist, because in addition to serving their unit for a few more years, they are serving their country as well.”