Spc. Erin Robicheaux
256th Brigade Combat Team PAO
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq --Raising their right hands and swearing to 'support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," 256 Soldiers of the 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, officially extended their service to the Army National Guard as Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, Chief of the Army National Guard Bureau, administered the oath in a ceremony March 29.
"People back home look at you as superheroes," Blum told the Soldiers. "You have tremendous support."
To date, 334 Soldiers of the 256th BCT have opted to re-enlist, and with a year-end goal of just under 1,000, Sgt. 1st Class Philip Flowers has faith the numbers will remain steady. Flowers is the 256th BCT Retention Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, and says that if events continue along their current pace, there will be no problems reaching the goal.
The 256th is currently tracking about 26 extensions per week.
Though there is a significant bonus involved, Flowers feels the Soldiers care about more than the money.
"The bottom line is, if you want to get out, you're going to get out, and no amount of money can make you stay in," he said, "I think that it says a lot for the leadership of the 256th BCT, when you consider how many Soldiers are sticking around."
He also believes that National Guard Soldiers are taking more pride in their jobs, now that they are able to perform them to full capacity.
"During our regular status, Soldiers come to drill, train, and never really get to put to use the skills that they have learned. Since the deployment, though, they have been able to do their jobs, and they have done them well," he said.
Staff Sgt. Melchiorre L. Chiarenza, Personnel Strength Non-Commissioned Officer for 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 256th BCT, has extended his service after racking up 15 years.
"After that long, six more doesn't seem like much time out of my life," he said.
A school teacher from Staten Island, N.Y., Chiarenza not only signed up for more time with the National Guard, he is also considering making it a full-time career.
"I'll be doing the same job that I'm doing here in Iraq, either with the 1st Bn., 69th Inf. Reg., or with the Louisiana National Guard."
Chiarenza has made so many new friends as a result of the deployment, he might possibly decide to make a permanent move to Louisiana.
"I've been working with a great group of people, and it's going to be hard to let them go," he said.
Blum reflected on the significance of National Guard Soldiers re-enlisting in a combat zone, and said he was impressed at how many signed up for more time with the military, especially when they are still just under halfway through their tour in Iraq.
He also noted that the same Soldiers who postponed civilian careers and college educations to fight the war on terrorism, were still patriotic enough to raise their right hands and promise to protect their country.
"They care about what they are doing here and know that what they are doing is making a difference, and will make America safer," he said, 'they are truly an American treasure."
Sgt. Corey Allbritton, from New Orleans, La, of Headquarters Co., 256th BCT, has been a member of the Louisiana National Guard for almost nine years. Just prior to deployment, he was performing force protection duties in his home state, but says he will eventually go back to school.
"I'm interested in biology and will probably major in a science-related field," he said.
Allbritton will pursue a civilian education, but has every intention of staying in the Guard for 20 years.
"Quitting after almost nine years would be like quitting high school when you're 16 years old," he said.
In addition, he has high aspirations for his military career.
"My goal is to be a brigade sergeant major," he said.
"It's funny, though," he said, "when I was a private first class, it was simple -- I just wanted to be a sergeant."
Should Allbritton and his fellow "citizen Soldiers" get the call again to serve, Blum says it won't be anytime soon. He notes that the National Guard will not be used at this rate all the time, and the troops" patriotism and willingness to serve will not be abused.
"We need to make sure that when these Soldiers return home, we don't call them for another five or six years," he said, "We need to give the families, the employers, and the Soldiers some predictability and certainty."
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Blum walked through the ranks and shook all 256 hands which had just been raised in promise to the United States.
He told the Soldiers, "Ladies and gentlemen, you have just re-enlisted in the Tiger Brigade, and I salute you."
| Date Taken: | 04.06.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 04.06.2005 12:48 |
| Story ID: | 1512 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 12 |
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