Soldiers decide to stay Army strong

Photo By Spc. Elvyn Nieves | Navy Adm. Mike Mullen (left), chairman, joint chief of staff, congratulates Cpl. Eric Rutledge, a native of Hernando, Miss., who serves as gunner and team leader in Headquarters and Headquarter Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. Earlier Mullen reenlisted Rutledge along with 21 fellow Soldiers, March 3, at the Phoenix Academy, Camp Taji, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Elvyn Nieves)  

TAJI, IRAQ

03.03.2008

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Spc. Elvyn Nieves
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Twenty-two Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers continued their service to the Army during a reenlistment ceremony overseen by the chairman of the joint chief of staff at the Phoenix Academy, Camp Taji, Iraq, March 3.

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman, joint chief of staff, administered the oath of enlistment to the soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarter Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25 Infantry Division.

Soldiers appreciated the chairman to help make this momentous occasion even more memorable.

"I think the admiral coming here to take our oath is amazing," said Cpl. Eric Rutledge, a native of Hernando, Miss., who serves as gunner and team leader in HHT 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "He's the highest ranking officer I've ever encountered. It's a great honor for all of us here today."

Rutledge, who is currently in his third deployment, said taking the opportunity in the options is his main reason for reenlisting as well as to his professional growth in this organization.

For other soldiers, like Staff Sgt. Sarah Jones, a native of Fort Carson, Colo., who serves as a human resources sergeant in the same unit, decided to stay in the Army for a more personal reason.

"I'm here to fight the fight," said Jones. "The Army is very important to me and to be taking the oath by one of the highest ranking service members in the military is a great honor and a one in a lifetime deal for me."

Jones said she is currently in her second deployment to Iraq and, although there are certain differences between the two, she has seen positive changes for the coalition forces and great improvements for the Iraqi people.

"The reenlistment ceremony is what signifies the soldiers staying in the Army for another term of service," said Sgt. 1st Class Theodore Howard, a native of Tilden, Ill., who serves as a career counselor in the same unit. "It shows their commitment to the Army and to fight the war against terrorists."

According to Howard, the 3rd BCT reenlisted more soldiers in the last year than any other brigade.

"We had 1,162 reenlistments in the fiscal year 2007 in preparation for this deployment," said Howard. "Many of the soldiers were in their third rotation in the same brigade."

During this year, Howard said 436 soldiers have opted to reenlist, making 54 percent of the unit's goal during the first three months of deployment.

• Date Taken: 03.03.2008
• Date Posted: 03.04.2008 10:10
• Story ID: 16976
• Location: TAJI, IQ