Every Soldier has a reason to reenlist

Photo By Spc. Efren Rodriguez | Sgt. Angel Cruz, multichannel transmission system operator- maintainer, with 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, smiles as he discusses an upcoming retirement with a senior noncommissioned officer March 6, 2017 at Fort Stewart, Ga. Cruz recently reenlisted on February 15, 2017 to extend his own contact and continue his military career. “I chose to reenlist because I feel my job is not done yet,” Cruz said. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Efren Rodriguez/ Released)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

03.07.2017

Story by Spc. Efren Rodriguez 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. - “I chose to reenlist because I feel my job is not done yet,” said Sgt. Angel Cruz, multichannel transmission system operator- maintainer with 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Cruz, a Greenville, S.C. native, raised his right hand and recited the oath of reenlistment for three more years Feb. 15, 2017 at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

“I have goals that I have set for myself that I have not completed yet,” Cruz said. One day he hopes to become a drill sergeant, earn a degree in information technology and become a command sergeant major.

Cruz enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 30, 2010. He deployed in 2012 to Afghanistan with the 1st Infantry Division. However, Cruz did not always have an interest in the military. As a child, he wanted to be a firefighter.

“I have always had a sense to serve the community,” said Cruz. “I was in 4th grade when September 11th happened and it showed me that there was more to do."

In the future, Cruz looks forward to working with new people, working in different duty positions and teaching Soldiers how to be a better person each day.

“I want to show my Soldiers that teamwork is everything,” said Cruz. “When you deploy you rely on the people to your left and right.”

“Sgt. Cruz leads by example,” said Capt. Ian Murdoch, communications officer of 3-15 Inf. and Cruz’s platoon leader. “When he tasks his Soldiers to do something, he is always there with them.”

For Soldiers who are going through a tough time in their military careers and are second guessing reenlistment, Cruz has some encouraging words: “Do not lose focus. Only you will know your true worth. Only you will know your full potential.”

• Date Taken: 03.07.2017
• Date Posted: 03.07.2017 15:51
• Story ID: 226020
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: GREENVILLE, SC, US