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NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. - It’s not often that a future Soldier has their first oath of enlistment administered to them by a two-star general, but 25 U.S. Army recruits from central Pennsylvania had that chance in an enlistment ceremony on June 13 at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle.
The Harrisburg Army Recruiting Battalion organized the event in honor of the 245th Army Birthday and to recognize the commitment the Soldiers have made to their country. Maj. Gen. John S. Kem, U.S. Army War College commandant, was invited to deliver the oath as the future Soldiers’ families and recruiting teams watched the momentous occasion.
Before administering the oath, Kem thanked the families in attendance for their support and spoke to the future Soldiers about the significance of their decision to serve and their journey ahead.
“I can guarantee you’re going to be challenged physically, mentally and spiritually,” Kem said. “You’re going to be asked to learn new things, advance in your skills and work with new people from all over the country; develop muscle memory, confidence and leadership in ways you’ve never even thought of before, and you’ll do it well. I’m positive.”
Kem also recognized a few future Soldiers in the formation for significant achievements, like Evan Winters, a high school senior who enlisted during the COVID-19 pandemic; Brady Strathmeyer, who lost 75 pounds so he could join and enlisted on an Airborne contract; and Taylor Billman, who earned the Girl Scout Gold Award by making masks for health care workers and first responders during the pandemic.
Billman said she was nervous coming into the ceremony but it was an amazing experience for her.
“Not just that I was sitting back and observing something bigger than me happen but that I was part of it, and I got to be recognized for my award,” Billman said. “It just felt really satisfying seeing all the work I’ve been doing for all these months finally coming together and getting to stand there and do the ceremony and be honored, and feel like I’m finally achieving what I’ve been working for all this time.”
Taking the oath to defend the American way of life is part of the Army’s legacy, as the first oath dates back to the establishment of the Army on June 14, 1775.
Capt. Adam Farrar, battalion operations officer, noted that while the Army’s Birthday is a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Soldiers, Army civilians and their families over the last 245 years, this birthday falls during a particularly difficult time for the nation.
“Still, whatever challenge we face as a nation, the U.S. Army always answers the call to serve and defend,” Farrar said. “Today, the future Soldiers in this formation have committed to become part of this legacy and we acknowledge and recognize them on this special day.”
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2020 15:46 |
| Story ID: | 372570 |
| Location: | CARLISLE, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 50 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Future Soldiers take oath of enlistment in honor of 245th Army Birthday, by Sarah Zaler, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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