Photo By Master Sgt. Sheryl Lawry | Seven Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 3-29 Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat...... read more read more
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq -- (March 5, 2006) "This man's life is not for everyone; being in the Army is not for everyone", said Sgt 1st Class Troy Jordan, also known as smoke, the platoon sergeant for Alpha Battery, 3-29 Field Artillery, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers to his Soldiers after he and six others within the platoon reenlisted together.
As of March 15, more than 270 Soldiers in 3HBCT have again raised their right hand and pleaded to protect America from enemies both foreign and domestic.
Proud to be among the seven, Jordan feels he has made the right decision to reenlist - with his Soldiers.
"These guys, they're important to me. We are such a close-knit platoon. I owe it to them and the Army to stay in as long as they need me to."
Just as proud to be among the seven was Pfc. Joshua Dolin, who has been a member of the unit since he finished Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training.
"This is the first platoon I've been in" Dolin said, if this is how this platoon can be, then I'm pretty sure this is how the rest of the Army's going to be."
Dolin explained it was due to his close relationship with everyone in his platoon that helped cement is decision to reenlist.
"The whole platoon made an impact on my life. We all come from such different backgrounds, different places, but were all one family and were always together. If one of us goes out, we all go out."
That camaraderie extends to when one of them get in trouble too.
"If one of us gets in trouble, we all get in trouble."
"The brotherhood and camaraderie is very strong is our battery," said Cpl. Edgar Rodriguez, who reenlisted with Jordan and Dolin.
Rodriguez, however, draws his decision to reenlist from the basic sense of patriotism.
"I've always wanted to join the military since I was a kid. September 11th helped give me that extra push to join the Army," he said. "I've always supported the U.S. Sometimes we forget why we join, why we wear the uniform. Today made me realize and appreciate it all over again."
As for the war and any advise he has for those on the threshold of making a finial decision to reenlist, his words are simple.
"Sometimes we take what we do for granted, that we do this to keep our families safe and to keep the war off our shores and over here."
"We left the most technically advanced nation in the world to come overseas to protect the nation. I find that impressive. I find that remarkable. I have two young boys and I would be proud to have them standing in your ranks," said Col. Brian D. Jones, commander, 3rd HBCT at the reenlistment which he officiated.
"Everybody talks about the greatest generation - the greatest generation is standing right here."
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 03.25.2006 13:30 |
| Story ID: | 5853 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 107 |
| Downloads: | 27 |
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