Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Col. Allen Batschelet (left), commander, Fires Brigade, 4th...... read more read more
by Spc. Allison Churchill
Fires Bde. PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Fires Brigade retention kicked off fiscal 2007 with a re-enlistment ceremony for 11 Soldiers Monday at brigade headquarters.
The Soldiers received a combined $77, 407 in tax-free bonus money.
For some of the Soldiers, the re-enlistments were an opportunity to achieve their military goals.
"I wanted an opportunity to go airborne," said Spc. Michael Russo, logistical clerk, Fires Bde., 4th Infantry Division.
The Chicago native was originally trained as a forward observer but has filled a variety of positions since graduating from advanced individual training. Russo said he hasn't had an opportunity to be a paratrooper, a position his father once held, so he decided to extend his service in the Army.
The bonus money didn't hurt either, he added.
Other Soldiers said they decided the stability of the military would best provide for their families.
"I'll be better able to provide for my family," said Sgt. Matthew Wilson, a Hugheston, W.Va., native.
Wilson, who has been in the Army close to 25 years, is married to a fellow Soldier and the couple have a 7 month-old baby. He said he's looking forward to continuing his education and serving as an intelligence analyst.
"I like the Army," said Wilson. "I want to make it a career."
All Soldiers are counseled on their long-term goals before recommitting to the Army, said Sgt. 1st Class Mark Kirkland, career counselor, Fires Bde.
"A lot of Soldiers have goals they want to accomplish, but they haven't devised a plan to reach them," said Kirkland, a native of Dothan, Ala., who has called Texas home for the past 13 years.
Kirkland said that re-enlisting offers several opportunities for Soldiers to further their military careers.
By the second week of November, at least 12 more Soldiers are scheduled to re-enlist, with more than $138,000 awarded in re-enlistment bonuses. The bonuses are based on a variety of factors, including how much time is remaining in a Soldier's contract and the length of time a Soldier re-enlists for.
Soldiers can still receive bonuses of up to $15,000 tax-free, said Kirkland. He said he encourages Soldiers to talk to their re-enlistment counselors to find out what options they are eligible for.
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2006 17:58 |
| Story ID: | 7954 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 522 |
| Downloads: | 472 |
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