By Jim Dresbach,
Pentagram staff writer
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Fourteen members of The U.S. Army Band (Pershing’s Own) re-enlisted during a five-minute ceremony Jan. 28 at Brucker Hall’s Pershing Lobby.
Soldiers and commanders broke away from their morning schedules to witness The U.S. Army Band Commander Col. Thomas Palmatier re-issue the United States Armed Forces oath of enlistment to the re-upping soldiers. Prior to the oath-taking, Palmatier told spectators that good, consistent band members make great military units.
“This is a great day for The U.S. Army Band,” Palmatier said. “We have a whole bunch of people we’re going to keep on the team. That makes it a great day for our unit and for the future of our unit.”
Retaking oaths of enlistment were Staff Sgt. Elizabeth McGuinness, Staff Sgt. Timothy Sutfin, Staff Sgt. Timothy Whalen, Staff Sgt. Liu Zhao, Staff Sgt. Xavier Perez, Staff Sgt. Rogelio Garza, Staff Sgt. Matthew Evans and Staff Sgt. Kevin Gebo.
Indefinitely re-enlisting were Staff Sgt. Jason Sanders and Staff Sgt. Larry Ferguson.
Those initially re-enlisting in TUSAB were Staff Sgt. Matthew Smith for three years, Staff Sgt. Christopher Buckley and Staff Sgt. Janice Shin for four years, and Staff Sgt. Catherine Gerhiser re-upped for a six-year stint.
During the 2014 fiscal year, 27 soldiers have re-enlisted in the U.S. Army Band.