3rd Group Soldiers reenlist at Panthers’ Stadium

United States Army Special Operations Command
Story by Sgt. Kyle Alvarez

Date: 10.04.2018
Posted: 11.08.2018 14:36
News ID: 299268

Three Soldiers from 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) reenlisted at the Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers, in Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 4, 2018.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jontay Marquise Shoemaker, Staff Sgt. Edward Pelzer III, and Staff Sgt. Tyson Fisher had their reenlistment ceremony at the Panthers’ stadium. They were joined by service members from different branches of the U.S. military during a ceremony hosted by the United Services Organization. The USO is a non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country.
Many Soldiers reenlist at their unit on base amongst their family and close friends. So, for these 3rd SFG (A) Soldiers, this reenlistment is a unique opportunity.
“This is probably the best reenlistment so far, and this is my third one,” said Shoemaker. “It’s special because this is the first time I’ve had my family here [and it’s] the first time I’ve reenlisted away from an Army base. It feels like a lot of thought went into it. Being from North Carolina and being a Panthers fan…[this is] something that really hit close to home.”
Shoemaker expressed, having his loved ones attend the ceremony was important to him, and he wasn’t the only Soldier who had similar sentiments.
“This means a lot to me,” said Pelzer. “My family has not been around for any of my reenlistments. Most of them have been down range. This will be the first one they’ve ever been to.”
The USO works with the Carolina Panthers every year to give Soldiers an opportunity to visit the team and have their reenlistment ceremony at the stadium.
“It’s heartwarming and nice to know that you are appreciated, especially from an organization as prestigious as the NFL,” said Fisher. “It’s nice to have somebody like that…have your back.”
The three staff sergeants extended their appreciation not only to the USO and the Panthers but to Staff Sgt. Robbie Patterson, the retention NCO for 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group as well. He worked with the USO to make the events of the day happen.
“A week prior it was brought to my attention that this was an incentive done by the USO to have Soldiers be able to go out there with their family members,” said Patterson. “I thought it was a really cool idea.”
“I love reenlisting Soldiers,” Patterson continued. “You know, seeing the smiles on their faces and seeing that Soldier get exactly what he wanted to move forward in his or her career or seeing their idea of what they want to do as a reenlistment come to reality instead of a normal reenlistment at a unit, is great.”