FORT HOOD, Texas – The 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted a mass reenlistment ceremony for seven "Warhorse" soldiers during a ceremony held at Cooper Field on Fort Hood, Texas, April 25, 2012.
The Army is in a transformation process where it is cutting down the force. Now only the top-notch soldiers will be able to reenlist and many soldiers that are stagnant in their military occupational specialty or fail to maintain standards will be weeded out of the Army.
“As we all know, the Army is cutting down where before anybody would be allowed to reenlist, now they can be a little bit more picky and choose who stays and who goes,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Rans the career counselor for 3rd Bn, 8th Cav. Regt.
The "Warhorse" soldiers have proven to themselves and to the Army that they are soldier material by maintaining exemplary physical training scores and service records in order to have the privilege of reenlistment.
Those who reenlisted went through a process of interviews from their first-line supervisers where they went over the soldier’s records and if approved, they went through the chain of command to figure out if these troopers had the proper qualifications to be able to serve in this prestigious Army.
“We are going to see a change, where before the Army overlooked stuff but now they are going to hold your feet to the fire,” said Rans.
Soldiers received the support of their company commanders, first sergeants, closest team members and most importantly, the support of their families and spouses during the reenlistment ceremony.
“I will support my husband if he wants to make the military his career, and if he decides to end his enlistment contract and attend school I will support him as well, while he attends and finishes a degree,” said Brittany Beaird whose husband Justin reenlisted at the ceremony.
Spouses have shown that one of the hardest jobs in the world is that of a military spouse. The last 10 years have been difficult on marriages throughout the military; having a family member deployed overseas where his or her life could be in constant danger puts added stress on a marriage.
“While Justin was deployed it was hard trying to get me and our kids adjusted to not seeing him for a whole year, but communication played a very important role,” said Beaird. “Family and friends definitely helped during this hard time. I am glad that my husband reenlisted in this brigade and I want to let him know that he has all my support and approval on his enlistment.” she added.
Spc. Justin Beaird said that he was appreciative of his wife’s support and was honored to be able to reenlist.
“I am definitely proud and glad that I am one of the few that have been able to reenlist with these new Army standards. I give thanks to my unit for giving me this opportunity to serve in the United States Army,” said Beaird.