Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., reenlists 20 Soldiers during a cake-cutting ceremony in honor of the Army’s 235th birthday, June 14, 2010, at the Pentagon. The Soldiers hale from numerous units throughout the Military District of Washington. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Clifton.
Today in the Pentagon Courtyard, I watched as a group of 20 Soldiers raised their right hands and repeated those memorable words they once said years ago as a young private.
“I (name), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States…..”
As the Army celebrated its 235th birthday today, not only was there a band and a cake the size of Texas , there was also a group of dedicated Soldiers who shared this historical day by taking their Army Oath of Re-enlistment.
These Soldiers – many who have experienced multiple deployments – chose to give another four years of service to the world’s greatest Army.
“This day is something I can tell my kids about – that I got to re-enlist at the Pentagon on the Army’s 235th birthday,” said Sgt. 1st Class Rodney T. Rieger, 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 88th Brigade Support Battalion of Fort Polk, La. “It’s history – it’s a truly memorable event.”
And not only were Soldiers re-enlisting at the Pentagon on this Army Birthday, but they were enlisting everywhere throughout the nation. In fact, a group of 350 new enlistees took their oaths in front of the Statue of Liberty this morning during a swearing-in ceremony.
So while new Soldiers swore in, older Soldiers swore to stay – Soldiers like Rieger, who gave 13 years to the Army. A few minutes before Rieger took his oath today, he reflected on what it was like as a brand new Soldier taking his first oath. I asked him what he would tell the new enlistees today.
“I’d tell them it’s the best job you can have,” he said. “It’s got ups and downs, but when you wake up every morning and put on that uniform, and you look at the American flag on your shoulder, it’s an honor. It’s not for the money or the glory – you do it for the American people, to defend our country at any price.”
So all of you Soldiers out there who have re-enlisted or are thinking about re-enlisting – and even all our new privates who just swore in – tell us, why did you do it? As we reflect on the Army’s Birthday – 235 years of defending the nation – tell us why you chose to serve and continue serving. Please share your comments below.
To view more photos from today’s Pentagon Cake Cutting and Re-enlistment Ceremony, visit http://bit.ly/d9JKmN.
Tracy Robillard, Public Affairs Specialist, Online and Social Media
