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Historic re-enlistment at Fort Carson
More than 400 soldiers raised their right hands Wednesday to extend their time in the Army. It was the biggest event of its kind in the history of Fort Carson. Driven by their loyalty to the Iraqbound 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and enticed by enlistment bonuses as big as $15,000, the soldiers made a pledge that all but guarantees they will head to war early next year. Most said they decided to stay in the Army to be with the soldiers they fought beside during the regiment's first yearlong tour in Iraq. "I owe it to my boys to be there one more time," said Spc. Abimael Marquez, who signed up for another tour that will separate him from the woman he married two months ago. "He made that decision before we met," said his wife, Mandi Seltzer, who said she supports her husband's choice. While elements of the Army, especially the National Guard and Army Reserve, have struggled to meet recruiting and retention goals in recent months, Fort Carson and the 5,200-soldier regiment have exceeded expectations. The regiment has more than doubled its goal for keeping soldiers in the Army, and the post as a whole remains well over its retention goals. Re-enlistments actually skyrocketed after the unit got its Iraq orders in July, said Staff Sgt. David Henderson, who has worked in the regiment to retain soldiers. "This is all about loyalty," he said. Loyalty on a large scale. "I have never seen before and I will probably never again see a re-enlistment formation this big," said Brig. Gen. Joseph Orr, the post's deputy commander. Most members of the regiment, which served in Iraq for a year that ended with homecomings in April, are combat veterans. The unit's commander, Col. H.R. McMaster, said keeping that experience is crucial to survival in Iraq. "We really need the soldiers who re-enlisted," he said. McMaster, who administered the enlistment oath to the soldiers who stood in formation in a gymnasium, called the event "humbling." "They feel like they are part of an effort bigger than themselves," McMaster said. More at link... What a great bunch of Americans! Damn proud of each of them. Posted by: GK 2004-12-02 |
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