Army Chief of Staff Conducts Re-Enlistment, Visits 3 HBCT

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr. administers the Oath of Enlistment to 124 Task Force Marne re-enlistees at Task Force Marne Headquarters, Camp Victory Aug. 11.

Multi-National Division - Center
Media Release HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Story by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs and

Sgt. Ben Brody, MND-C Public Affairs

Photos by Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. conducted a re-enlistment ceremony at Task Force Marne Headquarters and visited other 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers Patrol Bases Assassin and Murray Aug. 11.

The commitment from Soldiers who re-enlisted for fixed periods of time totaled 621 years of service.

“These great Soldiers here epitomize the best of what the United States of America stands for,” Casey said. “It’s important not to lose sight of what’s at stake in this war – the power of our values and our civilization.”

After administering the oath, Casey greeted each Soldier and posed for individual portraits.

As a surprise, the re-enlistees each received a 3rd Infantry Division coin, an American Flag that had been flown over Camp Victory’s Al Faw Palace, and their choice of an MP3 player or a Gerber tool.

“A lot of Soldiers could go a whole career without getting within shouting distance of a four-star general,” said Master Sgt. James Nicolai, 3rd Infantry Division Reenlistment Operations NCO. “Having the chief come out and greet everybody is pretty exciting.”

Though not assigned to Multi-National Division-Center, Soldiers from 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, serving in Ramadi, took the opportunity to visit their division headquarters.

“The guys enjoyed coming out and getting some cool stuff they can use, in addition to the incentives like priority for a four-day pass,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Delaney, career counselor for 1st BCT’s 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry, who brought six Soldiers from the unit to re-enlist.

Bonuses for the group’s re-enlistment totaled over $1.4 million, most of which went to Soldiers re-enlisting for the first time.

Later in the day, Casey arrived by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to PB Assassin and Murray. He was met on the ground in Assassin by commanders of 3rd HBCT. He toured the PB Assassin command post building operated by Troop A, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment.

After the tour, Casey briefly spoke to brigade leaders and Soldiers about the length of the 3rd HBCT’s current deployment and the importance of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.

“This war is nothing more than the values and ideas on which our country is based,” he said.

“This is our way of life and our country is lucky to have you and your families on the forefront in this war on terrorism.”

Ten Soldiers were awarded Army Chief of Staff coins in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the 3rd HBCT.

Casey presented coins to the following Soldiers at PB Assassin:

3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment

Spc. John Ray, 23, Colstrip, Mont., Headquarters Troop

Spc. Jaime Rivera, 23, Anasco, Puerto Rico, Headquarters Troop

Sgt. Eric Jordan, 26, Elba, Ala., Troop A

Spc. Peter Arend, 23, Upper Darby, Pa., Troop A

Pfc. Christopher Rochester, 21, Lehigh Acres, Fla., Troop A

1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment:

Spc. James Jones, 30, Tyler, Tx., Headquarters Company

Spc. Jonathan Follmar, 25, Monticello, Ind., Headquarters Company

Spc. Chris Armstrong, 24, Indiantown, Fla., Headquarters Company

Pfc. Michael Sexton, 24, Dalton, Ga., Headquarters Company

3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion:

Pfc. Stephanie McCulley, 25, Uniontown, Pa., Headquarters Troop

Army Chief of Staff Gen.
George Casey speaks to Soldiers and leaders of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Aug. 11, at Patrol Base Assassin, Iraq.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey presents Pfc. Michael Sexton, 24, Dalton, Ga., Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, with a coin Aug. 11, at Patrol Base Assassin, Iraq.