Entry #46: May 16, 2006

Camp Buehring, Kuwait (Somewhere near the Iraq border)

Today, I was asked to perform one of the highest honors that I believe an officer can do. I was asked by one of my Soldiers to re-enlist him in the United States Army. Now think about this. Why would this Soldier want to re-enlist in an Army that messes up his pay, that loses any type of paperwork he turns in, and that sends him to the middle of the desert for a whole year? Because few jobs are as rewarding, high in prestige, honorable, allows for continual education both in and out of the classroom, and permits him to serve his country. Plus, $10,000 and choice of job helps a bit too.

A lot of media attention has been paid to the recruiting shortages that the military has faced. However, the majority of senior officials aren’t concerned about negative statistics in recruiting for the military. That’s because a large number of present military members are choosing to stay in. Why is this happening in the midst of a war you ask yourself? Easy, these guys believe in what they’re doing. It’s not about going around shooting stuff and blowing crap up, it’s about serving others, your country, and supporting your buddies alongside you.

For those of you who wonder what the re-enlistment oath looks like, here it is:

I, (state your name), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

There it is folks. Read it. Understand it. Look at exactly what these Soldiers are swearing to do. I was proud to re-enlist my Soldier into my country’s Army. That’s a real honor. And so the Soldier’s life continues…