ARLINGTON, Va. - Several Army National Guard Soldiers shared in a piece of Big Army's sweet recruiting success on Thursday. Twelve Soldiers from each of the Army components participated in a ceremonial swearing-in at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington to celebrate the Army's successful recruiting campaign for the 2007 fiscal year.
The Army added 80,000 new recruits to its ranks this year, a formidable achievement during a time of war, said Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Richard Cody.
"With a full knowledge that they will deploy, you new recruits raised your right hand and said "˜America, in your time of need, I will defend you'," said Cody. "That takes personal courage; it takes a sense of duty that we should all have great respect in and take pride in."
Of the Soldiers participating in the ceremony, six were new recruits, and the remaining were those who have re-enlisted. Also participating were six Soldiers in full combat gear to represent the fighting forces of the U.S. Army.
The ceremony's participants were a sampling of Soldiers from each of the Army's components. The idea behind this was to commemorate the entire Army's recruiting success for 2007.
"It celebrates the full team concept," said Lt. Col. Gregg Bliss, recruit sustainment program branch chief for the National Guard Strength Management Division. "[It celebrates] the "˜One Army' concept " with the active component, the reserve component and the National Guard serving and fighting together."
Sgt. Barry Braan, a light-wheel vehicle mechanic for the HHC 29th Infantry Division, Special Troops Battalion, participated in the ceremonial re-enlistment. A former reservist with eight years in prior service, Braan took a break from the military, only to discover it was where he belonged.
"I really missed the uniform, to be quite honest with you," he says, "I missed the espirit de corps. I love the fellowship of the Soldiers and I love being around people with like minds and like mission."
Braan was also very honored to participate in the day's ceremony. "To actually be sworn in by the vice chief of staff of the Army that was the greatest thing since sliced bread. It's an honor to be a part of this team. I love it and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."