DAKOTA DUNES, S.D. - A Guard member took a break from flood support operations to extend his term of military service on Wednesday here.
Army Sgt. Chris Weber, a Sioux Falls native and communications noncommissioned officer with Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 153rd Engineer Battalion, re-enlisted for another six years with the South Dakota Army National Guard during his state active duty tour.
The re-enlistment ceremony took place on a levee Guardsmen helped construct earlier in the month.
“I’ve wanted to be in the South Dakota National Guard since I was a kid,” said Weber. “I’m kind of following in my older brother’s foot-steps.”
Unsure of his future after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan with the 211th Engineer Company in September 2010, Weber said he was considering finishing his first six-year enlistment and leaving the Guard.
But when he took a communications position in the 153rd and got promoted to the rank of sergeant, he said he wanted to re-enlist and would likely continue to his 20-year goal.
“I enjoy working with great leadership, supporting the battalion and shaping the new troops that join,” said Weber.
Army 1st Sgt. Kory Urban, the HHC, 153rd first sergeant, said he was pleased with Weber’s decision to continue his service in the National Guard as a member of the 153rd.
“Sergeant Weber has become a vital member of the unit,” said Urban. “We are very happy he has decided to stay and very proud to have him in our unit.”