Dispatches from the Front

I recently was afforded the honor of participating in a reenlistment ceremony. This type of ceremony occurs when one of the Army's enlisted personnel decides to add further years to his or her obligation. Amazingly enough, the Army sees more reenlistments in combat zones than it does in any other location. I feel that this is due to the excitement of going beyond training in the US and actually performing a vital mission where it is most desperately needed.

This picture was taken right after the formal reenlistment, which consisted of CPT Mitchell (right) giving the oath of enlistment to Sergeant (SGT) Samantha Taber (left). SGT Taber works for CPT Mitchell in the Basing and Life Support section of the MNSTC-I J4. SGT Taber could have asked any officer to give her the oath, and CPT Mitchell was honored to be asked, and took the responsibility seriously. SGT Taber chose "the giant Saddam head" as her location; this head is one of three that adorned palaces all over the International Zone, and were removed by the Coalition at the request of the Iraqi government.

After the oath, a significant amount of revelry took place, and I took part in the festivities.

I am constantly amazed by the quality of the people that I meet here on a daily basis. I am thoroughly enjoying myself and I look forward to more exciting opportunities here in the future!

Yours,
Paul