CG re-enlists 4 ASC Soldiers during Mallards hockey game

By Kevin Fleming, ASC Public AffairsNovember 16, 2015

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1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, swears in four re-enlisting ASC Soldiers during the first period break of the Quad City Mallards' hockey game at the iWireless Center, Moline, Illinois, on Veterans Day, No... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and his his aide-de-camp Capt. Benjamin Nakamura, watch the Quad Cities Mallards hockey team warm up before their game on Veterans Appreciation Night at the iWireless Cente... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, meets with members of the Quad Cities Mallards hockey team before their game on Veterans Appreciation Night at the iWireless Center, Moline, Illinois, Nov. 11. (Photo by Ke... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 299 posts the colors and sings the national anthem for the opening of the Mallards hockey game on Veterans Appreciation Night at the iWireless Center, Moline, Illinois, Nov. 11. (Photo by Kevin Fleming, ASC Pub... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Head coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski thanks U.S. Army Sustainment Command Soldiers for their service in the Mallards' locker room before their game on Veterans Appreciation Night at the iWireless Center, Moline, Illinois, Nov. 11. (Photo by... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

MOLINE, Ill. -- Soldiers swore an oath to serve their nation in front of over 3,500 people during the Quad City Mallards' hockey game at the iWireless Center on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, re-enlisted four ASC Soldiers as the Mallards led by one during the first period break of an exciting game against the Alaska Aces. O'Connell thanked the audience and the Mallards for holding and supporting a Veterans Appreciation Night.

Sgt. Justin Kline, information technology specialist, G-6 (Information Management), ASC, was one of the Soldiers who re-enlisted. He said he is proud to serve in the Army.

"I'm re-enlisting today because I just felt like I needed to continue my service to my country," he said. "No other place in the world can give you this opportunity, and it's great to give back."

Kline will be heading to Pensacola, Florida for training in his new military occupational specialty as a 17C, cyber operations specialist.

"I am re-classing; I am changing my job. I'm going to be a cyber network defender, which is the newest MOS in the Army right now," he said.

As cyber warfare has grown as a threat, the Army has increased its efforts to respond by re-classing and recruiting a near-term goal of 1,300 cyber warriors, more than half of them enlisted Soldiers, for offensive and defensive capabilities.

About 150 Soldiers were selected with Kline to become cyber operations specialists. Kline said he decided to change his MOS to get more experience and to build his skills.

"I wanted a career field that was broader than what the Army usually offers," said Kline. "It is something different than the Army has ever done before -- it's completely new. It's very marketable, and it will get me involved with something a little more frontline."

Kline said he thought re-enlisting during the Mallards game was a good idea.

"It's good to show that we are involved still," he said. "We are a little bit like a private community on our own; this is more visibility for us, and the people here. I think it's a great thing that [the Mallards] would come out and do this for us."

Sgt. 1st Class Ju Kim, Installation Logistic Directorate, ASC, re-enlisted indefinitely, meaning he is enlisted until retirement. This is an increasingly rare opportunity as the Army reduces the number of its active-duty personnel.

"My grandfather and father were both Korean War and Vietnam War veterans as South Korean Soldiers," said Kim. "It is my honor and privilege that I can serve in the Army until my retirement, and I'll always proud of my uniforms."

Sgt. Jack Hopper, human resources clerk, ASC Headquarters and Headquarters Company, also re-enlisted with a four-year obligation. He chose to be reassigned to Kuwait.

Sgt. Brian Reynolds, mobility division, Distribution Management Center, ASC, re-enlisted with a six-year obligation. He will be reassigned to Germany.

O'Connell and the other ASC Soldiers at the event met with members of the Mallards hockey team in their locker room before the game. Head coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski thanked the Soldiers for their service.

"Thank you so much for what you do -- for yourself, for your family, for your country, for all of us," he said.

O'Connell gave each of the Soldiers and their families certificates and coins following the ceremony.

The Davenport High School Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps also participated in the event, presenting the colors behind the re-enlistees during the ceremony. They met with the re-enlistees, O'Connell and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Bryant, command sergeant major, ASC.

"Meeting the general and getting to work with actually enlisted people was just great," said Cadet Lt. Col. Nathan Rozinek, battalion commander, Davenport Central High School. "They are under appreciated, they serve for us, and they protect our freedom -- I think that is great."

The Vietnam Veterans of America chapter 299 posted the colors and sang the national anthem for the opening of the game.

The Mallards offered free tickets to Soldiers and their families. The Mallards won the game 7 - 4.

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