Army couple flies high to re-enlist

By Jim CunninghamSeptember 29, 2011

Army couple flies high to re-enlist
Lt. Col. John Rhodes (left leaning), battalion commander UNCSB-JSA, leans over to congratulate Spc. Ronald Gray (right of flag) after swearing Gray in re-enlistment for his second tour. Gray's wife Theresa (right of Gray) came with her husband to wit... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PAN MUN JOM - Spc. Ronald Gray of the United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area, re-enlisted for his second tour during a routine evacuation exercise flying over the demilitarized zone in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter March 27. Gray's wife Theresa participated in the exercise, dressed in her advanced combat uniform, and boarded the helicopter with her husband to support him in his re-enlistment.

"I am re-enlisting today because I am a career Soldier," Gray said. "This is what I do and I am honored to be here. Being a Soldier here at the Joint Security Area is a real honor because of its history."

re-enlisting during the evacuation exercise was not just a decision made by Gray, but a decision made with the advice of Lt. Col. John Rhodes, commander UNCSB-JSA, and Command Sgt. Maj. John Justis, UNCSB-JSA Command Sgt. Maj.

"I wanted this re-enlistment to be unique," Gray said. "A lot of Soldiers have re-enlisted on the Bridge of No Return, so that is not unusual anymore. The main thing was to make sure my wife could make it here and participate in the ceremony."

Gray explained it was not only himself re-enlisting but his wife as well.

"I am going along with my husband because military spouses are just as important in making the decision to re-enlist," Theresa Gray said. "I think it is a great thing for him to re-enlist. It is an honor to be a military spouse and a great opportunity for anybody."

Gray has set his career sights on lofty goals and intends to see them through during his career.

"First, I want to always be a good husband," Gray said. "I want to have my wife by my side no matter what I do, I want to serve in Arlington, Va. with the Old Guard, and I want to be a command sergeant major."

"For me a re-enlistment is an honor," Rhodes said. "re-enlisting Spc. Gray is a great event for the unit and the Army. Anytime an officer is asked to re-enlist an enlisted Soldier it really is an honor. I have prior service for seven years enlisted, and you really think hard about who will re-enlist you when the time comes. You don't want just anybody to do that for you. For the officer, you hope the re-enlisting Soldier respects you and wants to follow you into combat as they are supposed to."

The entire unit was looking forward to the ceremony inside the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Rhodes explained.

"This is a celebration for the Soldier and a celebration for the Army," he said. "A lot of people ask the Soldier why he re-enlists. The answer is duty, honor, and country. Soldiers who re-enlist today love the Army."