Thunder Horse troopers remain in uniform, keep Army strong

By Spc. Angel Turner, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. PAOMarch 26, 2012

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1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas-- Spc. Nicholas Koumarianos, a tanker assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, raises his right hand in front of the U.S. flag during a re-enlistment ceremony, March ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas-- Lt. Col. Monte, Rone, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, re-enlists Soldiers during a ceremony, March 1, 2012. Thirty-two Soldiers in the battalion extended their c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas-- Spc. Joseph Colley (left) stands next to Lt. Col. Monte, Rone, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, after re-enlisting, March 1, 2012. Colley, a cavalry scout assigne... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas-- Thirty-two Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, renewed their commitment to serve in the Army during a mass reenlistment ceremony March, 1.

"Re-enlistees, thank you for pledging your continued service to the Nation," said Lt. Col. Monte, Rone, commander of 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Reg. "As you very well know, you are part of the most respected institution in the United States of America. I challenge you to stay fit, to inspire excellence, to train hard, and always enforce standards and discipline."

Two groups of Soldiers stood in front of their Families, friends and fellow Soldiers as they raised their right hands and recommitted themselves to their country.

Spc. Joseph Colley, a cavalry scout assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Reg. said he re-enlisted for his family and to further explore what the Army has to offer.

"I want to finish college, deploy to Afghanistan and do other things like that," said Colley, a native of Montgomery, Ala.

Colley, who joined the military because he loved his country, added, "Having a re-enlistment at the battalion level shows how much more you are appreciated. With the higher ranks swearing you in, it seems like a bigger deal to me."

The group of re-enlistees had to go through a stringent selection process prior to being allowed to reenlist to ensure they are exactly what the Army needs as it continues to keep the Nation strong.

Sgt. 1st Class Tanisha Diggs, the battalion's career counselor, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, gave some advice for Soldiers looking to continue their military career during this period where the Army and the Department of Defense are downsizing.

"To make themselves be that quality Soldier that the Army is looking to keep, I would encourage them to pursue not only more military training but more civilian education as well," said Diggs, a native of Hinesville, Ga.

Diggs added that choosing special assignments such as recruiting and drill sergeant school and completing their military schooling will help make them stand out amongst their peers. All of this ensures the Army remains strong by keeping its strongest citizens in uniform

Leaders within the battalion also recognized the re-enlistees' Families by presenting them certificates of appreciation. Families provide the strong foundation which Soldiers draw on as they serve.

"We chose to recognize the Families, because at the end of the day, Family re-enlists along with the Soldiers, dealing with the late nights, the deployments, and all the Army stuff," said Diggs.

Soldiers with an end time in service date in fiscal year 2013, Oct. 1, 2012- Sept. 30, 2013, can re-enlist now.