ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Maryland - - With right hands raised in unison, more than 750 Soldiers, civilians, Veterans, family members and distinguished guests participated and witnessed a reaffirming of solemn oath's of service at the Team APG "Why We Serve" event here at the Myer Auditorium at the C4ISR campus Nov. 25.
Maj. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford, Commanding General of the Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) and APG Senior Mission Commander, served as the host and keynote speaker for the event.
"Today is about reflecting, examining and reaffirming who we are and what we stand for as trusted professionals," said Crawford. "Today is about introspection. Today is about accountability. And as professionals, since we are in the people business, today is ultimately about you … Being here today allows us to pause and reflect on who we are because that is what professionals do."
The theme "Restoring our Commitment to the Profession" reflected Crawford's vision for the event that included all Soldiers and civilians in attendance reaffirming the oath of office and oath of enlistment simultaneously. Crawford administered both the oath of office and enlistment to Soldiers and Leslie Lovick, director, APG Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, administered the oath to civilian employees.
"I consider the oath to be the very foundation on which our values as trusted professionals are established," said Crawford. "The oath we all took to support and defend our Nation is the very essence of responsibility and accountability … and whether five months ago or 50 years ago, thinking back to the day you took your oath, there was a sense of pride and enthusiasm because you were instantly a part of something bigger than yourself."
The event included guest speaker Carolyn Collins, deputy director of Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP), Department of the Army headquarters G1; musical performances from the Team APG group "Togetherness" and a cake cutting ceremony that included World War II veteran, Francis Sparr.
Another special highlight saw Crawford enlist four new recruits into the Maryland National Guard, which drew waves of standing applause.
The event aligned with the on-going emphasis on Army values to increase leader accountability and responsibility throughout the profession. At the ceremony, Team APG renewed a commitment to the Army profession to help address those areas, such as SHARP, where people struggle to maintain the highest standards, to focus and succeed in an era of persistent conflict, to maintain the best led and best trained force in the world, and prepare leaders for the challenges of tomorrow.
Army Test and Evaluation Center Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Peter D. Utley, provided the opening remarks and spoke to the packed theater about Army professionals serving as role models for the leaders of tomorrow.
"The performance of our duties, as well as our adherence to ethical standards of moral behavior permeates every single aspect of our lives and creates the legacy of honorable military and civil service we leave behind for future generations of Army Soldiers and civilians," said Utley. "Army professionals who are living the Army values and ethics continue to be a stellar example of what true professionalism is; something that our nation has come to expect and rightly deserves. Anything less is unacceptable."
During his remarks, Crawford also took time to thank those who had previously served and attributed them with shaping "our Army to be the profession that it is today," and establishing a "bedrock of trust."
"It is our Veterans, our "Soldiers for life," through their sacrifice and their character, their competence and their commitment and to whom we owe our deepest gratitude for showing us what it means to be trusted professionals."
Crawford added that reaffirming the oath is not enough and asked all in attendance to reflect on what they could do to uphold the "solemn promise" to support and defend
"Your service is honoring not only those that came before you, but it also makes a real difference for the lives of the generations to come," said Crawford. "… As trusted professionals, you provide a unique and vital service to society -- one it cannot provide itself."
In closing Crawford sent a message to the next generation tying "Why We Serve" to the future.
"Your time is now and your cause is just. Sleep well at night knowing that in the end, leadership still matters and that you are a part of a noble, selfless calling that makes us the most respected profession on this Earth -- the Profession of Arms. Thank you
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