After administering the O... VIEW ORIGINAL
After administering the O... VIEW ORIGINAL
Fort Buchanan, PR- Twenty one Soldiers assigned to the 1st Mission Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico renewed their commitment to service by participating in a reenlistment ceremony conducted at the command's headquarters, Feb. 20.
After administering the Oath of Office, Brig. Gen. Jose R. Burgos, 1st MSC commanding general, expressed his appreciation to the Soldiers and their families.
"First, I want to thank you for stepping up to the plate and being members of the Army Reserve. To the family members and friends, thank you for being here. Your presence means a lot to all of us," said Burgos, who is the senior U.S. Army Reserve officer in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
Maj. Gen. David Conboy, deputy commanding general for operations at the United States Army Reserve Command, also witnessed the ceremony.
"It is a great honor to be here with you. The fact that each one of you, supported by your wonderful families, mentors, friends and battle buddies, decided to continue serving your country is great. I am impressed for what you have accomplished and for what you are going to do in the future," said Conboy, while encouraging the troops to grow through the ranks.
"That is what this is all about; reenlisting and be able to serve at a higher level of responsibility, making the difference in the lives of other Soldiers," added Conboy, who was visiting the island to personally see the level of readiness of the largest U.S. Army command in the region.
Sgt. Bernard Palau, an ammunition specialist assigned to the 266th Ordnance Company with headquarters in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was one of the Soldiers who participated in the ceremony.
"I decided to reenlist because I love what I do in the Army Reserve. Also, I want to provide good leadership to my Soldiers and help them progress in their careers as well," said Palau, who reenlisted for the first time, after successfully completing his initial term of six years of service.
"I will continue reenlisting," added the Soldier accompanied by his wife, Eudenice Rodriguez and his father Heriberto Palau.
"The decision to reenlist was something that we took together. Serving in uniform is something that he loves and that is why I always support him," said the proud wife.
"I am incredibly proud of my son. The service in the Army Reserve has had a great positive impact on his life. I am certainly proud of his service," said the father, shortly after the ceremony.
Ninety percent of the Soldiers who reenlisted received bonuses, which averaged $10,000.
The US Army Reserve forces in Puerto Rico have become an essential part of the total force, with streamlined, deployable forces and citizen Soldiers who embody the warrior mindset and spirit.
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