FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 21, 2015) -- Re-enlistment ceremonies are held for Soldiers who have sworn to continue their Army service by signing a contract, which adds additional time to their current term of service. More than 150 Sledgehammer Soldiers recited the oath of enlistment during a mass re-enlistment ceremony on Sledgehammer Field, on Kelley Hill, Oct. 16.
The brigade re-enlisted over 150 Soldiers for a combined total of 558 years of service and over $80,000 in bonuses, said Master Sgt. Thomas Olsen, the retention noncommissioned officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
Olsen said the ceremony took a lot of planning and coordination.
"All of the career counselors within the brigade were the ones that really did all of the work. It was a lot of late nights with coordinating everyone to be here," he said.
Staff Sgt. Tlessie Hollis, a unit supply specialist with 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, re-enlisted during the ceremony.
"This is something that I have never seen in my eight years of military service, a mass re-enlistment of more than 150 Soldiers," said Hollis.
Col. Michael Simmering, the brigade commander, was the main speaker and gave the Oath of Re-enlistment to the group of Soldiers.
Afterward, battalion commanders handed out individual certificates.
"I am taking a lot of pride in this," said Hollis. "It is amazing to see the support. I am honored to be in this ceremony."
"These Soldiers stepped up and made the commitment quicker, in order to make this event happen," said Olsen. "It's really amazing."
The ceremony ended with the singing of the 3rd ID song, the Dog Face Soldier Song, and then the singing of the Army song.
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