Austin, Texas (June 14, 2021) – U.S. Army Futures Command observed the 246th Army Birthday with an enlistment ceremony and the traditional cake-cutting ceremony to a packed house at its headquarters location in Austin, Texas.
Lt. Gen. Scott McKean, Army Futures Command Deputy Commanding General and Futures and Concepts Center director, hosted the day’s events and reminded the audience about the Army’s beginnings and how it more than overcame that shaky start.
“On June 14, 1775, the United States wasn’t even a nation yet. At the time, the only source of defense people had was their local militia, consisting of part-time citizen-soldiers who were mostly untrained. On that day, the Second Continental Congress voted to establish a Continental Army to fight for our nation’s independence during the American Revolution,” McKean said. “For so many at home and abroad, our Army represents the beacon of freedom, and hope for those oppressed worldwide. We are what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt described as the ‘Arsenal of Democracy. We are the Army of the Free!’”
Following the welcome, McKean swore in 10 Future Soldiers with the oath of enlistment and after spending a few moments with each of the new Soldiers, presented them each with a coin.
McKean said, the Future Soldiers stood and rose their right hand as the representation of the American people, and will become our next generation of our force. “Some will go on to become part of the Infantry, combat engineers, combat medics, sustainment soldiers or work in the science, technology and information field … and many will find themselves in places around the world doing things they never thought possible as a member of a team.”
Alexandra Carruth, from Jarell, Texas was among the Future Soldiers sworn in today. She will follow in her father’s footsteps and go on to serve as a combat medic following Basic Combat Training.
“My dad always talked about great it was to be a part of the Army,” she said. “And, I am looking forward to following him and serving my country.”
After the enlistment, the official party then moved on to the cake cutting ceremony. As is tradition in the U.S. Army, the youngest and the most senior Soldiers were part of the celebration. Today it was 2nd Lt. Aanand Shah from the Army Software Factory and Col. Fran Hardison, the director of Human Capital for Army Futures Command.
In speaking with the crowd, McKean said to the Future Soldiers, “The potential is boundless. Once again I am honored to share this moment with you, thank you for your willingness to serve”.
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