Big Red One Soldiers Reenlist at Chicago Bears Veterans Day game

By Pfc. Joshua HolladayNovember 13, 2022

Big Red One Soldiers Reenlist at Chicago Bears Veterans Day game
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division recite the Oath of Enlistment during the reenlistment ceremony at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 13, 2022. The Soldiers conducted the ceremony during halftime of the Chicago Bears Veterans Day game. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay) VIEW ORIGINAL
Big Red One Soldiers Reenlist at Chicago Bears Veterans Day game
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Niave F. Knell, the 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Serrano, the Ready Reserve Division Command Sergeant Major (right) officate a reenlistment ceremony at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 13, 2022. Knell and Serrano attended the Chicago Bears Veterans Day game and held the ceremony at halftime. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay) VIEW ORIGINAL
Big Red One Soldiers Reenlist at Chicago Bears Veterans Day game
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Brig. Gen Niave F. Knell, the 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General (left), greets Christopher Schmidt, the Executive Director for the USO midwest region (right) after the reenlistment ceremony at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 13, 2022. Knell officated the ceremony during halftime of the Chicago Bears Veterans Day weekend game. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay) VIEW ORIGINAL
Big Red One Soldiers Reenlist at Chicago Bears Veterans Day game
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Brig. Gen Niave F. Knell, the 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Serrano, the Ready Reserve Division Command Sergeant Major (right), present gifts to Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey (center) at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 13, 2022. Knell and Serrano attended the Chicago Bears game and held a reenlistment ceremony at halftime. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay (Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay) VIEW ORIGINAL
Big Red One Soldiers Reenlist at Chicago Bears Veterans Day game
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (In order of left to right) U.S. Army Brig. Gen Niave F. Knell, the 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General, Spc. Kierra Carr, and Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Serrano, the Ready Reserve Division Command Sergeant Major stand for a group photo after a reenlistment ceremony at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 13. 2022. Knell officated the ceremony during the Chiacgo Bears halftime intermission, where Carr recited the Oath of Enlistment in front of a national audience. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay) (Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay) VIEW ORIGINAL

CHICAGO- The 1st Infantry Division led a joint service enlistment and reenlistment ceremony, Nov. 13, 2022, at Soldier Field.

The division was invited to conduct the enlistment and reenlistment as part of the Chicago Bears Veterans Day Weekend game, intended to honor both current and prior service members across the nation.

The Oath of Enlistment was administered by Brig. Gen. Niave F. Knell, the 1st Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General-Support. It was taken by dozens of new recruits who joined the Armed Forces as well as dozens more service members who chose to continue military service across the five branches.

The 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers who participated in the ceremony were Army Staff Sgt. David Hollister, Spc. Yadiel Adrovet-Vazquez, Sgt. Taylor McCullough, Staff Sgt. Jacob Peaks, Spc. Kierra Carr, Sgt. Argeliod Cuellar and Staff Sgt. Aaron Waters.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it,” Peaks said. “I get to celebrate my indefinite reenlistment with my favorite National Football League team.”

Carr, a Chicago native and culinary specialist assigned to the 1st Division Sustainment Brigade, felt honored and humbled to be a part of the reenlistment ceremony.

“Seeing the impact that I have on my community and fellow Americans…is a remarkable experience,”said Carr.

The ceremony, held during halftime, was the first of its kind for the 1st Inf. Div. The reenlistment and enlistment were nationally televised and witnessed by more than 28.2 million people.

“I’m grateful," Peaks said, " The Big Red One allowed me to celebrate this opportunity and am proud of renewing my vow to my country."