Army chief of staff administers oath of enlistment to over 600 service members

By Sgt. Maj. Jason StadelNovember 6, 2023

Army supports Atlanta Falcons Call To Service event
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Future Soldiers from the greater Atlanta area participated in an oath of enlistment ceremony held during the halftime at the Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Atlanta Falcons welcomed future and current U.S. service members to their Call To Service event to help highlight the career opportunities provided by the U.S. Military.

While the rest of the NFL is having their Salute to Service events, the Atlanta Falcons decided to elevate their event and create the Call To Service event. The change is to recognize and honor the brave service men and women in the armed forces, as well as inspire others to learn the benefits of joining the military.

(U.S. Army photo by Lara Poirrier) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Lara Poirrier)
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Atlanta Falcons Call to Service
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – More than 600 future service members raise their right hand to answer the call to join the U.S. Military at the Atlanta Falcons Call to Service game Nov. 5, 2023. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Patrick Albright) VIEW ORIGINAL
Atlanta Falcons Call to Service
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – More than 600 future service members raise their right hand to answer the call to join the U.S. Military at the Atlanta Falcons Call to Service game Nov. 5, 2023.

The Atlanta Falcons welcomed future and current U.S. service members to their Call To Service event to help highlight the career opportunities provided by the U.S. Military. While the rest of the NFL is having their Salute to Service events, the Atlanta Falcons decided to take it a step further and create the Call To Service event. The change is aimed at recognizing and honoring the brave service men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces as well as inspiring others to learn the benefits of joining the military. (Photo Credit: Patrick Albright)
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Call to Service Atlanta Falcons Football Game
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 3rd Infantry Division Color Guard Soldiers stand at attention during an Enlistment Ceremony at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 5, 2023. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Rebeca Soria) VIEW ORIGINAL
Call to Service Atlanta Falcons Football Game
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 3rd Infantry Division Soldiers exit the field after the Re-Enlistment Ceremony hosted by the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 5, 2023. The Atlanta Falcons welcomed future and current U.S. service members to their Call To Service event to help highlight career opportunities in the U.S. Military. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Rebeca Soria) VIEW ORIGINAL
Atlanta Falcons Call to Service
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – More than 600 future service members raise their right hand to answer the call to join the U.S. Military at the Atlanta Falcons Call to Service game Nov. 5, 2023. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Denise Mosley) VIEW ORIGINAL

ATLANTA — Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy A. George gave the oath of enlistment to more than six hundred service members Nov. 5, 2023, during halftime of the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings NFL game in Atlanta. The ceremony included people joining the U.S. Army — including the National Guard and Army Reserve, the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy and Space Force. The formation also had Army service members continuing their service by reenlisting.

“We are honored to have you here with us today,” George said before administering the oath of enlistment. “The military will accelerate your life; I know you can ‘Be All You Can Be.’ For those of you who are reenlisting, and staying on our team, we are grateful. Most of us stay for a sense of purpose that we have ... we are honored you’re going to be in our ranks.”

Atlanta Falcons Call to Service
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – More than 600 future service members raise their right hand to answer the call to join the U.S. Military at the Atlanta Falcons Call to Service game Nov. 5, 2023. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Denise Mosley) VIEW ORIGINAL
Call to Service
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Rankin, U.S. Army Recruiting Command meets with a veteran during Home Depot Back Yard military appreciation prior to the Week 9 Game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, November 5, 2023. (Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of A.J. Reynolds, Atlanta Falcons) VIEW ORIGINAL
Atlanta Falcons Call to Service
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – More than 600 future service members raise their right hand to answer the call to join the U.S. Military at the Atlanta Falcons Call to Service game Nov. 5, 2023. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Patrick Albright) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Chief of Staff at Falcons Call to Service
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – General Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, shakes hands with a Soldier during the Call to Service event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, November 5, 2023. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Charles Emmons) VIEW ORIGINAL
Call to Service Atlanta Falcons Football Game
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the Army Six String Band perform the National Anthem at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 5, 2023. The Atlanta Falcons hosted members from every branch of the Military during their Call to Service game to honor Veterans Day. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Rebeca Soria) VIEW ORIGINAL

Each year the NFL hosts their “Salute to Service” effort to connect with America’s service members and their families. This year the Falcons wanted to highlight what the military has to offer for those who might be interested in joining with a “Call to Service” game.

"The Falcons and the NFL have been long-time supporters of the military, sharing an unwavering dedication to honoring, empowering, and connecting with our nation's service members, veterans and their families," said Atlanta Falcons President Greg Beadles in a press release. "We are honored to support our military's recruitment initiative and help share the benefits of service to the next generation of Soldiers."

During the game’s festivities, helicopter crews from the Aviation Center of Excellence flew over Mercadez-Benz Stadium during the National Anthem performed by the Army’s Six String Soldiers, the 75th Ranger Regiment rappelled from the stadium’s rafters during the halftime reenlistment and the 82nd Airborne Division chorus performed “God Bless America” for the more than 69,000 people in the stands.

The Minnesota Vikings would go on to defeat the Atlanta Falcons with a final score of 31-28.