CAMP TAJI, Iraq - The 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division marked its 1,000th reenlistment during Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation 06-08 here Sept. 19 with the reenlistment of Spc. Stephen Mattson, a supply specialist with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment.
Mattson, a native of Oak Harbor, Wash., joined the Army in 2005 and attended basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Va. His latest reenlistment was for six years and he received a $12,500 cash bonus. In addition to the bonus, he received the incentive of choosing his overseas station of choice which is Germany.
"I really like being in the Army, and I like my job and as far as reenlisting out here in the combat zone, I can't complain," said Mattson, who explained the reasons for his deciding to raise his right hand for a second time. "My current plan is to do 20 years and retire."
"When I found out that I was the 1,000 reenlistment it made me a little nervous, because of all the attention. I was just imagining a small quiet, average every day reenlistment," he added. "But I'm proud to have helped the brigade reach this milestone."
With two years active duty under his belt, Mattson will be leaving his current home station of Fort Hood, Texas for Germany sometime in 2008. While serving there, Mattson hopes to pursue a bachelor's degree in business administration.
During the current deployment, his first to Iraq, Mattson spends much of his time ensuring that his company has the equipment and supplies they need to complete their missions outside the wire.
The youngest of three children who comes from a military family, Mattson said it was only natural for him to stay Army.
"My mother and father met when they were in the Navy," said Mattson, explaining that his military roots run deep. "I also have an uncle Phil who is a retired Army officer and another uncle who retired from the Marine Corps, so everyone in the family have encouraged my decision to stay in the military."
Capt. Neil Harber, executive officer, Co. C, also praised Mattson's decision to reenlist and his performance as a unit supply specialist.
"It's a very good day for him and for the brigade," said Harber, a native of Fostoria, Ohio. "He got the incentives he wanted and it's going to be good to see him continue to grow as he pursues his Army career."
"He's a great Soldier and everyday he gets better and better. It's only a matter of time before he'll be a company supply sergeant," added Harber. "He picks things up quickly, is very squared away and is going to continue doing well in his Army career."
Mattson, an avid traveler who counts Wyoming and Alaska as some of his favorite destinations, said when gets to Germany, he hopes to continue his love of traveling, taking tours of Europe as well as pursuing his many other interests which include writing and photography.
For his long-term goals, Mattson said after he retires from military service and has his bachelor's degree, he hopes to get a job with a major distribution firm, such as Federal Express.
As of Mattson's reenlistment, the Ironhorse Brigade has handed more than $10 million in cash bonuses to reenlisting troopers.
Sgt. 1st Class Humberto Flores, 1st BCT senior career counselor and a native of Laredo, Texas, explained what the milestone of having reached 1000 reenlistments means to the Ironhorse Brigade and why the brigade has been successful when it comes to retention.
"We've reached a monumental milestone that is a great achievement for the brigade. It's amazing to see that nearly a third of the brigade has reenlisted over the course of this deployment," said Flores. "It speaks volumes about the Soldiers who are out here making sacrifices for their country in a time of war. It's good to know that these Soldiers are willing to stand up, defend their nation and pay the cost for freedom."
"But it's all about the leadership who are out here taking care of the Soldiers everyday and Soldiers trusting in their leadership in everything they do and believing in them," added Flores. "
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