Millions of American men and women have taken an oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America." This is the promise that all members of the United States military make when they enlist or are commissioned. Many here on Kwajalein have taken this oath at some point in their lives and some are still serving today. However, there are also Marshallese citizens who take this same oath to the U.S. Constitution.
Recently, this took place as six young men and women took the oath of enlistment into the U.S. Army. A ceremony was held the morning of Jan. 27 at the community building on Ebeye.
The newly enlisted soldiers are Pvt. Ira Kelek, Pvt. Gracelynn Livai, Pvt. Robin Loeak, Pvt. Darryl Lorok, Pvt. Robert Masiwemai and Pvt. Nakoli Sakaio.
Representatives from the military on USAKA were present, including Maj. Stephen Parrish, Master Sgt. Charles George and Sgt. Joshua Gravett. Installation commander Col. Joseph Gaines spoke to new Soldiers and their family and friends.
"The oath that these men and women take today is what called the United States here to the Marshall Islands in 1944, and keeps us here today in mutual support of one another as partners," said Gaines.
Another honored guest at the ceremony was the Republic of the Marshall Islands Minister of Justice Brenson Wase, who also spoke of the relationship between the Marshall Islands and the United States.
The enlistment ceremony "symbolizes the many opportunities that are available through the Compact of Free Association," said Wase.
Recruits to the U.S. Army who are Marshallese citizens must meet all the same requirements as U.S. recruits, passing tests of their physical and intellectual aptitudes. A major component of this includes scoring well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB.
The USAKA community helps prepare possible Soldiers for these tests through the Recruit Indoctrination Program, and will be conducting tutoring sessions again this year. Each of these new privates met these requirements and will be headed to basic training soon.
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