Soldiers come together for March Madness mass re-enlistment

By Stephanie Bryant, Tripler Army Medical Center Public AffairsMarch 7, 2012

Soldiers come together for March Madness mass re-enlistment
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – HONOLULU -- Thirty-two Soldiers from Tripler Army Medical Center, Schofield Barracks Health Clinic and U.S. Army Public Health Command-Hawaii take the Re-enlistment Oath administered by Brig. Gen. Keith Gallagher, commanding general, Pacific Regional... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers come together for March Madness mass re-enlistment
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – HONOLULU -- Thirty-two Soldiers from Tripler Army Medical Center, Schofield Barracks Health Clinic and U.S. Army Public Health Command-Hawaii take the Re-enlistment Oath administered by Brig. Gen. Keith Gallagher, commanding general, Pacific Regional... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HONOLULU -- Thirty-two of Pacific Regional Medical Command's Soldiers gathered on Tripler Army Medical Center's Commanding General's lanai to participate in the March Madness Mass Re-enlistment, March 2.

The Soldiers came from Tripler Army Medical Center, Schofield Barracks Health Clinic and U.S. Army Public Health Command-Hawaii to take the Re-enlistment Oath administered by Brig. Gen. Keith Gallagher, commanding general, PRMC and TAMC.

Gallagher welcomed the families to stand with their Soldiers as they took the oath.

"We know (re-enlisting) is a family decision," Gallagher explained. "It's a tough decision, especially with deployments and moving. I want to thank you because you are here today."

Master Sgt. John Kiehl, career counselor, Retention Office, PRMC, who organized the event, said March Madness took place across the entire Pacific region.

"Mass re-enlistment ceremonies were held across the region today, with 61 Soldiers renewing their commitment to service," Kiehl said.

One of the Soldiers eager to recommit their service was Sgt. Jared Chumley, combat medic, Family Practice, Schofield Barracks Health Clinic.

Chumley, who has served in the Army for six years, re-enlisted for an additional three years.He was unsure of the direction he wanted his life to take, so he joined the Army.

"When I joined, I knew this is what I want to do," Chumley explained. "(The Army) is great and I love to help people."

Being able to renew his service was not the only thing that made the re-enlistment ceremony special for Chumley. He was happy to have Gallagher administer the oath.

"He was my (commanding general) in Germany" Chumley said. "It's a rare opportunity to meet with Brig. Gen. Gallagher and all the brass up here at the hospital and get together with everyone else. Even though it was a mass re-enlistment it was more personal than I had thought (it would be). I enjoyed it."

Gallagher was proud that so many of his troops across the region are ready and willing to serve the nation.

"I want to congratulate each and every one of you because you are the best of the best," Gallagher said. "It is about retaining quality Soldiers in our Army to continue to lead and serve for the next 10-20 years. We want to thank you for re-enlisting in our Army because we need strong, effective leaders. Each and every one of you has demonstrated that."

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