News Resources

Army Celebrates Future Soldiers and their Families with Induction Ceremony

NEW YORK (October 1, 2008) –Secretary of the Army Pete Geren will preside at a ceremony today in which nine Army future Soldiers will take the oath of enlistment as part of celebrating the all-volunteer Army’s anticipated success in achieving its recruiting goal for the fiscal year that just ended.  Men and women from New York and across the country will take the oath at 9:30 a.m. EDT outside New York’s Times Square Armed Forces recruiting station.

“I’m excited about taking the first step toward wearing the Army uniform, and about all the future opportunities – training, career growth and service to my country – that the Army offers,” said future Soldier and New York area resident Yosero Kim.  “I truly believe the Army will transform my life and give me the leadership I need to succeed.”

Secretary Geren will thank the future Soldiers’ families for standing behind their family member’s commitment to helping strengthen the most qualified and effective land power in the world. While final figures are not available, the total Army – Active, Reserve and National Guard – is postured to meet recruiting goals for the year. 

As an example, the Army reports the highest recruitment of high school seniors in five years.   Soldier reenlistment rates also continue to exceed goals.

"We are proud of the men and women who step forward in the middle of a war and raise their hand to serve," said Secretary of the Army Pete Geren. "That tells you a lot about the character of those men and women, about their patriotism, about their commitment.  They are the strength of
our nation."

Administering the oath of enlistment to the recruits will be Gen. William S. Wallace, commander of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command.

Along with the new enlistees, a group of outstanding Soldiers who represent Army “Faces of Strength” will participate in the ceremony. They will signify what young men and women become after being immersed in the Army training and value system. These Soldiers include decorated war veterans, an Olympic athlete, the Army’s two top Drill Sergeants of the Year and the Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.

One of the Army’s exceptional civilian employees also will participate, representing their vital role in recruiting, transforming recruits into Soldiers, and in the Army’s overall success.

“These men and women are joining an elite force of well-trained and disciplined Soldiers who make up the backbone of our nation’s defense,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Noland.  “They will also receive financial assistance to advance their education by serving in the Army.”

Noland, a member of the Army Reserve’s 95th division based out of Oklahoma City, Okla., was recently honored as one of the Army’s Drill Sergeants of the Year.  Noland will be among the outstanding Soldiers at the Times Square ceremony. 

The Army faces the most challenging recruiting environment since the military became all-volunteer more than 35 years ago.  Only three out of 10 Americans age 17 to 24 qualify for military service.  The rest do not meet the Army’s standards for health, education or character. 

Final Army recruiting numbers will be released by the Department of Defense later this month.