By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
SINGAPORE, June 4, 2004 – Within sight of Indonesia, Malaysia and downtown Singapore, 30 sailors and two Marines took the re-enlistment oath here today from Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex.
 Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld administers the Oath of Enlistment to sailors aboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, June 4, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Singapore to attend the International Institute of Scientific Studies Conference, meet with regional leaders and visit with U.S. troops. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr., USAF(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available. |
Rumsfeld is here to meet with Singaporean officials and to participate in the annual "Shangri-la Dialog" conference of Pacific nations.
"I thank you for your decision to re-enlist, to stay in the service of our nation, to keep our military forces strong with your experience and your professionalism," Rumsfeld told the sea service members gathered on the ship's deck. "And I certainly want to say that you make us all very proud."
Three crew members of the guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell, on its first six-month deployment from its San Diego home port, were among the sailors who re-enlisted.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Sarah Young of Palmyra, N.Y., said re-enlisting was always in the cards for her. "I planned on making this a career since I've been in," she said, adding that her experience in the Navy has lived up to her expectations.
For Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel J. Buit of Muskegon, Mich., the decision to raise his hand for a third term was easier than it was for his first re- enlistment. "I wasn't going to re-enlist the first time, but I decided to," he said. Now, he added, he's a career sailor.
Though he wasn't always sure whether he'd make a career of the Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Seltzer of Greeley, Colo., said today's re-enlistment sealed the deal. "It isn't every day you get to do it with the secretary of defense," he said.
Young said she already was scheduled to re-enlist here when her lieutenant asked her if she'd like to have Rumsfeld administer the oath. "I didn't even think twice about it," she said. "I was like, "Heck, yeah!"
Biography:
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld
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Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld congratulates a sailor who has just re-enlisted aboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, June 4, 2004. Rumsfeld is in Singapore to attend the International Institute of Scientific Studies Conference, meet with regional leaders and visit with U.S. troops. Photo by Tech. Sgt.Jerry Morrison Jr., USAF |
