If you are the family members and friends of SGTs Emily Anderson, Jeremy Fowler and Kade Miller, thank you! Research has shown that the main reason Army Reserve soldiers leave military service is because their families ask them to leave. Today, these three soldiers raised their hand and swore the oath of reenlistment — a testament to your support.

(From l to r) SGTs Kade Miller, Jeremy Fowler and Emily Anderson receive the oath of reenlistment from their 314th PAOC commander LTC Ignacio Perez (photo by PFC Christine Bernat).

LTC Perez, the unit commander, was the officer administering the oath, and you could see the pride on his face. Any leader is happy to see his or her employees choose to continue to follow.

For doing so, each of these soldiers continues to serve in our Army Reserve. They also reap lots of tangible and intangible benefits, like GI Bill educational money. And, of course, the reenlistment bonus is ALL tax free! If you have been watching the news about current enlistment rates (the Army had recruited more than 115% of their goals last month), choosing to reenlist right now is also a wise decision: the current rumor mill says that the reenlistment bonuses will be decreasing soon.

So, to the three of you, on behalf of an NCO with a limited numbers of years left in his military career, thanks for being the future generation of Army Reserve NCO leadership.