Why I Serve - Soldier Reenlists to Better Life for Family
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
by Ryan Stroud
Spc. Jerry Jones' Monday morning began unlike many others in his military career. He was standing within the front doors of Newhall Hall with the highest officials of the 59 th Ordnance Brigade staring at him and his 5 year old daughter, Natalie, while she was dancing around his legs.
He was then asked to raise his right hand. Nope, not a normal day at all.
However, getting to this moment wasn't easy for Jones, a member of HHC, 59 th , or his family. With a lot of hard work and dedication, nothing could hold this track mechanic back.
"After graduating high school, I went to college for a year and after that, I worked at the golf course on Ft. Rucker," said Jones. "Soon after, I joined the Army. There weren't many jobs where I am from so the Army felt like the right decision to make to help take care of my family.
"I wanted to join the Army because the pay's really nice," Jones added with a smile. "They take care of housing and utility bills, plus they give me money for food. It's a goods deal and the Army has done well taking care of my family."
But Jones' wishes to be an American Soldier almost didn't happen.
"I got into some trouble a few years back but now I've cleaned up my act," a remorseful Jones admitted. "The Army has helped me realize I needed to get my head on straight and stop doing (wrong) things. Because of the Army, my family is being taken care of and I've bettered my life."
Now in service, Jones said reenlisting wasn't a hard decision to make.
"It took so long for me to get in the Army; I told God that if he helped me get in, I would at least do 20 years of service," he said. "I will uphold that promise. I know He played a big part in getting me in and I owe it to myself, my family and to my faith to do the best I can while I'm in."
The now 27 year old Jones has a bright future ahead of him and even has his retirement plans laid out for himself, his wife and daughter.
"I've reenlisted for 5 more years of service and will be heading out to Ft. Benning, where I hope to work on tanks again and possibly go downrange," he said. "I'm trying to look at deployment positively and invest the extra money my family will receive in buying a house after my 20 years are up.
"Plus, retiring at the age of 45 is still young, it's better than retiring at 60 or 70. After I retire, I would like to move to Tuscaloosa, buy a house out there and work part-time as a mechanic and collect two paychecks. I'm hoping by the time I retire, I will at least be an E-8. The rest is up in the air."
Jones still has a few months left here on the Arsenal before heading out to Ft. Benning. Until then, he says he'll keep do what the Army asks and looks forward to future opportunities.
"Reenlisting was a good feeling. I really love the Army. That is why I serve. The Army takes care of me and my family," Jones said.
Ryan Stroud is a military trained journalist who has served in Iraq with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, US Army. Prior to his military experiences, Stroud grew up playing, coaching, and refereeing soccer. Also, Stroud focused many years of his life playing, touring, and recording/producing local music acts. He has a wonderful wife of 4 years, a 2 year old son and a newborn daughter.
Stroud's biggest writing influences are Jim Butcher, Chuck Palahniuk, Edward Lee, Jack Ketchum, Christopher Moore and Ben Fox.
He currently resides in Huntsville, Al, with the 59th Ordnance Brigade at Redstone Arsenal.
Stroud would also like to take a moment to thank his friends who are currently in battle over in Iraq. God bless all of you.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Wonderful achievable goals. My best to Spc Jones. May God Bless and keep you and your family
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of success through hard work and commitment. I for one, am truly grateful for all who serve in an capacity in our military--front line and behind the scenes. We need both! Lord bless you! Teresa
Thank you both for your comments. They really mean a lot!
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