1st Lt Prifogle’s Blog

“Group, Atten-hut.” The Personal Security Detachment (PSD) First Sergeant (1^st Sgt) calls the Marines to attention and does an about face to me. “Good morning, Ma’am.” He holds his hand up in a perfect salute.

I salute back, squinting in the burning sun. “Good morning.” I lower my hand to a fist at my side. “Take your post.” The 1^st Sgt lowers his hand after I do and steps off to his post on my left side. “At ease.” I announce and in perfect unison the three formations (officers, Staff Non-Commissioned Officers and Non-Commissioned officers) stand at ease.

I begin my speech I spent the last hour practicing in the small square mirror in my room.

“In 1994 Fidel Castro gave any Cuban who wanted to leave 72 hours to evacuate the country. 24 hrs later 9 yr old Sgt Browning and her mother were in Guantanamo, Bay Cuba on their way to the United States. They witnessed what she now knows was a change of command ceremony, but at the time Sgt Browning thought was a party for the Prince from Cinderella. She decided on that day she wanted to be a Marine. Ten years later Sgt Browning enlisted. It wasn’t until Dec 3, 2007 that Sergeant Browning was a United States Citizen. Today, it is my honor, to re-enlist Sergeant Browning for another 4 years of service in the United States Marine Corps. Group, Atten-hut.” Instantly the Marines and Sailors snap to attention.

“Marine to be re-enlisted, center. March.” The 1^stSgt snaps.

I look at this 22 year old woman. I think of the commitment she has already served to her country. Four years of honorable service. I think of the commitment she is about to make – four more years of service. “Raise your right hand.” I think of 6 months ago when I was pinning on Sergeant Chevrons. “Repeat after me.” I think of her 3 year old son at home waiting for her to come home safe. “I, state your name, do solemnly swear.”

“I, Irisleidy Browning, do solemnly swear.” She repeats, her steely gaze looking straight ahead not at me.

“To support and defend the constitution of the United States.”
-To support and defend the constitution of the United States. She repeats in a conversational tone as if it’s only her and I that matters. The spectators are just spectators.

“Against all enemies foreign and domestic.”
-Against all enemies foreign and domestic.

“To bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
-To bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

“That I will obey the orders of the president of the united states.”
-That I will obey the orders of the president of the united states.

“And the orders of the officers appointed over me.”
-And the orders of the officers appointed over me.

“According to the regulations.”
-According to the regulations.

“And the Uniform Code of Military Justice.”
-And the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

“So help me god.”
-So help me god.

The 1^st Sgt hands me the certificate and I hand it to Sgt Browning with my left hand and shake her right hand. Everything so meticulous and formal.

“Group. At ease.” The 1^stSgt announces and the formation stands at ease. Sgt Browning does an about face and addresses the formation.

“I’d like to say thanks for coming. It means a lot to me that everyone took time out of their day to support me and my reenlistment. Thanks.” She nervously, but confidently snaps back to attention and does another about face.

“Group. Atten-Hut.” The 1^st Sgt’s voice echoes over the sounds of generators and helicopters and jets in the distance. The sounds we have all become accustomed to over the long months in the desert. “Post.” Sgt Browning pivots to the right. “March.” She follows the 1^st Sgt’s commands and marches off.

“PSD 1^stSgt.” I call out. He marches to face me and salutes. I salute back. “Take charge and carry on with the plans of the day.” I don’t say – I recite. The words you never really hear when you are standing in a formation but you can read on the lips of the officer in charge of the formation.

“Aye, Ma’am.” He acknowledges my command. I march to the left side of the formation. The 1^stSgt does an about face to face the formation. “When you receive the command fall out and carry on with the plan of the day. Fall Out.”

I breathe out. It’s over. I did it. I am the youngest officer in our Headquarters command. I am the only 1^st lieutenant in a sea of Captains, Majors, Lieutenant Colonels and the Colonel. Ironically I find myself leading formations for my Marines more often then anyone else except the CO.

When a Marine re-enlists they can ask any officer to perform the ceremony. I am always honored when the Marines ask me. To me it is their way of showing respect. I am their Lieutenant. Even though I’m still a boot Lieutenant when it comes to the formalities and pomp and circumstance of drill and formations, they still ask me. I am their leader. So, I stand in front of the young Marines, the mature Marines, my Marines and repeat the speech I practiced.

“Sgt BonillaRubi was born in Honduras and moved to the states in 1993 when she was 7 years old. During her senior year of high school she decided she was going to be a Marine. She was not approached by recruiters. She had watched the transformation of her friends who went to boot camp and came back Marines and decided she was going to be a Marine. The final selling point was watching the commercial with a Marine recruit scaling the rock and reaching the top to be transformed into a Marine in his dress blues. She wanted to wear that uniform and walked into the recruiter’s office and asked where to sign.

Sgt Bonilla is one of the most determined Marines and people I’ve ever met. She was determined she would be a Marine and from the first time she took the oath she knew it would be 20 yrs. Through the ups and downs of her first four years this is still her plan. She was determined to latmove to Contracting and did not stop until she was granted the move. Today, it is my honor, to re-enlist Sergeant BonillaRubi for another 4 years of service in the United States Marine Corps.”

I inevitably forget its right hand over left, step here, stop there, and I leave out half the speech I practiced because I’m suddenly thinking what is the last line of the oath? But it’s not about me, it’s about the Marine. It’s about the commitment they are making. The sacrifices they have made and are willing to make for their country. It’s about the pride of being a Marine. It’s about being their Lieutenant. I simply cannot describe the feeling of pride and honor I have when I state those words “…solemnly swear to support and defend the constitution. . .” And hear it echoed by the voice of the Marines. “So help me god.”

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