NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, administered the oath of enlistment to a group of more than 25 young men and women going through the Military Entrance Processing Station at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 21.
The oath of enlistment is one of the first steps these young individuals take to become members of the Armed Forces.
“It’s a great privilege to administer the oath to applicants who are future service members getting ready to go to basic training and to thank the moms and dads who are allowing them to become a part of the nation’s finest, as well as give some sage advice to the applicants,” said Battaglia.
Upon taking this initial oath, the men and women have committed themselves to serving their country and will begin preparing themselves for basic training.
“I feel very humble. I never imagined someone with such prestige would do something like this before we have even earned the title,” said Brandon Paris, a member of the Delayed Entry Program from Marine Corps Recruiting Station New Jersey, Recruiting Substation Elizabeth, commonly referred to as a ‘poolee.’
There is little doubt that the events that took place today will be a cornerstone on many of their young lives.
“It was inspirational to hear him talk with us before giving the oath,” said Hector Melendez, a poolee from RS New Jersey, RSS Essex.
The young men and women who attended this ceremony will depart for their service-specific basic training anywhere from the next few months to a year and will begin their transformation into U.S. service members.