CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan -- A Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) raised his right hand, Oct. 7, and pledged to continue honorably serving his country in a reenlistment ceremony here.
The ceremony for Staff Sgt. Jose Reyna took place at Transportation Support Company A’ motor transport lot, where senior leadership, fellow colleagues and subordinates watched him dedicate another four years of his life to the Marine Corps.
Reyna, company gunnery sergeant for Transportation Support Company A, CLB-5, 1st MLG (FWD) was not ready to hang up his uniform just yet.
"I feel like I can do things for the Marine Corps; I am just not ready to get out," said Reyna, who first enlisted in March 2000.
It was the last leg of his current deployment that solidified this decision.
"The camaraderie and willingness to help each other amongst the Marines [during this deployment] made me realize I didn’t want to leave just yet," said Reyna.
Several months ago, committing to the extra time on active duty was not a certainty.
"I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do," said Reyna. "Just in case I didn’t stay in, I was prepared." Reyna took the Border Patrol exam and successfully passed before deploying, he explained.
Even though his mind wasn’t officially made up yet, his family was positive about his commitment to the Marine Corps and his career.
"She said it was expected of me to stay in," said Reyna when asked what his wife, Evelyn, thought about him reenlisting. "She said she knew ever since she met me that the military life was a part of me."
With a supportive family and the motivation to serve his country, Reyna seems to be in it for the long haul.
"Not planning on getting out anytime soon, I plan to retire when my time comes," said Reyna.