AT SEA ABOARD USS RONALD REAGAN IN THE GULF OF OMAN – More than 70 Sailors assigned to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 gathered on the flight deck of the Nimitz-Class aircraft carrier Oct. 13, to reaffirm their oath of enlistment during a mass re-enlistment ceremony.
The ceremony was overseen by Capt. K.J. Norton, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer, and Capt. Thomas Lalor, commander of CVW-14.
“Out of all the things I do as the commanding officer, reenlisting Sailors is the greatest thing I do. It was also a great way to start the day,” said Norton.
Lalor added that the timing and the circumstances of the ceremony made it particularly special. Hours after taking the oath, the Sailors were back at work, helping launch CVW-14 aircraft into Afghanistan.
“Being there on the same day as the Navy’s Birthday and while on the front lines defending our country’s freedom made it a very special occasion,” said Lalor.
Approximately $2.4 million in Selective Reenlistment Bonus’ (SRB) were awarded to re-enlisting Sailors. The benefits are not taxable, as the ship is currently operating in the 5th Fleet area of operations, a combat zone tax exclusion. Sailors also received other perks, such as special liberty, 30 days of duty exemption and head-of-the-line privileges.
“Tax free SRB’s was a driving force behind some of the people to re-enlist,” said Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/AW) Staci Bradley.
But for many Ronald Reagan Sailors, the biggest reward was the chance to continue to serve their country at sea.
“I feel that being in the Navy is fun and it’s the right thing to do right now with everything that’s going on in the world,” said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Steve Song. “When you enjoy something, you want to do it for a long time.”
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th fleet area of operations in support of regional security. Operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States’ commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.
