This week leading up to the Army-Navy game is usually full of
spirit missions and pranks to help pump up both teams and give them energy to
win the game. You don’t often hear about Army and Navy personnel working
together this week but it happened in the town of Hemingway, S.C.
Staff Sgt. Derek Calhoun, Georgetown Recruiting Center, reenlisted
into the Army by Dr. Richard M. Neal, who is a retired Navy Lieutenant. His day job is
the Principal of Carvers Bay High School, a school that Calhoun has worked with
for two years.
“This is my last enlistment and I wanted
it to be special,” Calhoun said. He thinks the school has a great atmosphere
and although he doesn’t know if the students will remember him by name, he hopes
they will remember the Army ceremony.
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| Carvers Bay High School Principal Richard Neal and Army Staff Sgt. Derek Calhoun with Marine Corps JROTC cadets. |
The ceremony was held December 11 in the
auditorium with the Marine JROTC cadets on stage. Several teachers said it was
something they had never seen. Neal said it was a first for him as well.
“I have never been asked to do this but
it is great to have someone think about you when you are not looking,” Neal
said. He said he really enjoys working with Calhoun because he is proactive.
“He asked the question of how he can help the school such as do you need a substitute
teacher. He also takes time with the parents and introduces them to good
citizenship.
Both Neal and Master Sgt. Joe Epps,
senior leader of the school’s Marine Corps JROTC, said it was a great honor to
conduct the ceremony. “It was a win-win for both of us,” Calhoun said.
So cheer on your team for the game on
Saturday. But remember the services always work together for a common goal,
even on Army-Navy rivalry week.
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| Retired Navy Lt. Richard Neal adminsters the oath of enlistment to Army Staff Sgt. Derek Calhoun. |
