Army Recruiter reenlisted by Retired Navy officer and High School Principal

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.

 

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.

Retired Navy Lt. Richard Neal adminsters the oath of enlistment to Army Staff Sgt. Derek Calhoun.