Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Air National Guard director Clarke makes Wyoming re-enlistment ceremony memorable By Sgt. Meredith Vincent
                197th Public Affairs Detachment
 CHEYENNE, Wyo. - When Master Sgt. Mark Withers first decided to re-enlist for the Wyoming Air National Guard, he did not expect it to be anything out of the ordinary. With 30 years of service under his belt, Withers has seen his fair share of re-enlistments; this was old news for the Cheyenne father of three. So when he received a call asking if he'd be willing to participate in a special ceremony during the Thunderbird show at Laramie County Community College (LCCC) Wednesday, he was surprised. Even more unexpected - the enlisting officer would be the Director of the Air National Guard, Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke. "It was definitely a unique experience," Withers said. "I think if anybody gets the opportunity to do this, they should - it's once in a lifetime." Withers was joined by two other re-enlisting Wyoming Air Guard Airmen and 13 active Air Force recruits. In front of a crowd of hundreds of spectators, the future and current Airmen lined up in the closed-off street, ready to take their oaths. After being introduced, Clarke addressed the audience, thanking them for their support. "I appreciate the opportunity to do this," the lieutenant general said to the crowd. "I appreciate the opportunity to be here and I appreciate the great hospitality here in Cheyenne." As family members and the audience looked on, Clarke swore in first the re-enlistees, then the new recruits. Senior Airman Andy Vang, of Nebraska, said the event was a much bigger spectacle than his previous enlistment. "There were a lot more people," said the six-year service member. "Doing it in front of a crowd of people was definitely more nerve-wracking." Directly following the ceremony, the Airmen took a seat at a table nearby to sign their re-enlistment paperwork. They reflected on their own initial enlistments after standing near the new recruits. What words of wisdom would they pass down to a new generation of Airmen? "The main thing would be to pursue an education while you're in the military," Withers said. "The nice thing about being in the Air Force is you can change career fields any time you want. You can get a vast knowledge built up in several different career fields." That know-how and expertise can easily be translated into a career outside the Air Force, continued Withers. "If you don't make the military your career, you still have all that experience [to use] in the civilian world," he said. The ceremony was just one of the many stops on Clarke's agenda while in Cheyenne. On Tuesday he toured the Wyoming Air National Guard facilities, including the recently-renovated Building 16 and the 153rd Maintenance Squadron. While at LCCC, he visited not only with the enlisting Airmen, but also the Thunderbird staff, accompanied by Wyoming National Guard Adjutant General Luke Reiner. However, for the three re-enlisting Airmen, it was themorning ceremonythat will stick out for years to come. "It was a great experience," said Vang. "Definitely another story to tell."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 3 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil