Posted on 07/31/2023 9:23:19 AM PDT by Red Badger
Country music legend Craig Morgan reenlisted in the Army at age 59 and was sworn in on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday.
You’ve got a heart of stone if the video of Morgan reenlisting doesn’t make you ball your eyes out. The former veteran was joined on stage by Gen. Andrew Poppas, Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, and Republican Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn, and sworn in in front of a sold-out crowd, according to Stripes.
Apparently, Blackburn was a big part of the reason Morgan made the decision to reenlist. During a conversation over the Army’s low recruitment numbers in 2022, Morgan said he wanted to sign back up. He’d previously served 17 years for his country, ten of which were spent on active duty.
The only problem was Morgan’s age. He was 58 at the time, and the mandatory retirement age for the Army is 62. That’s when Blackburn stepped in and made sure Morgan’s dream came true.
“I realized that there’s so much that I’ve missed — the friends, the feeling of the sense of accomplishment,” Morgan said of his decision, Stripes reported. “I realized that I’ve missed it so much and I truly believe that I still have more to give.”
Morgan will now hold the rank of Staff Sergeant and Warrant Officer, and he plans to continue recording, releasing, and touring with his music, Fox noted.
Having seen Morgan perform up here in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, I can honestly say this move doesn’t surprise me. I’ve never met someone with more respect, faith, and passion for his country and his fellow countrymen.
America is better for men like Morgan. You can listen to his song “Soldier” here:
I doubt he needs it...............
That’s coming down the pike.
When you can’t tell the difference between “ball” and “bawl”, you probably shouldn’t be writing articles.
``````````````````````````````````
Several years ago I read a lengthy article in National Geographic about hunting dogs, specifically hounds.
In it, the author made numerous references to “braying hounds” “hearing the hounds bray in the distance” “braying of the hounds” etc.
Frankly, one is disappointed in Marsha Blackburn for joining in a spectacle like this with a well-preserved but nonetheless 59-yo man enlisting for duty in the woke Army.
Staff Sargeant and Warrant Officer?
That and he might have been drinking Bud Light.
You can hold an active rank and a reserve rank. I served with guys that held a rank of E-8 active and O-6 in the reserves.
My grandpa was 59 when he reenlisted. Granted, it was 1941 and he was in the Philippines.
LDO assignment Slot most likely..........
I don’t know that acronym.
Here's how something like that happened for me. My retirement rank was E-8, my highest grade listed was O-3.
I left active duty as an E-6. Went into the reserves as an E-4, went to OTS and eventually attained O-3 (as a C-141 pilot).
I took a riff when peace broke out after President Reagan busted the Soviet Union, (remember the pilot glut? Mustangs were the first to go.) and elected to stay in the reserves as an E-5 ( C-141 Loadmaster) then rose over time to E-8 until retirement from the reserves.
Given all that, I think the author of the article just plain did not know the difference in ranks between staff sergeant and warrant officer.
Light duty officer?
Good for him. Some people still do things for love of country above all else.
‘Limited’...............
Thanks.
It’s a officer that is really a senior enlisted man that fills a slot that is reserved for an officer but none are available. Usually office company grade honchos and desk warriors.
At one point in the Marines we had a 2nd Lieutenant that was a Master Gunnery Sergeant. Looked kinda weird seeing a 50+ year old guy with Butter Bars.....................
Interesting, I had never heard of that.
I know of a Chief that went to butter bar so he could be an initial PJ Officer.
I’m trying to find it online…
It’s only in the Navy and Marine Corps, AFAIK.........................
That’s a good reason why I have no clue.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.