MARINETTE, Wis — On Wednesday nearly 1,000 high school aged teens from across the country swore their allegiance to the United States Army, in the first ever oath of enlistment that was streamed from outer space. NBC26 caught up with some of the newest Army recruits in Marinette, to share their story.
At Marinette High School, while hundreds of students are making their way to class, six young men are about to pledge an oath to the United States of America that could forever change their lives.
"It's your promise to yourself and the United States that you will serve them no matter what happens and no matter what the cost could be," says Army recruit Jaden Stone a Senior at Marinette High School.
These teenagers have chosen to join the United States Army and one of the first steps of that process is reciting the oath of enlistment. The oath is a solemn swear to support and defend the constitution against all enemies and an oath that can even gives seasoned veterans, the feels.
"When you're actually standing there saying it with your right hand raised, every sentence starts to mean something to you," says Staff Sgt. Ronald Wheat, a Station Commander for the Marinette Army recruiting Station.
But Wednesday’s oath of enlistment is truly special. That's because for the first time ever Andrew Morgan, a NASA astronaut who's also an Army veteran is joining these recruits from space for their pledge to the country.
"I took a deep breath and I was like, this is the best thing for the country and for myself," adds Stone.
"You're laying down everything for your country and you're just putting it all on the line to help everybody else before you," says Gage Hartin, a junior from Marinette High School and an Army recruit.
Army representatives say by sharing NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan’s story, from starting on the ground with the Army to eventually going to outer space with NASA they're encouraging the next generation of Army recruits to think big, and to realize that the sky is the limit.
"These guys are definitely top tier material. I’m really happy and honored that I got to meet them and lead them to this next stage in their life," adds Staff Sgt. Kenneth Kluge of the US Army.
