'There is no higher calling': 26 military recruits sworn in at Suffolk County ceremony
U.S. Army recruit Sophia McNally of St. James, 18, right, embraces her aunt, Taylor Gorny of Lake Grove, during the oath of service ceremony for new military recruits at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge on Friday. Credit: Barry Sloan
Jason Hernandez began working in construction soon after earning a degree at Suffolk County Community College.
But, he told Newsday, he decided he needed a change, and a visit to the Navy Recruiting Station in Bay Shore set him on a path now in pursuit of becoming an electronics technician nuclear, the title for operators and maintainers of reactors that run Navy ships.
Hernandez, 24, of Copiague, was one of 26 recruits representing the Navy and Army who took the oath of enlistment at a ceremony Friday morning at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge.
Hernandez described enlisting as about "honor, courage and commitment."
“For me, it means that I'm going to make a change in my country,” he said.
Suffolk County hosted the ceremony for a second straight year as a way for recruits to be formally recognized in front of their families when taking the oath. The ceremony was held against the backdrop of a new exhibit in the building lobby highlighting the American Revolution in advance of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both the Army and Navy were formed during the American Revolution as the first branches of the military.
The recruits — most of whom will be graduating high school in June — stood side by side and held up their right hands as they recited the oath from retired Marine Corps Col. James Brennan, deputy director of the county’s Veterans Service Agency.
Brennan described the ceremony as a "very unique event," since most enlisted recruits are sworn in privately without family members present.
He described to family members how their children will return from basic training as changed people.
“These young men and women are making a very deep commitment, not just to themselves, but to you and to the rest of the country,” he said.
Smithtown East High School seniors Sophia McNally, 18, and Kaitlyn Sulin, 18, both took the oath of enlistment for the Army.
Sulin said she expected the Army to be about “hard work” and "discipline."
McNally said she’s enlisting as an intelligence analyst and will see where the military career takes her from there.
The recruits, who will begin basic training this summer, joined the armed forces at a time of escalating global conflicts, most recently the U.S. war in Iran that began Feb. 28. Several recruits interviewed said they had no reservations about becoming service members during a time of war, saying they were excited to begin serving.
Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine praised the recruits for their willingness to volunteer.
“There is no higher calling than to say, 'I will spend a few years serving my country,' ” he said during the ceremony.
Steven Castleton, former civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for New York South, addressed the recruits and described them as future CEOs and political leaders.
"Most importantly, I see individuals who will help make this a better world," he said.
Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 30: Baseball, All-Long Island and Plays of the Week! On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg stops by Kings Park to check out their pitching staff and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 30: Baseball, All-Long Island and Plays of the Week! On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Gregg stops by Kings Park to check out their pitching staff and Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week.
