Rifle High graduate Abdon Rivera takes oath of enlistment

(Edited From Garfield County Communications Office) 

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – Rifle High School graduate Abdon Rivera took his oath of enlistment as “Future Soldier” yesterday. His new title is the United States Army’s term for those joining its branch of service.

Rivera took the oath before family and friends, as well as a mentor teacher from school. He chose to take the oath at the Garfield County Commissioners’ chamber, an indication of his interest in public service. He is now part of the U.S. Army’s delayed entry program after considering his decision for a few years, and took this oath prior to entering basic training. He will take army preparatory training for three weeks and then basic training for nine weeks.

Rivera says, “I support our democracy, and I wanted to do something that is bigger than myself. A lot of people take our freedom for granted, and everything comes with a sacrifice to have what we have. It’s nice to go down the street and feel safe. We have great law enforcement personnel, like our Sheriff’s Office, and our county commissioners to help us as well.”

Rivera was sworn in by First Lieutenant of the Army, Jonathan Penman, who is stationed in Grand Junction. Also attending for the Army were Sergeant First Class Jimmy Burnett and Staff Sergeant Andrew Valencia of the U.S. Army recruiting station in Glenwood Springs, as well as Garfield County Commissioner Perry Will.

For future veterans, like Rivera, the Army has only recently begun holding oath ceremonies in public locations at the choice of the Future Soldier enlistees. “We do this to offer the chance for family and friends to witness the ceremony and to be a part of the choice their family member is making,” said Penman. He said the Army is the only branch of service doing this.

“These ceremonies are conducted after medical clearance is obtained, and before the final oath of enlistment at the Military Entrance Processing Station, which is not open to families and the public,” Penman said.

Trish O'Grady, a former teacher of Rivera, brought an army pin to the oath of enlistment. O'Grady served as a U.S. Air Force mechanic and in media and communications. She said the pin was her dad's, who was an Army veteran, and who had passed away before she retired from the military. She gave the pin to her stepmother, and then it was returned to O'Grady when she passed away. O’Grady pinned the Army pin on Abdon's lapel in honor of his choice to enlist.

Rivera’s mother and two sisters, as well as other family and friends watched, cheered and supported Rivera as he made his oath to set out on a new path to serve his country.