30 Future Soldiers take the oath of enlistment. An oath I took 37 years ago at the MEPS in Butte, MT.

Via WAFB

June 14 marks the Army’s 239th birthday, however the ceremony was held Friday in Baton Rouge. The Army was founded 239 years ago in 1775.

Local soldiers cut a cake with a sword at Perkins Rowe in the Cinema Courtyard known as Town Hall.

Tradition has it that the longest enlisted soldier and the newest one does the honors. The longest enlisted soldier was Sgt. Maj. Alphonso Garcia who has been enlisted for 26 years. The newest soldier, Future Soldier Danasia Jones.

Future Soldier Danasia Jones said she didn’t think twice about signing up to serve her country.

“I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to go to college for at the time, so I knew I had to make a move quick. I didn’t think about it, I just came and enlisted in the Army because I know it’s guaranteed success.”

Jones leaves for boot camp in South Carolina in about a month.

Also during the celebration, 30 Baton Rouge area future soldiers took their oath of enlistment, including Future Soldier Jones.