KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Maj. Patrick Devine, left, chaplain with Train, Advise, Assist Command-South (TAAC-South) and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, officiates the re-enlistment ceremony for Staff Sgt. Marcus P. Levering, religious affairs NCO, TAAC-South and 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div., March 17, 2018, in Kandahar, Afghanistan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — When Staff Sgt. Marcus P. Levering raised his right hand and repeated the oath of enlistment he wasn’t just making the Army his career, he was also continuing his father’s legacy.
Friends and leaders gathered March 17 to watch as Levering, religious affairs NCO with Train, Advise and Assist Command-South (TAAC-South) and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, re-enlisted for the last time.
The Army’s Noncommissioned Officer Career Status Program, formally known as the Indefinite Re-enlistment Program, allows eligible enlisted Soldiers with the rank of staff sergeant and 12 or more years of service, to sign for an indefinite period, according to the official Army Re-enlistment page.
Growing up, Marcus Levering was exposed to the military through his father, retired Sgt. 1st Class Mark Levering, who served in the Army for 22 years as a motor transport operator.
However, it wasn’t until the tragedies of 9/11 when Marcus Levering felt it was time to serve his country.
“My dad was stationed at Fort Stewart (Georgia) at the time, and I was a freshman in high school,” said Marcus Levering. “Hearing what happened really (made me angry) and after reading a book called ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ I thought, what better way to serve God and my country, than by becoming part of the (chaplain corps).”
After graduating from Ridge View High School in Columbia, South Carolina, he enlisted in the Army as a religious affairs specialist on July 7, 2005.
“It was kind of a surprise (when Marcus enlisted),” said Mark Levering. “I was never the type of father to push the military on my son but one day he came home and said ‘I joined the Army as a (religious affairs specialist), and I’m leaving for basic training.’”
Now, nearly 13 years later, Mark Levering is full of pride for the decisions his son made and for being able to witness his military career, as he once did.
“I was gone an awful lot during my career but I owe my wife the utmost gratitude because (the man) Marcus is today has a lot do with his mother,” said Mark Levering.
The ceremony was even more significant for Marcus Levering because he was able to conduct his last re-enlistment as a 4th Inf. Div. Soldier.
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KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Maj. Patrick Devine, left, chaplain with Train, Advise, Assist Command-South (TAAC-South) and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, congratulates Staff Sgt. Marcus P. Levering, religious affairs NCO with TAAC-South and 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div., March 17, 2018, after the re-enlistment ceremony in Kandahar, Afghanistan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
A lot of Soldiers want to be in the 82nd (Airborne Division) or the 101st (Airborne Division), but not me,” said Marcus Levering. “I have always wanted to be a 4th Inf. Div. Soldier, just like my dad once was.”
Mark Levering’s first assignment in the Army was with the 4th Inf. Div. and he deployed with it nearly 30 years ago.
“It’s emotional to see that my son was able to take it back to where it all started for me,” he said.
With Marcus Levering having seven years to complete his 20 years of service in the Army and become retirement eligible, his father had some words of wisdom.
“I want him to stay true to who he is and never forget where he came from,” said Mark Levering. “As an NCO his job is to teach, coach and mentor and I want him to never forget those words from the NCO Creed.”
With his father’s advice, Marcus Levering said he wants to be that positive mentor for the younger generation of religious affairs specialists.
“I had some good and some bad leadership,” said Levering. “I want to be that good leader for my Soldiers and pass on my experience so they don’t have to go through the rough times I went through.”
Mark Levering said he cannot wait to see his son’s accomplishments in the next chapter of his career.
“(Marcus) has come a long way in his career, but I know regardless of how hard it gets he won’t give up,” said Mark Levering. “It’s emotional seeing that my son is following in my footsteps, he is a great NCO, and I can’t wait to see him when he comes home from this deployment … I will always be here for him.”