Identical twins join the Army

Raven (l) and Ramia (r) Mercer, 18, are shipping off to Basic Training, Aug. 23, 2016 after high school graduation.

Story and photo
by Ron Toland

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion

     Ramia and Raven Mercer, 18, both are shipping off to Basic Training, Aug. 23, 2016 after graduation
from high school.
     "We want to build on our leadership and disipline skills," both twins said and want to make their
parents proud, since their dad and brother served in the Army.
     Both twins are enlisting as 92A--Logistics Specialists.
     "I want to protect the country," said Ramia. "I'm nervous, but am up for the challenge," she said.

Raleigh Recruiting Battalion Welcomes 1st Sgt. John Cargile

Story and Photo by 

Kevin Jefferson

Administrator, Charlotte Company

          

           On December 11, 1st Sgt. Jonathan D. Cargile will assume command as the senior advisor to the commander for Charlotte Company (3J9).

First Sergeant Jonathan Cargile is originally from Charleston, South Carolina. He enlisted in the Army as a Multiple Launch Rocket Systems Crewman (MOS 13M) on July 10, 2000 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. 

He has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was assigned to 18th Airborne Corp (Artillery), the 3rd Infantry Division, and the 2nd Marine Division, Expeditionary Force.  His combat experience as the first to utilize the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems resulted in selection to serve as a subject matter expert to assist deploying units to prepare for Combat Operations and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan at Fort Bragg, North Carolina

First Sergeant Cargile was assigned to the United States Army Recruiting Command in February of 2007. Since his arrival to the Recruiting Command he has held the positions of Recruiter, Team Leader (SUR), and Large Production Station Commander. He has also held First Sergeant positions with the St. Petersburg Recruiting Company and Tampa Recruiting Company.

            

           His military education includes the USAREC First Sergeant Course, Senior Leader Course, Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Station Commander Course, Army Recruiter Course, Modern Army Combatives Level 1 and 2, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) certification course, and the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course.  

         1^st Sgt. Cargile’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Iraq Campaign Service Medal(2 BS), the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Gold Recruiter Badge with 3 sapphires, Recruiter Ring, and the Glenn E. Morrell Award.

He is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management through Post University.

1SG Cargile has been married to his wife, Elizabeth (Lisa) Cargile, for 12 years. Together they have two children, Alyssa (10) and Braden(6).