Tim Kennedy, former UFC fighter, reenlists in the U.S. Army, in Normandy on D-Day
Former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy will continue his service in the U.S. Army as the 44-year-old has reenlisted in the U.S. Army, once again extending his military obligations.
The active U.S. Army Soldier had quite the reenlistment ceremony as he raised his right hand and recited the oath of enlistment while in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6.
The Normandy landings were the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during the Second World War. Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day, it is the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.
On social media, Kennedy wrote:
“I had the opportunity to reenlist in Normandy on the drop zone during D-Day.
Freedom and Liberty are threatened around the world in a way we haven’t seen since the darkest days of the Cold War- You’ve deployed to combat, to deter, and to defend. You’ve trained the smartest, deadliest, most technically sophisticated force ever fielded. Now is time to lead- to continue to set the example that made you successful in your career thus far. Show the next generation of war fighters what you’ve learned. They- and our Nation- need your influence, your knowledge and most of all your leadership. Whether you choose another four years or to make the military a career- your Service is the country’s greatest asset and we need you now more than ever.
You could go to college and accumulate $100,000 in debt pursuing a degree that is useless in the real world, or you could join the military. Learn a truly marketable skill, be taught from one of the last institutions that provides you tangible leadership, and then will pay for you to follow and be educated in a career that you have experience in.
I wanted to reenlist now because I think we are at a vulnerable time in American history, perhaps even if just to prove that I can still keep up with the young studs (which I can’t). The camaraderie and sense of purpose that come from serving your country and supporting your fellow soldiers are unmatched—besides, who else will explain to the newbies that MREs are a punishment, not a privilege?
I can’t begin to explain how significant and meaningful it was to me to have chief of staff of the United States Army General George do my reenlistment, the SMA Weimer overseeing the execution of the oath, and General Donahue close enough to kill me. We were flanked by a warrior from every American conflict since WW2. Around me are some of the greatest men in my life. All 8 combat veterans in special operations during GWOT.”
Kennedy joined the Army on January 4, 2004, and completed Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, Airborne School, Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course. Kennedy was featured in Dick Couch’s book about Green Beret selection called Chosen Soldier under the moniker “Tom Kendall”.
In 2007, he completed Ranger School and was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group, where he served on Operational Detachment Alpha. During this time he was also a sniper, sniper instructor, and the principal combatives instructor for C Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group. Kennedy deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) multiple times.
In August 2009, Kennedy transitioned from active duty to the Texas Army National Guard, joined 19th Special Forces Group and served in the position of Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, and has continued to serve with the Texas Army National Guard since then.
Among Kennedy’s multiple awards are the Army’s Bronze Star Medal.
On April 16, 2017, Kennedy announced his reenlistment into the U.S. Army Special Forces, praising the leadership of Secretary of Defense James Mattis and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster.
A professional from 2001 until 2016, he has fought in the UFC, Strikeforce, the WEC, ShoMMA, HDNet Fights, and represented the Chicago Red Bears in the IFL. Kennedy is one of the few fighters to simultaneously serve in the United States Army and fight professionally.
