Watkins Glen, NY (WENY) --  Characteristics like mental toughness, dedication and loyalty are required to make it in the United States Army Reserves. On Sunday afternoon,  soldiers took the Oath of Enlistment and were honored by the crowd at Watkins Glen International, moments before the Thunder at the Glen Race. 

The selflessness and amount of bravery shown everyday by the men and women of the United States Army Reserves is a true testament of what it means to be a soldier. 

"We have the most talented individuals that serve our country. They are prepared to defend the nation against foreign and domestic enemies and they are committed to serving their communities as well," says Sgm. Jaime Rogers.

 The soldiers who choose to enlist in the United States Army Reserves are required to leave for training one weekend out of every month and two full weeks out of the year.  The army recognizes how hard this can be for families so to show that they understand they awarded support certificates to the friends and families that were in attendance. 

The soldiers who chose to reenlist know the job all too well, but the reward outweighs the risk. 

"It turned into being more about my battle buddies around me and being more of a family. It's like a second family. So staying in and being around the guys I care about, the ones that have my back, it's pretty much why I stay in, and I serve my country,"  says heavy equipment operator Thomas Wall.

 With the reenlisting soldiers taking the familiar Oath of Enlistment, having already found their purpose, the newest members of the Army Reserves get ready embark on their new journey to find theirs.