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For a lot of Soldiers, retention means only one thing – re-enlistment. However, retention is an ongoing process that spans a Soldier’s entire career, and career counselors not only help with re-enlistment, but also help Soldiers with making more informed decisions throughout their careers and lives.
The purpose of career counselors and retention non-commissioned officers is to “educate the company and unit on what is going on in retention and to help Soldiers make proper career choices and to inform them of their options,” said Sgt. Kadiann Banton, retention NCO for the 240th Quartermaster Company, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command.
There are four phases to a Soldier’s career that career counselors focus on: integration, professional development, sustainment and career development. Integration begins when a Soldier arrives to a new unit and usually lasts for the first 30 days. Professional development begins immediately after integration and is a time when Soldiers are assisted in becoming part of the unit.
“Let them know how they fit into the mission of the unit and introduce what they can accomplish in the unit,” said Sgt. Maj. Elisabeth Jones, 21st TSC command career counselor.
The sustainment part of a Soldier’s career starts 24 months from their end time of service or ETS.
The career development stage is similar to the professional development state. This stage consists of things that can further a Soldier’s career such as promotions, re-classifying into another job specialty or attendance at military and civilian schools.
It’s not just career counselors or retention NCOs who can help Soldiers make decisions related their careers.
“All leaders are retention NCOs. The chain of command has daily contact with the Soldiers and knows their day-to-day lives,” Sergeant Jones said. One of the many things that career counselors and retention NCOs can help a Soldier with is re-classifying into another job specialty.
Contrary to what a lot of Soldiers believe, a Soldier does not necessarily have to reenlist to reclassify into another job within the Army. Career counselors can provide Soldiers with the newest “in and out” list, which shows which jobs are over strength, under strength or critical. If a Soldier is in an over-strength job specialty, he can reclassify into another job that is under strength or critical, for example.
There are also special duty assignments such as drill sergeant, recruiter or Special Forces that Soldiers can volunteer for.
“It’s important that we get any Soldiers who are interested in these duties because they impact the Army in a really big way,” said Sgt. Yulissa Caraballo, retention NCO for the 5th Maintenance Company, 16th Sust. Bde., 21st TSC.
There are also options for enlisted Soldiers who want to become officers such as the Green to Gold program and Officer Candidate School.
“A successful retention program is taking care of Soldiers from the day they enlist until they retire,” Sergeant Jones said.
For more information on any of the programs or to speak with a career counselor, contact your unit retention NCO.
