Is a Commander allowed to require a retention checklist prior to signing a DA Form 3340?

2015-06-22T16:32:39-04:00

So I have read somewhere that a Command team is not allowed to require Soldiers to use a retention checklist in order to warranted reenlistment. I have a Soldier that was told that he needs to write a memorandum for record expressing his accomplishments in order for his commander to sign his DA Form 3340-R. This Soldier meets all of the basic qualifications for reenlistment IAW AR 601-280 and doesn't fall under the Army Precision Retention Policy. Therefore, I can not understand the commanders reasoning behind his request for the Soldier to prove why he should be reenlisted.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 22 at 2015 4:41 PM

2015-06-22T16:41:52-04:00

I think you might be mixing a couple things up...the Commander will not keep an "OML" for retention - is that the checklist you speak of? Requiring a memorandum for record is a form of the Soldier providing a contract with the Commander of what he/she intends to do and might be what the Commander needs to determine which Soldier they will allow to remain in service. One thing remains a constant concerning retention - requirements change, every week there is a new announcement or new in/out calls or missions based on projected needs and etc....Its probably a good idea for the Commander to do this as it should push the Soldier to achieve more than they thought they could.

The Commander will (should) sign the 3340-R as an endorsement for the reenlistment or as a recommendation for denial.

Not knowing the Soldier in question, here's a scenario to consider: just because a Soldier is qualified (e.g. scores a 180 on APFT, qualifies with 23/40 hits on qual range, has a 93 GT score on ASVAB and has not improved the score during the first enlistment, minimal college/correspondence courses, multiple profiles, dodging deployments, additional responsibility & schools and etc.) does not mean the Soldier gets to remain in service. While the Soldier in this example may be qualified, it is clearly an indication of a marginal Soldier. We say we only want to keep the best....well, we are getting to that point where the choice of keeping a marginal Soldier will equal not being able to keep a superstar....who would you recommend keeping?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member is a SME and competed this month at the Department of the Army level Career Counselor of the Year competition, he can provide some outstan

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 6:39 PM

2015-06-22T18:39:23-04:00

The scenario shared in this thread is a problem that happens in many commands around the Army. Being a Career Counselor first hand I know that many Commanders try to add certain criteria or requirements supplementing AR 601-280 to ensure that they are retaining the best qualified soldiers IAW AR 601-280 Chapter 3 under the "Total whole Soldier Concept". AR 601-280 Chapter 11 Par 11-16 clearly states that "Other than stated, the DA form 3340-R will be approved prior to the initiation of reenlistment or extension processing. When any soldier is qualified for immediate reenlistment then there is nothing that prohibits the Soldier from reenlisting other than a disqualification as per AR 601-280. If the Soldier is forced to type a memorandum then utilize the Career Counselor of the immediate organization to address the situation. If there is no resolution at that level then the Brigade Senior Career Counselor should educate and advise the Command Team on the conflict this may bring to the Command. If there is no resolution then encourage the Soldier to utilize the Inspector General to reach out and inform the Command Team that this is a possible ground for a complaint which can bring repercussions that are unnecessary.

Response by SFC Glen S. made Jun 24 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-06-24T19:34:56-04:00

I believe the Commander's requirement in his unit is due to AR 601-280, Chap 3, Para 3-7, a and b(8). 3-7 a. Commanders should evaluate all potential reenlistees under the "whole person" concept. Suggestions in 3-7(b) give him guidelines to consider and is not an absolute list. This is what I think he is doing within the unit.