What advice do you have for a new Company Retention NCO?

2016-05-05T06:15:39-04:00

My 1SG informed me today that I am going to be the Company retention NCO. I will meet up with the Battalion Career Counselor on Monday but I would like if people would post any tips or advice for me so that I can be prepared and do the best job possible, i.e regulations, policies, past experiences. Any and all advice is welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 6:49 AM

2016-05-05T06:49:21-04:00

Hopefully this is a position you want. Nothing worse than a retention NCO who is just looking forward to his own ETS.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-05-05T10:32:31-04:00

Being a retention NCO is very rewarding. You have the capabilities to affect Soldiers and their careers.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made May 5 at 2016 11:13 AM

2016-05-05T11:13:20-04:00

Probably one of the more difficult jobs in the service. Hopefully your 1stSgt selected you because you are an outstanding NCO and an outstanding Trooper. Also hope you put forth an honest good faith effort to do the job even if you are not entirely sold on a career yourself. There are a lot of good soldiers out there who would be an asset to the Army and benefit greatly by staying in. If you can find those with potential, those 'worth' retaining, and are sincere about it, you should succeed. At one time I was borderline decided to stay in but no one showed any interest in talking to me one way or the other, including the 'reenlistment NCO', First Sgt, or anyone else. I was not a bad egg. So I got out. Best wishes

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 5 at 2016 2:04 PM

2016-05-05T14:04:30-04:00

The Commander, 1SG, and PLSGs are the one who should set up the retention NCO for success by eliminating toxic leadership.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 5 at 2016 5:28 PM

2016-05-05T17:28:07-04:00

Make sure you sort who's worth retaining vs. those who should be given another life to live. When I was a skipper, the system would hammer me for not retaining a member whose MOS was in demand. Always remember the "good of the service" piece. You'll want to spend your time and energy there. Like any collateral duty, your success will typically be more noticed doing the unique stuff vs. whatever your normal grunt work is. You'll know you're being shafted when they're yelling numbers at you instead of acceptable MILs to hang onto.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made May 5 at 2016 9:19 PM

2016-05-05T21:19:15-04:00

Get involved, ensure Soldiers inprocess with you/career counselor, create/maintain your unit's retention book, ensure your commander/1SG do their annual professional development counselings, and know your eligible Soldiers (within 15-months of ETS).

Reference AR 601-280 and http://www.ArmyReenlistment.com (current messages and interaction)

Take Control of YOUR Career - ArmyReenlistment.com!

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Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2016 11:18 PM

2016-05-05T23:18:28-04:00

It's a big job. So far I enjoy it, even though I get overloaded with the amount of paperwork and the time constraints. Not being able to receive encrypted emails through enterprise on my personal computer makes it more difficult as well.

Response by CPL Ricky Vasquez made May 9 at 2016 12:58 AM

2016-05-09T00:58:25-04:00

Do your best... Keep our troops in the Army...