Photo By Staff Sgt. Brian Tierce | Master Sgt. Kevin Wilson, a native of Gallatin, Tenn., from the 2nd Brigade Combat...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Brian Tierce
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – For Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom the incentives to reenlist in the Army can be very tempting. It is the job of a select group of Soldiers to ensure that these Soldiers, who are interested in staying "Army Strong," are well aware of the options on the table to continue their career in the Army.
The career counselors for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad are hard at work to ensure that the brigade's Soldiers are aware of the options available to them, but also helping the Army retain competent and fit future leaders.
"Our main goal is to reenlist fully qualified Soldiers to meet not only the Army's force alignment requirement, but to also fulfill the Soldiers needs," said Master Sgt. Kevin Wilson, a native of Gallatin, Tenn., who serves as a career counselor for the 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div, MND-B. "We support the Dagger Brigade and any Soldier that is deployed within our area of operation."
The job of career counselor is a very serious matter as the Army works to grow the force over the next few years. But many do not know what goes into the process of becoming a career counselor.
"Under normal circumstances, a Solider is assigned an additional duty as a battalion or company retention non-commissioned officer," said Master Sgt. Anthony Scofield, a native of Newton, Kansas, who serves as the Dagger Brigades senior career counselor. "While serving as the retention NCO they have the opportunity to excel and show the potential to become a career counselor."
Scofield went on to explain that once the Soldier is selected for the field they must then attend and complete the career counselor course after which they become a full fledged member of the career counselor field.
"After a successful probationary period the Soldier is permanently awarded the career counselor badge," added Scofield.
For the career counselors serving the Dagger brigade their badges are tucked neatly away during their deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. But the job remains almost the same.
"The only real difference for a deployed career counselor is the number of Soldiers we support," said Scofield, "The job remains the same."
A normal day for a career counselor is spent advising Soldiers on their careers and informing them of their reenlistment options. Other tasks completed on a daily basis include preparing reenlistment contracts and conducting reenlistment ceremonies. The days can be long, but there is motivation to continue with the job.
"It feels good to know that I am helping to take care of Soldiers and their families," said Wilson, "I also take pride in helping the Army meet its retention mission."
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2008 09:28 |
| Story ID: | 27743 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 223 |
| Downloads: | 208 |
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