10th Mountain Division retention keeping it real

Courtesy Photo | (left to right) Staff Sgt. Brian Niggli, Division Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, retention non-commissioned officer career counselor and native of Marathon, N.Y.; Sgt. Maj. Rick Martin, 10th Mtn. Div. retention sergeant major and native of Syracuse, N.Y.; and Sgt. 1st Class Mark Buschnell, 10th Mtn. Div. non-commissioned officer in charge of retention operations and native of Tacoma, Wash., take time for a picture at the 10th Mtn. Div. Headquarters building, Nov. 5, 2008.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.07.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

By Staff Sgt. Amber Emery
Multi-National Division - Center

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - In a time of war or conflict, nothing is more valuable to a country than an experienced service member, making the 10th Mountain Division retention office a key element for successful missions throughout the organization.

"Retention sustains the fight. If we didn't reenlist quality Soldiers, we wouldn't be doing as well as we are over here," said Staff Sgt. Brian Niggli, Division Special Troops Battalion, 10th Mtn. Div., retention non-commissioned officer career counselor and native of Marathon, N.Y.

Since the events of 9/11, the mission of the Army's retention program has not changed, but the Soldiers have shifted from re-enlisting for personal needs and goals to doing it for their country.

The Army, for fiscal year 2008, re-enlisted more Soldiers than they have done in a decade, reducing the strain on recruiting demands.

"Retention is a bright spot, and it has been for the last five years. If the Army didn't reenlist Soldiers, then we would put more demand on recruiters," said Sgt. Maj. Rick Martin, 10th Mountain Division retention sergeant major and native of Syracuse, N.Y.

The economy is also having a positive impact on recruiting and retention, but it's not the key factor retention personnel are noting here.

"There are still Soldiers today that believe they are fighting this fight for their kids so they don't have to do it someday," said Martin.

For the first month of this fiscal year, 10th Mtn. Div. reenlisted 659 Soldiers; the average is usually approximately 300.

"Retention is a great indicator of leadership. Soldiers like the 10th Mountain Division. I guarantee you 50 percent of everyone you talk to in this division will tell you they were in 10th Mountain before and asked to come back," said Martin. "The reason is the command- if you have to
be in an infantry division, I don't think there is a better one."

The mission of a retention office in a deployed environment is unique in comparison to other sections of the division staff, which acquires or gains new responsibilities. Even in a deployed environment, their mission remains in support of the 10th Mtn. Div. in Fort Drum, N.Y.

"I am responsible for all of the units in the 10th Mountain no matter where they are," said Martin. "Any retention mission in the Army stays [with] the commander."

• Date Taken: 11.07.2008
• Date Posted: 11.07.2008 08:03
• Story ID: 26038
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ