Sustainers host Fort Jackson trainers

Photo By Sgt. Crystal Reidy | The training was hosted by 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the Mobile Retention Team.  

BALAD, IRAQ

03.07.2009

Story by Sgt. Crystal Reidy 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – The career counselors of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the Mobile Retention Team, from Fort Jackson, S.C., hosted a retention class for non-commissioned officers from Kuwait and Iraq, March 3 - 7.

The retention training was attended by 165 NCOs from more than 40 bases located around the theater. This training focused on their duties and responsibilities as retention NCOs. The 40-hour training touched on key elements of the regular career counselor course offered in the states.

Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lally, the 3rd ESC commanding general, said to the Soldiers at the graduation of the fiveday training that the training would make them great retention NCOs. He said it would also make them better NCOs because one of the primary jobs of an NCO is to develop junior NCOs.

"You guys are where the rubber meets the road because this is a volunteer army," Lally said. "One of the reasons volunteer armies work is because of career counselors and retention NCOs."

Master Sgt. Adam J. McKinney, the senior career counselor with 3rd ESC, said the MRT teaches a lot about retentionbut it also invigorates the retention NCOs at the unit and battalion levels to assist their commanders inreaching retention goals.

"This course motivates them [NCOs] and gives them confidence to go out and talk to Soldiers," McKinney said. "Having those Soldiers getting involved will invigorate any retention program."

Sgt. Johnathan S. Weintraub, a personnel action center NCO with the 317th Maintenance Company said the training was very informative. He is glad he learned how to process Soldiers paperwork the right way.

"Now I don't have to always go to someone else for help," Weintraub said. "I can help Soldiers myself."

McKinney said this is the second time the MRT has conducted training in a deployed combat environment.

"We are here to support Soldiers, deployed or not," McKinney said. "The retention mission doesn't stop because you're deployed."

The instructors of the retention class are from the recruiting and retention school at the Soldier Support Institute. McKinney said they are the reason the training was so successful.

"These are top-notch instructors," McKinney said.

Staff Sgt. Michael C. Duncan, a nuclear, biological and chemical NCO with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 553rd Combat SustainmentSupport Battalion, said he enjoyed the instructors and the class forum because it was interactive. He also said he liked that the class had attendees from many other units.

"It's always good to get face to face and network with people to see what other units are doing for their Soldiers," Duncan said.

McKinney said he wants the retention NCOs to understand the mission will take care of itself as long as they take care of their Soldiers. He said if everybody is doing the right thing for the Soldier, the Soldier will stay in the Army.

"I love at the end of the week of training, they [attendees] really want to do this job," McKinney said. "They see retention is really important."

• Date Taken: 03.07.2009
• Date Posted: 03.19.2009 11:00
• Story ID: 31326
• Location: BALAD, IQ