Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo (from left), commander 3rd Infantry Division, United States...... read more read more
Story by: Staff Sgt. Tanya Thomas
CAMP RAMADI, Iraq—Five new Army career counselors with 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, were regonized for helping the brigade exceed its retention objectives for fiscal year 2010—as 528 soldiers extended their enlistment contracts over the past year—during a formal ceremony Sept. 30 at Camp Ramadi, Iraq.
“I’m very proud of all of them,” said Master Sgt. Michael Redmon, senior career counselor with 4th AAB, 3rd Inf Div., and a Nokesville, Va., native. “They really impressed me. These guys are just hard chargers.”
Redmon said his team accomplished its mission four months early and that it was uncommon for a group of recent schoolhouse graduates to achieve a 133 percent retention rate, especially as the brigade prepared for its third deployment to Iraq.
“They didn’t have the tax-free bonus option to offer Soldiers and they couldn’t offer many duty assignments as re-enlistment incentives while we prepared to deploy,” he said.
Redmon has helped 4th AAB surpass its retention goals every year since he joined the unit at Fort Stewart, Ga., in 2006.
“They were limited on what they could do to help keep soldiers in [the Army], and these guys still met and exceeded the objective.”
Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo, commander of 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – North, presented awards to the retention team during a visit he said could be his last with the Vanguard Brigade before he redeploys to Fort Stewart.
“You have all have done an absolutley outstanding job,” he said to the 4th AAB career counselors and to the soldiers who stood before him during a ceremony. “Re-enlistment is about making a choice. It’s about making a choice to stay. Thank you for choosing to be in uniform at this time. You chose to either enter the Army or stay in the Army at a time of frequent deployments … You have my deepest respect, admiration and gratitude for that.”
Redmon said it was an honor for his team to be recognized by their division commander this year, and expressed high hopes for the years to follow.
“They executed flawlessley over the past year,” he said. “I honestly believe this team has a really good shot at reenlisting the most Soldiers in the [3rd Infantry] Division during fiscal year 2011.”
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.05.2010 02:26 |
| Story ID: | 57511 |
| Location: | CAMP RAMADI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 172 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, New career counselors exceed retention goals for USD-C brigade, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT