Photo By Sgt. Maj. Nathan Hoskins | DeFuniak Springs, Fla., native Kevin Durham (far left), the retention noncommissioned...... read more read more
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by Spc. Nathan Hoskins
1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – One tradition of the 1st Cavalry Division is to keep Soldiers in the Army while keeping the horse patch on their shoulders.
The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade "Warriors" have been doing just that and were rewarded for their retention achievements during a ceremony June 21.
The Warriors took the award as top brigade in the division for two consecutive quarters, along with awards at the battalion and company level, said Auburn, N.Y., native Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Alcock, a 1st ACB career counselor.
The 2nd "Lobo" Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div., took the best battalion for the first quarter and Company Alpha, 4th "Guns" Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, took best company in the division for the same quarter. Company Bravo, 4-227th, took best company for the second quarter, said Alcock.
Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commanding general of the 1st Cav. Div and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, handed out the awards and praised the retention representatives.
"The best (retention programs), by far, are the ones where it's just straight up honest – laying out options for the troops, helping them find what it is that they desire," said Fil.
That's just what the career counselors do, with a little help of within the ranks of their unit.
"There are only three (brigade-level) career counselors, and we can't talk to everyone. It takes more than one person to take care of Soldiers," Alcock said.
Sgt. Stanley Hopkins, the retention noncommissioned officer for the Lobos agreed.
"The 2nd Battalion's retention program is successful because we have good rapport with our Soldiers and everybody from the commander down to the squad leader is actively involved," said Hopkins. "I talk to everyone involved with the Soldier to get an accurate picture of where they're at and where they want to go."
Hopkins shies away from taking credit for his award, he instead puts the spotlight on his battalion's Company Echo, which pushed him quickly to his goals, he said.
There is also a huge effort that each retention NCO takes to get the troopers what they want in order to fulfill their goals and desires, said Alcock.
"If you keep (the Soldiers) happy and you keep them informed about what's going on in the Army and how to help them within their career, they'll stay in," said Alcock.
Hopkins believes that "world conflict directly affects retention, but nothing (adversely) affects dedication to duty or loyalty to country. That's why Soldiers reenlist. That's a fact," he said.
While dedication to duty and patriotism may be the driving force in a Soldier's decision to reenlist; there are also bonuses, college options and more to help persuade that trooper who is teetering on the edge of indecision, said Alcock.
The 1st Cav. Div. offers the option for Soldiers to attend a college of their choice for a semester if they reenlist. Other Soldiers just get hefty, tax-free bonuses, Alcock said.
Whether it's the personal touch of the retention staff or the alluring benefits, the Warrior Brigade knows what it takes to keep Soldiers in the Army and content, said Alcock.
"A happy Soldier stays in the Army," he said.
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2007 08:46 |
| Story ID: | 10941 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 469 |
| Downloads: | 420 |
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