Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Julius Clayton | Sgt. Maj. Kelvin V. Raibon discusses the way forward in Army retention efforts during...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – “Balance is the key to determining which Soldiers we target for retention,” said Sgt. Maj. Kelvin V. Raibon, the Army’s senior career counselor, during a retention town hall on Thursday.
A main topic of Raibon’s discussion dealt with the Army’s emphasis on the “whole Soldier” concept. “Everything we do as leaders is based on one thing and that is the whole Soldier concept, not a Soldier who can do one thing really, really well but a Soldier who is well balanced and can do everything well,” said Raibon.
Under new retention directives issued by the Army G-1, commanders are instructed on how they are to implement the whole Soldier concept when determining their best Soldiers for reenlistment. The whole Soldier concept includes all those attributes, competencies, leadership potential, adherence to standards, duty performance and evaluations that demonstrate the Soldier’s ability to thrive while working in any capacity.
The Area Support Group-Kuwait retention office was the host of the town hall which was held to discuss the Army’s manpower readjustment and the effects it will have on Soldiers, their families and units.
“The intent of this briefing is to give leaders the tools they need to better inform their Soldiers on the best opportunities to reenlist and ensure that Soldiers are aware of all their options to stay in the military and continue the service that they desire,” said Master Sgt. Teresa Williams, ASG-KU, career counselor.
“This is about giving a Soldier the information for them to make an informed decision for them and their family members,” said Raibon.
Topics discussed at the town hall were, the Army’s fiscal year 2014 mission update, a comparison of reenlistment goals, the way ahead in the reenlistment window, transfer of post 9-11 GI Bill Education Benefits, fiscal year 2015 retention training and the commander’s precision retention tools.
“If one Soldier on Camp Arifjan is confused about reenlisting, then at the Pentagon they believe that every Soldier out there is confused,” said Raibon. I can clear up some of that confusion by doing things like this town hall and discussing retention issues Raibon continued.
Sgt. Gordon Sayers, an air defense enhanced early warning system operator with 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery, appreciated the leadership’s willingness to come out and give information about the Army’s drawdown. “It helps to know that it isn’t just a numbers game and that they are looking to retain the best Soldiers, those who are capable of being the Army’s future leader’s,” said Sayers.
At the end of his briefing Raibon thanked the Soldiers in attendance for allowing him to come discuss the way ahead and emphasized that, "It is local leaders and not the ones in Washington but each individual post commander and career counselor who were going to make the difference in keeping the best qualified Soldiers serving in our great Army.”
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.13.2014 12:13 |
| Story ID: | 133016 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 216 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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