Growing the Army from Within - 168th Re-Enlistment Team continues to keep great Soldiers in boots

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Yajaira Epps, a Bronx, N.Y., native, and the career counselor for the 168th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, is all smiles after helping another Soldier continue their Army career, May 18. This is Sfc. Epps second deployment and has had nothing but the highest accolades for her accomplishments, ensuring that battalion not only meets mission, but exceeds it. "I am thankful for all the great Soldiers I am able to help continue their career's in the Army and could not ask for a better group (of Soldiers and Officers) to work with." (U.S. Army photo/Capt. Paul A. Brown)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.20.2008

Courtesy Story

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

By Capt. Paul A. Brown
168th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Retaining quality Soldiers is and will always be a challenge. Growing an Army by 64,000 Soldiers while at war would seem nearly impossible. However, the 168th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, is exceeding the established goals of keeping Soldiers in boots by a wide margin in all measurable areas. Each and everyday, Soldiers in the combat zone are raising their right hand and continuing to make a commitment to the Army and their beloved country.

Since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2008, the 168th BSB re-enlistment numbers have been staggering. In all of the Army re-enlistment categories (initial term, mid-career, and career) the battalion is averaging at least 131% mission complete and in most cases, closing in on nearly 200% of its assigned mission at this early stage. Over 89 Soldiers in 168th BSB have re-enlisted since FY08 began along with another 26 Soldiers from attached units. Nearly all of the Soldiers who have re-enlisted are eligible for a retention bonus which has resulted in Soldiers receiving a grand total of over $1.4 million to date.

In recognition of her outstanding work, the Battalion Career Counselor, Sgt. 1st Class Yajaira Epps, a Bronx, N.Y., native, has been sought out by other units in the area to help. She is currently working with four other companies not assigned to 168th BSB, four Military Transition Teams and another support battalion on the Victory Base Complex to help them achieve re-enlistment objectives while deployed.

Soldiers are re-enlisting to stay in the Army because they are getting what they signed up for upon initial enlistment. Each Soldier joins the Army for different reason, but they all have a common desire for a challenge, discipline, respect, leadership, and camaraderie. They are getting all of this and more in the "Make It Happen" battalion of the 168th BSB.

"I've never seen so many Soldiers who want to continue their careers, even in the midst of a combat deployment," said Epps "It is amazing to see this many Soldiers that are motivated and want to stay in not only for their own benefit, but to make the Army better and they are proud of their team and want to stay on the winning team."

The battalion's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed or un-rewarded. To date, the battalion has won the 4th Infantry Division "Top Battalion Award" for the highest mission accomplishment out of the roughly 28 battalions in the division. This prestigious award was presented to the battalion by the 4ID Commander, Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, in Baghdad, Iraq on, Feb. 20. The battalion also received the "First to Fire Award" given to the top battalion in the 214th Fires Brigade and the "Fires for Effect Plaque" for the first battalion in the 214th Fires Brigade to meet mission.

Keeping quality Soldiers in the Army is a way to ensure the future of a viable fighting force and the 168th BSB is doing more than its fair share to meet the objective. Even as the battalion is deployed in support of combat operations in Iraq, the Soldiers continue to extend their careers and defend their country.

The 168th BSB Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Todd A. Heussner, Fort Myers, Fl., native, summed it up best when he stated: "The Soldiers are excited and re-enlist because they are getting what they have always sought from the Army; they are on a great team with great leaders accomplishing a great mission. Soldiers thrive on standards and discipline and see the result of their incredible work on the battlefield everyday. They know what they are doing is important and the Soldier take great pride in all they have accomplished. Staying part of the team allows them to continue to live the Army dream."

• Date Taken: 05.20.2008
• Date Posted: 05.27.2008 11:17
• Story ID: 19813
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ