Photo By Staff Sgt. Andre Taylor | Staff Sgt. Anthony J. Vasquez, a career counselor assigned to the 325th Light Support...... read more read more
Subscribe
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — Day Two of the division’s Career Counselor, Senior Career Counselor and Retention NCO of the Year competition featured the Career Counselor of the Year competition board, where senior enlisted leaders evaluated competitors’ readiness to advise Soldiers and commanders in high-pressure, real-world scenarios. The competition began 26 Jan 2026 and runs through 30 Jan 2026.
The board assessed competitors on subjects essential to the Army’s retention mission, including current events, retention policy, reenlistment options and incentives, counseling scenarios, and professional military bearing. According to senior leaders, the intent of the board extended beyond selecting a top performer and instead focused on developing adaptable professionals capable of operating across a wide range of retention challenges.
As a voting member of the board, Sgt. Maj. Ricky D. Ichihara, the command career counselor for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, evaluated competitors' technical knowledge and leadership presence.
“What I was looking for was how the competitors communicated and expressed their ideas,” Ichihara said. “The questions highlighted their critical thinking and preparation across policies that directly affect Soldier eligibility and continued service.”
Another board member, Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Kelley, the command career counselor for the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, emphasized stress response over memorization. Kelley said the board environment mirrors the uncertainty career counselors face daily when advising Soldiers.
“Boards are inherently stressful,” Kelley said. “I’m not looking for book answers verbatim. I want to see how they handle questions in real time.”
For competitors, the experience tested both confidence and preparation. Sgt. 1st Class Nikkiann K. Corona, a career counselor assigned to the 3rd Mobile Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, said initial nerves quickly subsided as the board progressed. She explained that the setting allowed for professional dialogue rather than rapid-fire questioning.
“When I first walked in, I was extremely nervous,” Corona said. “But as the board went on, I realized we were all people, and I just talked and answered the questions.”
Corona said the board confirmed her ability to push herself professionally, even while balancing personal challenges. Four months postpartum, she said competing reinforced her confidence and commitment to self-improvement. “I would 100 percent do it again,” Corona added. Similarly, Staff Sgt. Adam M. Robere, a career counselor assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Division Sustainment Brigade, said preparation helped him manage the pressure of the board. Robere explained that studying with peers and participating in mock boards allowed him to focus once the evaluation began.
“I was nervous when I first walked in, but as soon as I sat down, the nerves eased and I just got to it,” Robere said.
Robere noted that the experience validated his decision to reclass into the career counselor field and motivated him to continue competing in the future.
“The board confirmed I made the right choice, and I want to come back and do it again,” Robere said.
Senior leaders said boards like this serve as professional development tools as much as evaluations. Ichihara explained that competition encourages counselors to broaden their knowledge and develop creative solutions for retention challenges, while Kelley added that the board exposes emerging talent to senior leaders beyond their home units.
By evaluating both career counselors and retention NCOs in a demanding environment, the board reinforced the importance of preparation, adaptability, and communication—skills critical to sustaining the Army’s force and ensuring Soldiers receive trusted, informed guidance at key career decision points.
| Date Taken: | 01.27.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.03.2026 18:29 |
| Story ID: | 557135 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, FY26 Board Strengthens Army Retention Expertise Across the 25th Infantry Division, by SSG Andre Taylor, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
