FORT STEWART, Ga. - Retention is the Army's way of keeping its best-and-brightest Soldiers. Without experienced Soldiers and noncommissioned officers, the Army would have a hard time accomplishing its mission.
That is why the 3rd Sustainment Brigade puts forth a major effort to retain the great Soldiers and leaders it has.
"We go above and beyond," said Sgt. First Class Stacey Everett, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Bde. retention NCO. "Its great to take care of Soldiers."
The brigade held a small ceremony with its retention NCOs and command teams at Fort Stewart, Nov. 24. Each battalion was recognized for their effort in accomplishing their mission, although the STB received something a little bit extra.
"The STB, 3rd Sustainment Bde. was recognized as the top battalion in the brigade," said Sgt. 1st Class Everett. "We went above and beyond the mission of last year."
The brigade itself was awarded with a little extra this year as well.
"The top-level award is a division-level award called the Marne Strong Award," said Master Sgt. Mike Harris, the 3rd Sustainment Bde. retention NCO. "Only one brigade in the division receives that award. The award is for the brigade with the highest percentage of current station stabilization for reenlistments."
Current station stabilization means that Soldiers reenlist to stay where they are. They do not reenlist to go to another duty station. Instead, they want to continue being a part of the team they are on.
"You get Soldiers what they want, and that is why they want to stay on the team," said Command Sgt. Maj. Clifton Johnson, the command sergeant major of the 3rd Sustainment Bde. "Everything we do affects retention. Soldiers do not want to stay on a team that is not good. The encouraging thing about Provider Soldiers is that most of them reenlist to stay on the team. They want to stay right here with the 87th (Combat Sustainment Support Battalion), the 260th (Quartermaster Battalion), the 13th (Combat Sustainment Support Battalion), and the STB. That says that you guys are doing it the right way."
The 3rd Sustainment Brigade received the Marne Strong Award, on behalf of Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews, command sergeant major of the 3rd ID.
"Soldiers reenlist in your organization because you're taking the time, the individual time," said Col. Shawn Morrissey, commander of the 3rd Sustainment Bde. "That is often frustrating, but it matters. You teach, you coach, you mentor and you love. If you love your Army and love your organization, people want to stay and they are in your organization. Retention is about leadership, caring, and compassion, and that emanates from you guys. I take my hat off to you. I'm proud to be your brigade commander. Keep up the great work."
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