Missouri Guard reshaping how it prepares new recruits for training and retention

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A new Missouri Army National Guard recruit can find the transition from civilian to Citizen-Soldier both rewarding and difficult.

And though being fit, disciplined and well-trained are not prerequisites for becoming a Soldier, the Missouri National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion offers a program to help make the transition more gratifying than tough.

The Recruit Sustainment Program, or, RSP, gives newly enlisted trainees a head-start to learn necessary skills before they leave for basic combat training or advanced individual training. The program was implemented years ago to reduce training pipeline losses by introducing new enlistees to the military and to ease their adjustment to the training environment. It incorporates instruction in academics, physical readiness and common task training to prepare future Soldiers for the physical and mental rigors associated with basic and advanced military training.

Lt. Col. Scott Zimmerman, Missouri National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander, said the program's goal is to fight attrition by giving recruits a real taste of Army life during their drills.

"There's no silver bullet that will fix attrition," said Zimmerman. "We have the recruitment in place, and we are putting additional emphasis on retention."

The battalion is establishing new retention measures, one of which included reaching out to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment command team at Fort Leonard Wood for assistance. The regiment answered the call with three of their drill sergeants.

The drill sergeants attended a recent RSP drill in Jefferson City to help shatter the fears, myths and anxiety that enlistees have about shipping off to basic training. Before the introduction of this pilot program, RSP Soldiers did not get exposed to drill sergeants until they report for their 10 weeks of basic training.

"Retention is an issue for the Army, not just the National Guard," said Lt. Col. Josh SeGraves, 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment commander. "By bringing drill sergeants here to complement what the Missouri Guard is already doing gives the individuals a taste of what a drill sergeant looks like and how they conduct themselves."

The introduction of this pilot program highlights the emphasis Missouri puts on retention and the extra effort the organization is doing to prepare its recruits and ensure RSP pays off.

"We took a look at every aspect of training - physically, morally and mentally - and how we can better prepare new recruits," said Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Anderson, Missouri Army Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion sergeant major.

The battalion oversees eight RSP detachments across the state. Over 60 enlistees from RSP Detachment 6 in Jefferson City and Detachment 8 in Macon came together for this new effort where they experienced a day with the drill sergeants.

"It's the fear of the unknown, you get recruits from all components that arrive at basic training and don't know what to expect. Sometimes there's just enough self-doubt and fear of the unknown that they just can't overcome that," said SeGraves, "I think that interacting with drill sergeants, even if it's only once, will help the individual get over themselves."

The program will help troops to set fair and realistic expectations, said Zimmerman.

Recruits were instructed in drill and ceremony as well as a short workout that included the Army's Physical Readiness Training model. Cadre had an open forum and troops freely asked questions. The drill sergeants addressed assumptions, misconceptions and myths troops had about BCT and what they should expect.

"It introduces the Soldiers to the drill sergeants before they get there to eliminate some of the shock," said Anderson, who served as a drill sergeant during his career. "Between reception battalion and the first week of basic training is really where we lose the most Soldiers mentally."

Drill instructors and cadre offered insight about what their job as drill sergeants entail, including getting new recruits into shape for the physical and mental rigors of basic. They discussed enforcing discipline, what training will look like, and provided tips on how to thrive and handle homesickness.

Zimmerman and Anderson spent time with SeGraves and his team fielding the pilot program before implementing it. They say bringing drill sergeants to RSP training events and giving RSP Soldiers an opportunity to be exposed to them, will better equip recruits and help with the transition into the basic training mindset and environment.

"It's really not the physical part; it's the mental part," said Anderson. "We want to prepare them ahead of time that drill sergeants are no different than their RSP coordinator and are there to help them."

Currently recruiters and RSP coordinators are the non-commissioned officers who account for and train new recruits from enlistment up to the day they leave for BCT. They are also there to ensure Soldiers make a smooth transition into their new units once they return from training.

"The training Soldiers receive is very important not only to help them succeed in basic combat training and advanced individual training but to build confidence and get them to basic training," said Zimmerman.