Retention plays a pivotal role in shaping the career trajectories of Soldiers, offering essential guidance and support as service members navigate their journey in the Army. These dedicated professionals are not just focused on keeping talented individuals in the ranks; they are officially titled as 79S, Career Counselors, providing Soldiers with valuable options for their future. Their expertise ensures that Soldiers have the tools and knowledge needed to make the best decisions for their careers, ultimately enhancing job satisfaction and career longevity within the Army.

Whether a Soldier wishes to continue their path as a Military Police Officer or explore new opportunities within the armed forces, Retention is equipped to help them make informed decisions that align with their personal and professional goals. As structure within the Army changes, certain MOS’s become a priority for growth and can come with incentives, including promotions and bonuses.

“The Army identifies certain MOS’s for growth,” Master Sgt. Ayla Papp, the 89th Military Police Brigade’s Senior Career Counselor said. “These MOS’s are the jobs that the Army wants Soldiers to focus on reclassifying into that can come with the benefit of promotion to the next grade. These promotions can sometimes be automatic promotions upon graduation of the advanced individual training (AIT) as well as up to $90,000 in bonuses.”

Meeting retention goals is a challenging one; however, Papp is here to provide Soldiers opportunities and offer solutions to further the careers for individuals seeking help.

“My ultimate goal is to ensure that I can align the wants, needs and desires of the Soldier with the needs of the Army,” Papp said. “We have too many opportunities within the Army for someone to be dissatisfied with their career or situation in their life. There are over 200 jobs that we can look into together and find a good fit for a Soldier to continue their Army career.”

Sgt. Destyni Coleman from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 89th Military Police Brigade, poses with 1st Lt. Andrew Quintero after her reenlistment ceremony at the 89th Military Police Brigade headquarters, Fort Cavazos, Texas, March 13, 2024.

For those that are hesitant about searching and beginning a new job in the Army, Papp also brings reassurance in the form of job training for the Soldier to see a new MOS firsthand.

“If a Soldier is interested in seeing the day-to-day events of a new MOS, we have the opportunity coordinate with units that share that MOS,” Papp said. “We want Soldiers to get immersed in the MOS they are interested in and see if they enjoy it before pursuing the administrative process to reclass.”

With the help of Retention, Cpl. Dalton Lee from the 410th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion was able to find a job that fits perfectly for him, counterintelligence. After spending two years as a Military Police Officer, Lee was ready to find a new job as his Army career continues.

“After serving at the U.S. and Mexican border for 7 months, I knew I wanted to find a job that was humanitarian focused,” Lee said. “I was interested in a job that would teach me skill sets to work towards humanitarian efforts such as human trafficking or terrorism.”

Sgt. Kevin Negron from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 89th Military Police Brigade, states the oath of enlistment during his reenlistment ceremony May 21, 2024, at Fort Cavazos, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alexander Chatoff)

Lee took advantage of Retention and knew he wanted to learn more about becoming a 35L, Counterintelligence Agent.

“I visited Retention with counterintelligence in mind, and luckily the job was available,” Lee said. “I was pointed in the right direction, given the website to apply, and received outstanding encouragement and direction through the process of building my packet. Retention was also able to get me a bonus when I reenlisted for 4 more years.”

“Adjustment can be intimidating,” Papp said. “However, if you are looking for a new job, we can give you access to so many different jobs in other fields. I encourage those who need help to come to Retention and discover all the opportunities that could spark a fire for a successful and fulfilling Army career.”

The knowledgeable professionals from retention are pledged to help Soldiers navigate new job opportunities and provide the best information needed for Soldiers to make a choice about their career. By also fostering a supportive environment and offering personalized guidance, these professionals play a crucial role in enhancing individual Soldier job satisfaction.