Master Sgts. Rafael Ramos, USAACE Reserve Component senior career counselor, left, and Michael Jennings, USAACE retention officer, right, present Brig. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, USAACE and Fort Rucker commanding general, with the Training and Doct...

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Maintaining a strong Army starts with its leaders' abilities to keep good Soldiers in service, according to Fort Rucker command officials.

Various brigades, units and individuals were recognized for their contributions in retaining Soldiers during the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence retention awards ceremony and luncheon at The Landing Thursday.

Brig. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, spoke to those in attendance about what it takes to keep good Soldiers and be good leaders.

"The leaders keep Soldiers in the Army," Crutchfield said. "I believe that every leader in the Army, especially if you want to be a senior leader or general officer, has got to understand how we recruit and retain Soldiers. There are pieces to being a leader and to the development of Soldiers, and it starts with retention noncommissioned officers, career counselors and leaders."

Crutchfield continued by talking about the current size of the Army and how leaders and retention officers can affect that.

"When our Army shrinks, and it will, do you think it will be harder or easier to retain Soldiers," he asked. "It's going to be harder and it should be. Because now, it becomes a quality cut. You have to ask yourself if the person you're trying to keep is someone you'd like to be your first sergeant when you're a brigade commander."

Crutchfield said he'd like to see a bigger event planned for next year's ceremony, including the presence of Soldiers who elected to stay in the Army.

"Next year I'd like to see this event go over the top," he said. "I'd like to see some of the people (retention officers) managed to keep in the Army. It all starts with us, the leaders, so let's lead."

Sgt. 1st Class Gary Everett, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment retention officer and event master of ceremonies, said this year's retention efforts were some of the best.

"(Fiscal year 2010) was a great year," he said. "We had quite a few who were not sure if they were going to come back, but they made the decision to stick with the Army."

Units who received retention awards

U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory - Early Bird Brigade, Top Production Brigade and U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment - Early Bird Battalion, USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

1st Bn., 212th Avn. Regt. - Top Production Battalion, USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

1st Avn. Brigade - USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

Headquarters and Headquarters Command, 1st Avn. Bde. - USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

110th Avn. Bde. - USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

HHC 110th Avn. Bde. - USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion - USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

1st Bn., 223rd Avn. Regt. - USAACE Commanding General's Retention Excellence Award.

USAACE Commanding General's Individual Retention Excellence Awards

* Sgt. 1st Class Katherine Aponte, USAALS

* Sgt. 1st Class Todd Crutchfield, UASTB

* Sgt. 1st Class Gary Everett, 1st Bn., 13th Avn. Regt.

* Staff Sgt. Michael Anderson, 110th Avn. Bde.

* Staff Sgt. Jason Brown, 1st Avn. Bde.