1st Engr. Bde. repeats as top retention unit at Fort Leonard Wood

By Mr. Stephen Standifird (Leonard Wood)November 10, 2016

1st Engr. Bde. repeats as top retention unit at Fort Leonard Wood
Maj. Gen. Kent Savre, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, presents Col. Dale Snider, 1st Engineer Brigade commander, the MSCoE Excellence in Retention streamer, following the brigade being identified as the unit with the best retention pe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The 1st Engineer Brigade was recognized as the unit that best exceeded its fiscal year retention goals for the second fiscal year in a row, at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood retention awards ceremony held Nov. 1 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.

The 14th Military Police Brigade, 3rd Chemical Brigade, 43rd Adjutant General Battalion, MSCoE Noncommissioned Officers Academy and General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital also received recognition for exceeding or achieving their mission across all retention categories during the 4th quarter of fiscal year 2015.

"It is through the retention of our young Soldiers we maintain unit readiness and develop our Army's future leaders," said Maj. Gen. Kent Savre, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general. "The units, career counselors and retention NCOs who are recognized today have put in their time and effort in meeting the mission and selecting the best. We are doing this better than ever before."

Sgt. 1st Class Richard Fiorucci, career counselor for the 1st Engr. Bde., said it was an honor to be recognized for the efforts throughout the fiscal year, but it's not just about him.

"It's a representation of the quality of unit we have and the quality of Soldiers we have in the engineer regiment," he said. "It's not about winning the awards, but keeping the quality of Soldiers we have in the Army."

Fiorucci added, it is personal for him to find the best Soldiers to stay in the Army.

"When I see good NCOs and good junior enlisted, I want them to be the next leaders in the Army," he said. "It's personal to me to keep them in the Army when they are the type of Soldiers I would want my brother or sister or child to be led by."

In addition to the top organizations receiving awards, Staff Sgt. Jason McBride, 43rd AG Bn.; Staff Sgt. Donald Manhalter, 14th MP Bde.; Staff Sgt. Ryan McCarthy, 1st Engr. Bde. and Sgt. Joshua Chester-Johnson, 3rd Chem. Bde., reenlisted as part of the ceremony.

"Our team of teams will continue to thrive with you in our formations," Savre said to those Soldiers. "The sacrifices that you have made, and will continue to make, really reflect on your dedication to duty and your selfless service."

Five Fort Leonard Wood career counselors and retention noncommissioned officers; Fiorucci; Sgt. 1st Class James Eadie, 3rd Chem. Bde.; Staff Sgt. Michael Ramos, GLWACH; Staff Sgt. Matthew Acosta, NCOA and Sgt. Daniel Trujillo, 14th MP Bde., were recognized for their work in managing their unit retention programs.

Savre highlighted the importance of the Soldiers choosing to remain in the Army and the job the career counselors do.

"Here at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood, our mission is to provide capabilities, train and ready Soldiers and develop adaptable leaders who possess unique skills and tools," Savre said.

"Thank you for your continued good judgment, mentorship and most importantly, your determination in sustaining our Army and ensuring that our smaller Army will be a better Army."

Related Links:

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Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood