U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza (left), commander of 3rd Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj Quentin Fenderson (right), senior enlisted advisor of 3rd ID, pose for a photo with Staff Sgt. Shalondra Cooper, career counselor for 3rd ID Artillery, Col. William Davis, commander of 3rd ID, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Flynn, senior enlisted advisor of 3rd ID Artillery, after presenting them with the Commanding General’s Beyond the Rock Award at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 16, 2022. The Commanding General’s Beyond the Rock Award is presented to the top command retention programs with the highest transition percentage who meet or exceed the aggregate percentage in both fiscal year cohorts.
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Destiny Husband)VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT STEWART, Ga. – Brigade and battalion retention teams from across 3rd Infantry Division were recognized by Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, commanding general of 3rd ID, for exceeding their retention goals in fiscal year 2022 during the Commanding General’s Retention Awards Ceremony at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 16, 2022.
Additionally, nine Soldiers competed in this year’s Retention Noncommissioned Officer and Career Counselor of the Year Competitions and two of those were recognized for their outstanding performance. These two will move on to represent 3rd ID at the 18th Airborne Corps Competition in January.
U.S. Army Col. Ethan Diven, commander of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and Master Sgt. Kaitlyn Hancock, senior career counselor for 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, receive the Commanding General’s Marne Express Award from Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza and Command Sgt. Maj Quentin Fenderson at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 16, 2022. The Commanding General’s Marne Express Awards are presented to the brigade combat teams, multifunctional brigades, and battalions within 3rd ID who complete their assigned retention mission before all other units. Additionally, the responsible career counselor from each unit recognized with this award also received an Army Commendation Medal and trophy.
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Destiny Husband)VIEW ORIGINAL
This year’s competitions consisted of a grueling three-day event that tested the Competitor's technical expertise through a board performance, an Army Combat Fitness Test, a 50 question written exam, a 300-500 word essay, and a mystery event conducted at the Marne Mile.
Staff Sgt. Blake Dumas, assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID, received the 3rd ID’s Career Counselor of the Year Award and was presented an Army Commendation Medal and trophy.
Soldiers assigned to 3rd Infantry Division pose for a group photo during the Retention Award Ceremony at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 16, 2022. The Career Counselor of the Year and the Retention NCO of the Year Competitions consisted of a grueling three-day competition that tested the competitor's technical expertise through a board performance, an Army Combat Fitness Test, a 50-question written exam, a 300-500 word essay, and a mystery event conducted at the Marne Mile.
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Destiny Husband)VIEW ORIGINAL
“I’m very excited about receiving this award,” said Dumas. “It’s a great feeling to win and to be able to go on to represent the division at the next level.”
Retention NCOs and career counselors like Dumas serve a vital role as they assist in retaining experienced Soldiers, which sustains the Army and directly impacts the Army end strength; which supports readiness, force structure and sustainability.
U.S. Army Sgt. Dominic Wilson, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, receives the 3rd ID’s Retention Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award from Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, commander of 3rd ID, at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 16, 2022. The Career Counselor of the Year and the Retention NCO of the Year Competitions consisted of a grueling three-day competition that tested the competitor's technical expertise through a board performance, an Army Combat Fitness Test, a 50-question written exam, a 300-500 word essay, and a mystery event conducted at the Marne Mile.
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Destiny Husband)VIEW ORIGINAL
"Retention NCOs and career counselors manage their unit commander's retention program by ensuring the mission assigned by higher headquarters is met while simultaneously counseling Soldiers and families on career opportunities and professional development, said Sgt. 1st Class Yoleysi Garcia, the senior retention operations NCO for 3rd ID. "This aligns the needs of he Army with those of the Soldiers."
For those who competed, this competition was a opportunity to show off the skills they put into action each day as they help counsel and retain Soldiers.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Blake Dumas, assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, receives the 3rd ID’s Career Counselor of the Year award from Command Sgt. Maj. Quentin Fenderson, senior enlisted advisor of 3rd ID, at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 16, 2022. The winner of the Career Counselor of the Year Competition will move on to represent 3ID at the 18th Airborne Corps Competition in January.
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Destiny Husband)VIEW ORIGINAL
“It was a really big challenge, but it was definitely worth it,” said Sgt. Dominic Wilson, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, who received the 3rd ID’s Retention Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year Award. “It was something I was able to prove to myself that I could accomplish and that I proved to my kids that you can accomplish something if you really put in the effort.”
Ultimately, the competition was an opportunity for these retention NCOs and career counselors to showcase their professional excellence and highlight the skills they use to sustain the Army and ensure the organization has the Soldiers it needs to accomplish its mission.
Social Sharing