SMDC focuses on Soldier retention

By Mr. Jason B. Cutshaw, USASMDC/ARSTRATMay 30, 2012

SMDC focuses on Soldier retention
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In a time of across-the-board defense reductions, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command is making it a priority to retain the best Soldiers.

As the Army prepares to begin reducing the number of active-duty Soldiers, the command is taking measures to ensure they keep the best of the best. As tough decisions are made, some Soldiers may be denied the opportunity to reenlist and the command is looking to not only retain Soldiers who wish to stay, but also who the Army wants to keep.

"The Army recently announced a major change in how we will reenlist Soldiers into the active component," said Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica, USASMDC/ARSTRAT commanding general. "This change is critical in helping to reduce the size and to properly shape our Army. I expect our commanders and leaders to stay personally engaged in the reenlistment process. Tough, caring, courageous leaders are expected to retain precise, confident, fit, disciplined and courageous Soldiers so we can shape our Army for the future."

The command's retention noncommissioned officer-in-charge talked about the upcoming changes and said that no matter what, the command wants to keep as many Soldiers as possible.

"The Army draw down will continue well into the next fiscal year, which means we will see stricter requirements on who we are allowed to keep and who will be forced to exit the military," said Master Sgt. Michael J. Jensen, SMDC senior career counselor. "Although we are only seeking quality Soldiers, we still need to keep 96 Soldiers in the Army by the end of September in order to meet our SMDC retention goals for this year."

Jensen said the Army had numerous changed in the Army Retention Program starting on Oct. 1 as DA uses retention as a tool in support of the "draw down." This fiscal year, SMDC has received a retention mission broken down into two phases.

Phase I started Oct. 1, and the Soldiers who were eligible to reenlist had to have an ETS (expiration term of service) date within fiscal year 2012 (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30). This phase ended Jan. 31, denying all fiscal year 2012 ETS Soldiers the opportunity to reenlist.

Phase II started March 1 and is only allowing Soldiers with an ETS date of fiscal year 2013 (Oct. 1 - Sept. 30, 2013) the opportunity to reenlist.

The Secretary of the Army also released the Army Retention Initiatives, Army Directive 2012-03, on Feb. 2, which has also raised Army retention standards starting March 1. Those changes will deny staff sergeants and above the opportunity to reenlist, without an exception to policy, if one of the following has occurred:

-Relief for Cause NCO Evaluation Report

-"No" listed in Part IV (Army Values) of an NCOER

-Rating of 4 (fair) or 5 (poor) in part V of an NCOER

-Service School Academic Evaluation Report (DA Form 1059) indicating a failure in an NCO Education System course.

"The best thing for our Soldiers to do is contact their retention noncommissioned officers or myself as soon as possible," Jensen said. "The longer they wait to reenlist, the less options they will have. Once the Army hits its retention goals, they will encourage Soldiers to ETS by limiting reenlistment options. Even if the Soldier is determined to exit the Army, it is in their best interest to see what the Army can do for them before they ETS."

Jensen discussed how most Soldiers want to continue serving not only their country but also continue serving alongside their comrades and continue the esprit de corps not found in other professions.

"Soldiers do not reenlist because of their retention NCOs and career counselors," Jensen said. "They reenlist because of their leadership and command climate provided by that leadership. We must encourage our leaders, senior and junior alike, to engage the 'quality Soldier' using the whole Soldier concept to ensure we keep our best qualified men and women to lead the Army in the future."

One Soldier who recently reenlisted said he is proud to have the opportunity to continue serving alongside the country's best.

"I reenlisted to stay on the team and stay in the fight," said Sgt. Nelson Villanueva, SMDC Headquarters and Headquarters Company. "I like it; I like the career; I like the lifestyle, and it is something I want to continue doing.

"I will be going to Fort Stewart, Ga., with the 3rd Infantry Division," he added. "I will stay in the transportation field and I am looking forward to making the next rank, taking on more responsibilities and continue taking care of Soldiers."