How can leaders effectively retain 1st enlistment personnels before their 4 years mark?

2017-07-10T20:18:42-04:00

Response by Sgt Davis Le made Jul 10 at 2017 8:24 PM

2017-07-10T20:24:13-04:00

Seeing this strip got me remembering my enlistment. Before I got out, my Staff Sergeant sat me down and explored all my options before my enlistment is done. He really wanted me to stay in and talked for a while on it. When checking out from PACS in Camp Lejeune and doing my final career retention paperwork, another Marine asked me if I wanted to stay in. Again, no; but it got me thinking about what my Staff Sergeant said to me. I may be mopping, but kinda wished Career Retention officers were more persuasive.

Response by MSgt Marshall Schiller made Jul 10 at 2017 9:12 PM

2017-07-10T21:12:07-04:00

As leaders, it is our job to make sure that personnel approaching milestones during their first enlistment are aware of, and fully understand, any and all options available to them. They also need to understand what they are walking away from. At that point our job is done.

I never considered myself a salesman for the military. Some people really enjoy the military, some tolerate it, and some despise it. The decision to remain in MUST come from within the individual. I just made sure that that person had the information needed to make the decision themselves.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2017 4:08 AM

2017-07-11T04:08:48-04:00

Maybe I have an advantage of using my five-year break in service experience to pursued them to stay in, but in all reality, leaders can only do so much. Whether it be personal or professional reasons for leaving the military, the decision is ultimately up to the service member. BUT.......they all come back eventually, muahahahahahahahaha.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 11 at 2017 10:26 PM

2017-07-11T22:26:34-04:00

I like the comments. One thing that is missed frequently is on a first enlistment, retention considerations start for the leaders on Day One. Is the SM valued? Is the SM getting what's needed for training? Does the SM have the equipment to perform the tasks? Do you give the SM meaningful tasks that the SM can see the value or do you give the SM crap work? There are a ton more questions I could pose, but bottom line, having some grouchy NCO yell at the SM at the 3.5 year point that he's a shit if he gets out typically means the SM made up his mind a long time ago.

Response by PO3 Richard King made Jul 11 at 2017 11:28 PM

2017-07-11T23:28:11-04:00

When I was looking at reenlistment after my first five years in, my command didnt even want to talk to me about reenlisting. Not until I left to head home on leave and my squadron left on the shock and awe campaign. The personnel officer from the rag squadron called me at home telling me I made E-5 and if I wanted to re enlist. By then I had a job and a kid on the way. Now I regret it not staying in, the guys i was in with are now retiring.