Posted on Jun 22, 2015
Is a Commander allowed to require a retention checklist prior to signing a DA Form 3340?
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So I have read somewhere that a Command team is not allowed to require Soldiers to use a retention checklist in order to warranted reenlistment. I have a Soldier that was told that he needs to write a memorandum for record expressing his accomplishments in order for his commander to sign his DA Form 3340-R. This Soldier meets all of the basic qualifications for reenlistment IAW AR 601-280 and doesn't fall under the Army Precision Retention Policy. Therefore, I can not understand the commanders reasoning behind his request for the Soldier to prove why he should be reenlisted.
Posted in these groups: 
Re-enlistment
Re-enlistment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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The scenario shared in this thread is a problem that happens in many commands around the Army. Being a Career Counselor first hand I know that many Commanders try to add certain criteria or requirements supplementing AR 601-280 to ensure that they are retaining the best qualified soldiers IAW AR 601-280 Chapter 3 under the "Total whole Soldier Concept". AR 601-280 Chapter 11 Par 11-16 clearly states that "Other than stated, the DA form 3340-R will be approved prior to the initiation of reenlistment or extension processing. When any soldier is qualified for immediate reenlistment then there is nothing that prohibits the Soldier from reenlisting other than a disqualification as per AR 601-280. If the Soldier is forced to type a memorandum then utilize the Career Counselor of the immediate organization to address the situation. If there is no resolution at that level then the Brigade Senior Career Counselor should educate and advise the Command Team on the conflict this may bring to the Command. If there is no resolution then encourage the Soldier to utilize the Inspector General to reach out and inform the Command Team that this is a possible ground for a complaint which can bring repercussions that are unnecessary.
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I think you might be mixing a couple things up...the Commander will not keep an "OML" for retention - is that the checklist you speak of? Requiring a memorandum for record is a form of the Soldier providing a contract with the Commander of what he/she intends to do and might be what the Commander needs to determine which Soldier they will allow to remain in service. One thing remains a constant concerning retention - requirements change, every week there is a new announcement or new in/out calls or missions based on projected needs and etc....Its probably a good idea for the Commander to do this as it should push the Soldier to achieve more than they thought they could.
The Commander will (should) sign the 3340-R as an endorsement for the reenlistment or as a recommendation for denial.
Not knowing the Soldier in question, here's a scenario to consider: just because a Soldier is qualified (e.g. scores a 180 on APFT, qualifies with 23/40 hits on qual range, has a 93 GT score on ASVAB and has not improved the score during the first enlistment, minimal college/correspondence courses, multiple profiles, dodging deployments, additional responsibility & schools and etc.) does not mean the Soldier gets to remain in service. While the Soldier in this example may be qualified, it is clearly an indication of a marginal Soldier. We say we only want to keep the best....well, we are getting to that point where the choice of keeping a marginal Soldier will equal not being able to keep a superstar....who would you recommend keeping?
SFC (Join to see) is a SME and competed this month at the Department of the Army level Career Counselor of the Year competition, he can provide some outstan
The Commander will (should) sign the 3340-R as an endorsement for the reenlistment or as a recommendation for denial.
Not knowing the Soldier in question, here's a scenario to consider: just because a Soldier is qualified (e.g. scores a 180 on APFT, qualifies with 23/40 hits on qual range, has a 93 GT score on ASVAB and has not improved the score during the first enlistment, minimal college/correspondence courses, multiple profiles, dodging deployments, additional responsibility & schools and etc.) does not mean the Soldier gets to remain in service. While the Soldier in this example may be qualified, it is clearly an indication of a marginal Soldier. We say we only want to keep the best....well, we are getting to that point where the choice of keeping a marginal Soldier will equal not being able to keep a superstar....who would you recommend keeping?
SFC (Join to see) is a SME and competed this month at the Department of the Army level Career Counselor of the Year competition, he can provide some outstan
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SSG (Join to see)
I am not speaking about an OML. I have been the BN Retention NCO for my unit since Dec. I am not a career counselor but this is the first time that I have had a Commander refuse to sign a DA Form 3340-R unless the Soldier writes and MFR to prove his accomplishments. The Soldier in question was just promoted to E4, he has continuously raised his AFPT his last score was a 290, he has an Expert weapon score, he is always helping his fellow peers however he has not completed correspondent courses or college. I was told by another Commander that as long as a Soldier meets the basic requirements of reenlistment and the Soldier is otherwise fully eligible for reenlistment that the Commander would have to sign a DA Form 3340 per the regulation but I can't find it in the regulation.
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SSG (Join to see)
Yes, the Commander told me that he is allowed to request whatever he wants because the Army is downsizing. I tactfully asked him if he could show me in writing that he is allowed to require additional information other than what AR 601-280 states are the requirements. He told me under the Milper Message 15-138 SOLDIERS AND LEADERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE MEMORANDUMS ARTICULATING ANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THE SOLDIER HAS ACHIEVED WHICH ARE NOT ANNOTATED ON THE SOLDIER’S ERB OR IPERMS RECORD. However, this Soldier doesn't fall under any of the provisions of the REGULAR ARMY PRECISION RETENTION; therefore, this Milper Message would not pertain to this Soldier.
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
Are you equating this memorandum to a checklist? Sounds to me that the Commander might have asked for this from another Soldier and to avoid any question of favoritism is demanding every Soldier provide the same memorandum....forgive me for not entertaining guessing at a continuously unfolding scenario. Do you have a BDE Career Counselor available? If so, I encourage you to resource them, if not, please reach out to SSG Garcia as I linked in an earlier post. I am interested in the end result and the root cause of this situation. Thanks.
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I believe the Commander's requirement in his unit is due to AR 601-280, Chap 3, Para 3-7, a and b(8). 3-7 a. Commanders should evaluate all potential reenlistees under the "whole person" concept. Suggestions in 3-7(b) give him guidelines to consider and is not an absolute list. This is what I think he is doing within the unit.
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