Posted on Aug 8, 2017
What are your thoughts on fidget spinners for promotional items through retention?
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Posted in these groups: 
Retention
79S: Career Counselor
Retention 79S: Career Counselor
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 137
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When I ETS'd way back when, I saw that I had 3 conferences with my retention NCO. I never knew I had a retention NCO. I guess that's why I got out and finished up in the National Guard.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
SGT Jared Kennamer Please be gentle when you ask questions of Guard recruiters!
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SGT Jared Kennamer
They were always good for a coffee cup or a really nice ink pen. Deployed twice with my last unit. I'd do it again but my wife would kill me.
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So as a Recruiter I have to say that most of our target audience is between the ages of 17-21. These kids love these things. A lot of people have ADHD and it’s useful for them, myself included. Others are just following a trend and it works for us. But with that being said over the last 2 years I’ve enlisted around 20 or so in my small area and I’ve never had the necessity of giving these out. RPI’s are great for table display presentations and catching someone’s eye. Besides that it’s not a fundamental resource.
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As long as you retain good soldiers who cares. Times change. Adapt and overcome.
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I'm actually a manufacturer of custom engraved stainless steel military spinners as well as other products. I can tell you right now, people don't just throw our products in a drawer and forget about them. They are conversation pieces, and commemorative items that will last a life time as our customers will tell you. Take a look at our site http://www.milspin.com
Milspin - Weapons-Grade Military Spinners
We specialize in custom metal products for the military community including Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast guard.
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SFC (Join to see)
As for them being conversation piece I do agree. As for lasting a lifetime......eehhhhhh
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Sgt Dana Peters
SFC (Join to see) - They're 1/4" thick solid stainless steel with deep engravings, not laser engravings. They're indestructible unless you have a deliberate desire to destroy it, and even then you better have a lot of time on your hands.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Sgt Dana Peters As a retired machinist type, I am surprised the bearings in your spinners are not ‘sealed’.
I was born in Columbus, lived on Tompkins near Hudson and High and on the Hilltop. “We” used to buy a bag of 20 sliders from the White Castle on N High St for a dollar in 1939!
I was born in Columbus, lived on Tompkins near Hudson and High and on the Hilltop. “We” used to buy a bag of 20 sliders from the White Castle on N High St for a dollar in 1939!
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I would rather have a good pair of boots or two For re-enlisting. How about some new eye pro. Something I would actually use. Fidget spinners are for when you don't have anything to do.
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SFC (Join to see)
That would be nice but with the limitations we have on ordering stuff, those would be impossible. Maybe glasses but they would not be authorized in uniform for the ones we could get.
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Just another gimmick, I think Sergeant...but if it works to bring in new recruits, why not.
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SFC (Join to see)
Not used to bring in new recruits. I am dealing with the Soldiers that are trying to figure out their future in the Army. I use them to promote the program and get the name out there. Seems to be working.
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