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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I make it a point to always have a Soldier's family around if possible so the spouse can weigh in with qiestions and such. Many times they bring their children along as well, and giving a little trinket to the kids can often show them that you are actually counseling and helping them to make the best decision instead of "getting a number" as is often the perception.
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If you use critical thinking about this then you can see the recruit (FUTURE SOLDIER /FCS) arriving at Basic/AIT/OSUT and playing with his or her spinner as a DS walks up, this will not end well and is a wast of money. Buy them a good pair of running shoes for PT if you want to help them so they don't have to spend their money on the crappy sneakers available where they go. :)
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1SG Dennis Hicks
SFC (Join to see) - Damn you got me, Brainfart. Then change DI to PSG catching one of his/her knuckleheads playing with a spinner if that's possible with all these smart phones etc :) Still a waste, some new running shoes would be nice to get me to stay in, but then again so would a bottle or good rum or whiskey :)
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No time for fidget spinners.In my day fidget spinners were wrenches,paper and pen,behind the computer,operating m60 chassis,cleaning my weapon,ironing my uniform,taking care of my boots,I'm not a fan of adhd I think it is a cop out for not paying attention to detail.Fidget spinners are toys for kids I don't see nothing wrong with that but to allow a so called adhd person to sit in class and play with one hinders attention to the teacher and other students.With that said a challenge coin would be better.
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SFC (Join to see)
Actually they were designed to assist with Autism, not ADHD. They have strayed from that and I agree it is more for kids but today's younger generation of Soldiers get a kick out of stupid gadgets in my opinion. I prefer the challenge coin as well. Good insight though and thanks for the response.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
SSG Jimmy Cernich In the 6th grade, I was busted when my fidget cap gun went off in class!
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Fidget spinner, eh, maybe not. I daresay make it job specific, if possible. Example, give MI Soldiers laser pointers. I found lasers to be helpful in certain command briefs. Although battery packs are always useful in today's environment given the amount of technology floating around.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
SPC Paul Golden You would trust a Soldier with a laser pointer when the Army has so many aircraft??
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Assuming the target audience to be my generation (millennial) you will find quite a few who will bite, however, there are a good number of us who can't stand those things.
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GREAT IDEA! Publicity items promote something (retention in this case)...these are extremely popular amongst younger/future Soldiers.
Get a 5-side spinner and have Soldiers spin for one of 5 reenlistment options. :)
Get a 5-side spinner and have Soldiers spin for one of 5 reenlistment options. :)
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SGM Matthew Quick
There will always be nay-sayers...if you've 'Polled the Target Audience', you'll normally get the best answer.
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I was previously a recruiter. It all depends on who your audience is and what the quality of the SWAG is. I would give out lanyards for days, but kids would stop taking them because they were made so cheap. They much rather preferred the Marines lanyards. I think if you were able to personalize the spinners a bit (ex. engrave the name, unit, year, or just something specific to retention in general such as "This we'll defend") Soldiers may be more interested in keeping them as they would keep a coin. This is all moot if the thing is 95% plastic though, as I'm sure most things you order from the Army's swag store is, but it's who you know! Good luck SFC Janicki!
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SFC (Join to see)
Thank you. I prefer to purchase less product in trade for quality. Cheap products only hurt the program. Like the new coins are poker chips. I personally think that was a bad call on whoever started that. I do agree it is all about the audience and knowing what they will like.
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SGT (Join to see)
Agreed, and the little things that display you went the extra mile only reaffirms to that Soldier that they're being taken care of, not being sold something.
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Sgt Dana Peters
Take a look at 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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Privates love that stupid shit, make a special fidget spinner that does a "whirring" noise for after they sign their contracts, numbers would go through the roof even better than we started handing out free crayons
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Cpl John Barker
Oh they are definitely stupid, I still have one although. Drunk girls love fidget spinners when you're at the bar, whatever gets high schoolers to sign up. Remember back in the 90's when we had that ad about killing a dragon to become a Marine?
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Cpl John Barker Marine recruiters handed out crayons to entice prospective enlistees?
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