What does it mean to be coded E for retention?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 17:02:48 -0400

I am currently at my first duty station(Korea) and I emailed my branch regarding my next duty station. He told me that currently all 10/20level in my MOS are “coded E for retention.” I was wondering what this meant. He told me to wait 45more days to see if the duty station that i want has an open slot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2018 10:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:02:05 -0400

Without knowing which specific code he's referring to, I think he's saying that all the requisitions are coded for reenlistment for use by Retention management branch.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 13 at 2018 10:08 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:08:24 -0400

I was sent to Korea for my first post right after AIT although I had put Vietnam on my dream sheet. I later learned that my MOS was a "critical MOS." Guess that explains why the recruiter push it so hard as it was not what I wanted but it was a long school, that sold me. Nearing the end of my 1st 13th months in Korea I was once again presented with the waste of paper dream sheet, I entered: 1) Vietnam {again}; 2) Korea and 3) Korea. Anything to avoid state-side or Eur assignment. Well, I spent nearly 27 months in Korea, 1968-1970. Go figure. Then, while they were drafting men at higher numbers than since WWII they were giving guys with an enlistment of 3 or 4 years an "early out" so I got out 6 months early. (I am not sure if this applied to all the US guys as well or just RA.) Why keep the well trained soldiers and replace him with raw draftees? Again, go figure. Gotta love the Army! (Which I did by the way,)