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File Photo
Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, re-enlists Staff Sgt. Ibilola Animashaun, 71st Transportation Battalion, Army Logistics University, and Sgt. Wesley Surface, Logistics Noncommissioned OfďŹ cer Academy, during the Fiscal 2016 Retention Awards Luncheon here Oct. 19.
$UP\ VZHHWHQV UHWHQWLRQ GHDOV ZLWK LQFHQWLYHV NLFNHU ERQXVHV The potential for a big payday is possible for Soldiers who decide to extend their enlistment contracts, according to a representative of the CASCOM Retention Office here. Incentives of up to $10,000 and kicker bonuses of up to $13,000 are among the enticements being offered to those on the cusp of leaving the Army before the end of September, noted Master Sgt. Troy A. Isakson, Retention Operations noncommissioned officer. “Simply put, we need quality Soldiers to stay,� he said, using words similar to a statement by Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey during a January town hall at the Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md. “We don’t want Soldiers to overlook any of the options available, particularly at this time when we have extra flexibility to reward them for staying in,� Isakson added. The new push to retain troops was prompted by the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2017. It set the Army’s end strength to just over 1 million personnel for all components. Earlier proposals had the entire Army slated to draw down to 980,000 by the end of this year. The
NDAA increased the active force by 16,000 to an end strength of 476,000 and bumped up the reserve component by 12,000. “We’re not in a drawdown anymore,â€? Dailey announced in January, “we’re in an increase situation. The Army is going to get bigger.â€? Soldiers who decide to extend their service for 12 months may receive a cash bonus, up to $10,000, depending on their military occupational specialty, time in service and re-enlistment eligibility. Choice of duty location, stabilization at assigned stations, chances to extend service rather than re-enlist, and incentives such as schools are other ways the Army hopes to retain its own. Assignment and training options vary by MOS. Other incentives listed by Isakson include: • Suspending the 90-day retention window, meaning Soldiers can reenlist right up to their expiration term of service date. • Increasing the Retention Control Point for specialists and sergeants who are promotable and are filling desired military occupational specialty positions. • Giving Soldiers in over-strength
MOSs movement options for reenlistment. • Increasing the number of MOSs on the Selective Reenlistment Bonus list and adding “tier levels.â€? Soldiers eligible for a Selective Reenlistment Bonus, as directed in MILPER Message 17-029, will receive a $13,000 kicker bonus in addition to the MOS-specific bonus with a minimum three-year reenlistment, Isakson noted. Soldiers are not authorized to receive both the incentive and kicker bonus, he clarified. “The key message we’re trying to get out is for Soldiers to come and see us if they’re nearing the end of an enlistment contract and want to explore the options for staying in uniform,â€? Isakson concluded. “When the Army can hold on to good people, and is given an opportunity like this to reward them for staying, it’s a win-win for everyone.â€? The Retention Office is located in the Soldier Support Center, building 3400, Room 201. Isakson can be reached at (804) 734-6302 or troy.a.isakson.mil@mail.mil. – CASCOM Retention Office and Staff Reports