4th Combat Aviation Brigade meets retention goals early

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | Spc. Jeffrey Anderson (right), a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, from Salinas, Calif., accepts congratulations from Capt. Benjamin Watt, executive officer for Co. B, from Los Angeles, Feb. 14, on the Camp Taji Airfield. With just five months into the fiscal year 2009 mission, Anderson was the Soldier who put the CAB over-the-top to complete the yearly mission requirement.  

TAJI, IRAQ

02.21.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt 

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, met the fiscal year 2009 retention goals just five months into the mission as the final Soldier renewed his commitment to the U.S. Army during a ceremony on the Camp Taji Air Field, Feb. 14.

To date, approximately 454 "Iron Eagle" Soldiers have reenlisted to stay Army Strong, and the Fort Hood, Texas-based Soldiers received more than $3.5 million in bonuses for raising their right hand again to renew their commitment to their country and fellow Soldiers.

"From my perspective, accomplishing the mission this early in the fiscal year is an incredible feat," said Staff Sgt. John West, brigade career counselor, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, CAB, from Mercer, Pa. "It truly shows the willingness and commitment our Soldiers have to continue with the mission and their careers as Soldiers."

Troops have numerous options available to them when they consider continuing their careers in the Army. While deployed, tax-free reenlistment bonuses play a significant part in retention negotiations.

"When a Soldier comes into our office, he or she has more than likely already made-up their mind whether or not they want to reenlist. It's our job to help push them in the right direction," West said.

"Money is always important to a Soldier, and should be. But most of them look at it as a small incentive to what they really want and that is to stay in positions that provide promising futures and continued career enhancement."

Spc. Jeffrey Anderson, a Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, from Salinas, Calif., put the brigade over-the-top.

"By the end of my term, I'll already be half way to retirement so it makes sense to me to reenlist," said Anderson, who is on his second deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

To make the reenlistment mission, units are given a number of Soldiers they must reenlist before the end of the fiscal year based-off a percentage of eligible Soldiers; broken down into four categories – initial, mid-career, career and FY 2009 end of time in service.

Soldiers considered initial are on their first enlistment and have never reenlisted before. Mid-career Soldiers have reenlisted at least once during their Army career and have less than ten years of active federal service. Career Soldiers have more than ten years of service. FY 2009 ETS are Soldiers scheduled to separate from the Army this year.

Depending on the situation, retention personnel give Soldiers a choice of options to include bonuses, choice of duty station and change of military occupational specialty. Anderson opted to stay with the "Iron Eagles."

"This is a great day for this company and for the brigade," said Capt. Benjamin Watt, executive officer of Co. B from Los Angeles, who reenlisted Anderson. "He [Anderson] is a hard-worker and a great flight instructor. He is one of my more experienced crew chiefs. I have high hopes for him as he is only a few points away from becoming an non-commissioned officer and he also wants to put in a warrant [officer] packet as well."

• Date Taken: 02.21.2009
• Date Posted: 02.21.2009 05:16
• Story ID: 30260
• Location: TAJI, IQ