Despite the United States Army Reserve retention rates having been on the rise for fiscal year 24, the Army Reserve still faces the challenge of retaining personnel. Many leave the service without understanding the scope of the benefits the Army Reserve offers.
Seargent Topanga Moedoer, a Troop Program Unit (TPU) soldier in the 5th Battalion United States Army Reserve Careers Group (USARCG), used her resources to her advantage in career and all resources the Army Reserve offers to progress to soldiers’ military career and continue their service. Moedoer has been in the Army Reserve for almost nine years and, throughout her experience, has served in other components like the active Army, Active Guard Reserve Program (AGR), Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), and now TPU on track for direct commission. “The benefits just don’t get better than the military, medical, 401k, TSP, and retirement”, said Moedoer,” there are many opportunities to grow on the military side, a lot of the skills are transferable over to the civilian workforce.”
Factors contributing to retention are leadership, compensation, knowledge of options, incentives, career progression, and personal life. The Army Reserve has switched its focus from generalized targets such as training, salary scales and investing in leadership role, to focusing on incentives and career development. The Army Reserve has increased funding for retention bonuses while offering career progression development. Moedoer strongly believes retention rates would benefit from providing soldiers with information on their options. “It begins with understanding your options because only then can you make the best decisions for your military career. Information can sometime be delayed and in those situations, we can lean on our comrades, anybody can be a source of information.”
Moeder’s leadership gave her resources and information to further her military career despite transferring to another component, helping her secure her current assignment. “They were like, we’re going to work together to further your civilian and military career; it was phenomenal to see the support that they still gave me as I was getting out and helped me decide where to go and what to do.” Outside of her previous leadership, she also met with retention and learned about the services and programs the Army Reserve provide. “Retention gave me information for a transition assistance program, it was super easy. Classes such as resume building and job fair events, I didn’t even know that was offered to us, I don’t think a lot of reserve soldiers know that.”
“The support I have is exceptional and the military motivates me to keep pushing and keep looking for solutions to any problems or roadblocks that pop-up,” said Sgt Moedoer. Ultimately, the decision comes down to you know that there are options and resources to help make the best decisions. Start with leadership for direction, they will get you in touch with the unit’s career counselor.
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2024 08:54 |
| Story ID: | 486210 |
| Location: | ORLANDO, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 33 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Why They Stay: Exploring Retention in the Army Reserve, by SGT Daria Jackson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
