Courtesy Photo | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Lt. Col. John Boulé, commander, 62nd Engineer Battalion,...... read more read more
Sgt. 1st Class Tracy L. Ballog
16th Eng. Bde. PAO
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - The 62nd Engineer Battalion has been building again, not necessarily by constructing clinics, reworking base electrical systems or repairing roads, but rather through building the Army team with 62 reenlistments in 62 days.
"62 in 62 is a slogan to provide focus for our retention program. What's most important is retaining the Army's most precious assets, our Soldiers, who are selflessly serving each and every day, making huge contributions to this war effort," said Lt. Col. John Boulé, commander, 62nd Eng. Bn., 16th Engineer Brigade, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.
"The "62 in 62" re-up campaign was a great way to help market our product, the U.S. Army, link it to our unit pride and provide purpose, motivation and direction in the reenlistment arena for command teams and soldiers," said Command Sgt. Major Richard St. Cyr.
According to Staff Sgt. Michael Gleason, the battalion's retention noncommissioned officer, the battalion's retention effort was so successful it met its goal by March 25 " 17 days early.
The 62 soldiers who reenlisted were also winners in the campaign, earning a combined $1.1 million in reenlistment bonuses.
"Accomplishing the mission above expectations, such as this one, is not just what we strive for, but it is the standard set every day by our Soldiers," said Gleason.
Gleason credits Boulé with the initiative's "62 in 62" theme and added that a high level of command emphasis greatly assisted the promotion's achievements.
"In September 2005, prior to deploying, Lt. Col. Boulé came to me and said he wanted to kick off the campaign soon after we touched down in Iraq. Upon my arrival in country in January, I was given the mission and we kicked off the campaign on February 7," said Gleason.
The last Soldier to reenlist during the campaign was Spc. Ralph Cordero, Headquarters Support Company, 62nd Eng. Bn., who was one of 25 first-timers committed to remaining in the U.S. Army.
Cordero, a truck driver from Jersey City, N.J., with just over two years of service, said the bonus was his primary reason to reenlist but added that his pride in being in the 62nd, "was definitely a factor" in deciding to stay in the military.
Additionally, Cordero and his wife, Lola, are expecting their first child, so the bonus will give them a good start with their growing family.
Sgt. Maurice Kinnard, a 12-year military veteran from Tucson, Ariz., who serves as a senior plumber with Co. A, 62nd Eng. Bn., said he had already planned to remain in the military until retirement, and the military benefits for his family were the most important factor in his reenlistment decision.
Spc. Douglas Robey, a native of Mt. Savage, Md., a plumber with Co. A., 62nd Eng. Bn., echoed Sgt. Kinard's reasoning, "I always intended to make the Army my career, so the bonus was an added benefit."
Gleason said he is not surprised that so many Soldiers in the battalion were willing to remain in uniform.
"For the Soldiers who have reenlisted, and those who will reenlist, there is a great benefit with the bonus. They've earned it and continue to earn it every day with the sacrifices they make to serve our great nation and in the most decorated Engineer Battalion in the U.S. Army," he said.
"Accomplishment of this mission is just a small part of the many missions that happen and are successfully accomplished every day by our Soldiers here in Iraq," he added.
So, what's the next retention challenge for the most decorated engineer battalion in the U.S. Army? Not surprisingly, it has already confidently kicked off the "62 in 62 Times Two" campaign - with a goal of doubling its reenlistment numbers of the first initiative.
Following this deployment, Gleason will return to his hometown in Harker Heights, Texas, where he said he hopes to become qualified and transfer to a career counselor position. His goal is to "positively affect the futures of many Soldiers throughout their careers."
| Date Taken: | 04.07.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2006 09:38 |
| Story ID: | 5984 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 400 |
| Downloads: | 46 |
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