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Story by Spc. Matthew Leary
Task Force Fury PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan- Many Soldiers are considering re-enlisting in the Army, but are not sure what their options are. Some have thought about changing their Military Occupational Specialty or getting stationed in a new location to be closer to their family.
For many Soldiers all the options the Army offers when it comes to re-enlistment seem too numerous to sort out. Fortunately, the career counselors stationed throughout the Army are ready and waiting to explain all the options.
"I knew I wanted to re-enlist because I like the Army, the way of life, the physical training and the organization," said Spc. Enrique J. Jimenez, a cannon crewmen with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, who is deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
With that in mind, Jimenez went to Army Master Sgt. Randy A. Notestine, a career counselor with the 4th BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, for advice on how to get the most out of his re-enlistment. Jimenez was able to ask questions, see possible re-enlistment options and hear some sound advice from the noncommissioned officers who work in the shop.
"The retention process is so much more than just getting a number on the board," Notestine explained about the detailed process. "It's about taking care of the soldiers."
"They have been extremely helpful, letting me know the benefits as far as re-enlisting," Jimenez commented after seeing a large part of the re-enlistment process.
Soldiers who are considering re-enlisting should take advantage of the services provided by the re-enlistment office and see the choices they have, Notestine said. Every Soldier's re-enlistment is different, with a variety of options being available based on their Base Active Service Date, MOS, and rank.
And with a wide array of possible options, from bonuses, change of MOS, or choice of specific duty station, it is important that the men and women of the Army realize just what they have available to them.
"The big advantage right now is the tax-free bonus," Notestine said. "If (Soldiers) are going to re-enlist, this is the place to do it."
Deployed Soldiers enjoy the benefit of not having to pay taxes on a majority of their earned income. This includes any re-enlistment bonus a Soldier may receive.
Soldiers with an End Term Service date prior to September 30, should also be aware of an additional bonus the Department of the Army is offering right now, Notestine said.
"If they re-enlist before April 30, the bonus caps are increased by $7,500 and the multiplier is increased by 1.5," Notestine explained. "It all equals to a bigger and better bonus to the Soldier."
And while large bonuses may be a great perk, the Army is also offering other re-enlistment packages for Soldiers because for many, bonus money is only a secondary consideration when it comes to re-enlistment, Notestine said.
"The bonus money is not the first priority," Jimenez agreed while looking over his re-enlistment choices. "You should make your first priority finding what you like to do in the Army, so that you're a happier Soldier in the long run."
Jimenez was speaking about the Army option to re-enlist for a new MOS, an option that has additional appeal to deployed Soldiers.
"The guys back in the states that re-enlist for a new MOS, will not get a bonus," Notestine said.
Normally, when soldiers re-enlist with the option for a new career field, there is no bonus money to be offered. However, due to the previously mentioned MOS-nonspecific bonus being offered by the Army, you can get a bonus and change MOS's if you are deployed. Soldiers must meet the required prerequisites of the new MOS and there are limitations depending on an individual's current MOS, desired MOS and rank he added.
Besides bonus money and changing a Soldier's MOS, there is one more main avenue Soldiers may pursue when considering re-enlisting; choosing their new duty station.
Re-enlisting for a new duty station is something available to Soldiers; however, there are more restrictions on this option. First of all, this can only be used by Soldiers with less than 24 months left on their enlistment. Once again, depending on a Soldier's grade, MOS and availability of assignments, there are limitations within the option, he said.
The additional opportunities available to Soldiers considering re-enlistment while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom are too numerous to fully address without consulting a career counselor. Although they are not the only ones you should consult, Notestine added.
"Do talk it over with your loved ones at home," he said. "Because individuals enlist, but normally, we re-enlist families."
And while the Army is not for everyone there are many benefits the Army has to offer its Soldiers that the civilian sector cannot touch, he added. Retirement after 20 years, medical and dental coverage, 30 days paid leave and four day weekends your first year on the job are just some of the benefits, he added.
Soldiers can be reassured that they can learn all the pertinent information for their re-enlistment from a career counselor.
Notestine cautioned Soldiers not to enter the office with too many preconceived notions about what they can and can't get out of a re-enlistment.
"It is really personalized down to the soldier from his BASD, grade, primary MOS and whether he has re-enlisted before," he said. "Don't think just because the guy to the left or to the right of you received money that it means you'll get the same. Bonuses are 100 percent personal to a Soldier's information."
So as Jimenez and other members of the Army weigh their options for re-enlisting while deployed, the career counselors of Task Force Fury and other units will be available to help them.
"At least come and see what we have to offer," Notestine said. "Before you look outside the team; really weigh the facts."
| Date Taken: | 03.20.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2007 10:24 |
| Story ID: | 9511 |
| Location: | KHOST, AF |
| Web Views: | 241 |
| Downloads: | 184 |
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