thedrifter
03-31-04, 05:57 AM
Career retention specialist assists Marines in life-changing decisions
Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification Number: 2004327103320
Story by Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III
AL ASAD, Iraq(March 27, 2004) -- "I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Every Marine who enlists has spoken these words and the career retention specialist is the key to a successful reenlistment. The career retention specialist for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, Sgt. Jason L. Ventura, a 26-year-old San Diego, native has a goal that is common among most in his field.
"I am acting as a direct liaison between the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters Marine Corps and the Marine reenlisting and his commanding officer," said the former ground electronics repairman. "I am here to retain the highest quality Marines we have in this unit."
Ventura knows the importance of CRS in the Marine Corps.
"I have to screen Marines for special duties and select Marines for officer and educational programs and assignments offered by the Marine Corps," he said. "What we do creates the career force and makes the Marine Corps what it is today."
Ventura said there were many factors that helped him become a CRS, but only one of them stays in his mind the most.
"I did not listen to my CRS and reenlisted late in the fiscal year," he said. "Instead of continuing in the communication field, I chose to be a career retention specialist. I am trying to make sure that Marines who fall into the same type of situation that I did listen to my advice and learn from my mistake."
One thing that Ventura concentrates on while here is the fact he has more than 30 Marines who may want to reenlist while in the theater of operations.
"I strive for at least a 25 percent successful reenlistment," he said. "Having numbers like these as a sergeant is getting me ready to become a CRS for a battalion or regiment. I try to be realistic about the numbers and in a perfect world 25 percent is a good number."
On March 25, Ventura completed his first reenlistment in Iraq for Master Sgt. Alan C. Christenson, the plans chief for aviation logistics division, MWHS-3.
"I have reenlisted a few times over my career," said the 39-year-old Lake Forest, Calif., native. "My experience with Sergeant Ventura was the fastest most accurate reenlistment I have done."
According to Christenson, as a reservist his reenlistments take anywhere from two or three months and Ventura completed his in two weeks.
"We started and completed my reenlistment while we were still at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar," he said. "To me it makes a difference when you can choose where you want to reenlist. Sergeant Ventura made sure I was going to be able to do my ceremony in Iraq."
Ventura has a unique way of being a CRS and does not hesitate to tell a Marine what their options are for a career in the Marine Corps.
"One of the most common questions I am asked as a CRS is what type of bonus can I get for staying in," he said. "Some of the time I tell them they should stay in to stay Marine."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004327104725/$file/040325-M-7095Z-001-CRSlr.jpg
Master Sgt. Alan C. Christenson, a 39-year-old Lake Forest, Calif., native and plans chief for Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, takes the oath of reenlistment March 25. There are more Marines like Christenson who will take the oath while deployed to the Al Anbar Province of western Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Photo by: Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/392FE9EE6A2B085185256E6400557323?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: 3d Marine Aircraft Wing
Story Identification Number: 2004327103320
Story by Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III
AL ASAD, Iraq(March 27, 2004) -- "I, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Every Marine who enlists has spoken these words and the career retention specialist is the key to a successful reenlistment. The career retention specialist for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, Sgt. Jason L. Ventura, a 26-year-old San Diego, native has a goal that is common among most in his field.
"I am acting as a direct liaison between the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Headquarters Marine Corps and the Marine reenlisting and his commanding officer," said the former ground electronics repairman. "I am here to retain the highest quality Marines we have in this unit."
Ventura knows the importance of CRS in the Marine Corps.
"I have to screen Marines for special duties and select Marines for officer and educational programs and assignments offered by the Marine Corps," he said. "What we do creates the career force and makes the Marine Corps what it is today."
Ventura said there were many factors that helped him become a CRS, but only one of them stays in his mind the most.
"I did not listen to my CRS and reenlisted late in the fiscal year," he said. "Instead of continuing in the communication field, I chose to be a career retention specialist. I am trying to make sure that Marines who fall into the same type of situation that I did listen to my advice and learn from my mistake."
One thing that Ventura concentrates on while here is the fact he has more than 30 Marines who may want to reenlist while in the theater of operations.
"I strive for at least a 25 percent successful reenlistment," he said. "Having numbers like these as a sergeant is getting me ready to become a CRS for a battalion or regiment. I try to be realistic about the numbers and in a perfect world 25 percent is a good number."
On March 25, Ventura completed his first reenlistment in Iraq for Master Sgt. Alan C. Christenson, the plans chief for aviation logistics division, MWHS-3.
"I have reenlisted a few times over my career," said the 39-year-old Lake Forest, Calif., native. "My experience with Sergeant Ventura was the fastest most accurate reenlistment I have done."
According to Christenson, as a reservist his reenlistments take anywhere from two or three months and Ventura completed his in two weeks.
"We started and completed my reenlistment while we were still at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar," he said. "To me it makes a difference when you can choose where you want to reenlist. Sergeant Ventura made sure I was going to be able to do my ceremony in Iraq."
Ventura has a unique way of being a CRS and does not hesitate to tell a Marine what their options are for a career in the Marine Corps.
"One of the most common questions I am asked as a CRS is what type of bonus can I get for staying in," he said. "Some of the time I tell them they should stay in to stay Marine."
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004327104725/$file/040325-M-7095Z-001-CRSlr.jpg
Master Sgt. Alan C. Christenson, a 39-year-old Lake Forest, Calif., native and plans chief for Aviation Logistics Division, Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 3, takes the oath of reenlistment March 25. There are more Marines like Christenson who will take the oath while deployed to the Al Anbar Province of western Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Photo by: Sgt. J.L. Zimmer III
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/392FE9EE6A2B085185256E6400557323?opendocument
Ellie