thedrifter
09-01-06, 01:59 PM
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa (Sep 1, 2006) -- When it comes time to reenlist, a lance corporal has more control over his future than a gunnery sergeant.
That's because Marines on their first enlistment, or first-termers, are the Marine Corps' future and must be retained, said Gunnery Sgt. Timothy D. Lucas, a career retention specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base.
"The first reenlistment is the hardest one to make, and we want Marines to become career Marines," he said. "The incentives are there to encourage the Marines to make the decision to stay."
The Marine Corps has already surpassed its goal of reenlisting 5,892 first-term Marines. As of Aug. 23, 23.4 percent or 5,982 out of 25,540 of eligible first-term Marines have reenlisted, according to Sgt. Nicole M. Showman, a career retention specialist with H&S Bn.
First-term Marines often qualify for a number of incentives including cash bonuses, choice of duty station, a lateral move or special duty assignment.
Cpl. Allan R. Weeg, a military police Marine with Camp Foster's Provost Marshal's Office, scheduled to reenlist Oct. 1, has been approved for reenlistment and is eligible for several incentives with his contract. He will receive a cash bonus and a one-year extension on Okinawa with 30 days of leave.
First-term Marines can make a lateral move into another occupational specialty by making a "wish list" of three new fields they would like to have. When a Marine does not qualify for a field, his career retention specialist can provide him with information on how he may become eligible.
Marines can also choose a special duty assignment such as drill instructor, Marine combat instructor or Marine security guard.
Marines who reenlist for four or more years can request special training incentives such as assignment to the High Risk Personnel Course and U.S. Army Airborne Course.
Marines may also have the option to select a preferred duty station, and career retention specialists will work to help get the Marine where he wants to go.
Marines must reenlist for four or more years to obtain a cash bonus in their respective field, but cash bonuses are virtually automatic as long as the field offers a bonus.
"If you rate a bonus, you get it," Lucas said.
Marines looking to reenlist should contact their career retention specialist as early as possible and submit their reenlistment packages for the final fiscal year of their enlistment.
"We want to keep Marines in the Marine Corps," Lucas said. "The incentives and bonuses are just tangible things to show the Marines what we have to offer."
Ellie
That's because Marines on their first enlistment, or first-termers, are the Marine Corps' future and must be retained, said Gunnery Sgt. Timothy D. Lucas, a career retention specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base.
"The first reenlistment is the hardest one to make, and we want Marines to become career Marines," he said. "The incentives are there to encourage the Marines to make the decision to stay."
The Marine Corps has already surpassed its goal of reenlisting 5,892 first-term Marines. As of Aug. 23, 23.4 percent or 5,982 out of 25,540 of eligible first-term Marines have reenlisted, according to Sgt. Nicole M. Showman, a career retention specialist with H&S Bn.
First-term Marines often qualify for a number of incentives including cash bonuses, choice of duty station, a lateral move or special duty assignment.
Cpl. Allan R. Weeg, a military police Marine with Camp Foster's Provost Marshal's Office, scheduled to reenlist Oct. 1, has been approved for reenlistment and is eligible for several incentives with his contract. He will receive a cash bonus and a one-year extension on Okinawa with 30 days of leave.
First-term Marines can make a lateral move into another occupational specialty by making a "wish list" of three new fields they would like to have. When a Marine does not qualify for a field, his career retention specialist can provide him with information on how he may become eligible.
Marines can also choose a special duty assignment such as drill instructor, Marine combat instructor or Marine security guard.
Marines who reenlist for four or more years can request special training incentives such as assignment to the High Risk Personnel Course and U.S. Army Airborne Course.
Marines may also have the option to select a preferred duty station, and career retention specialists will work to help get the Marine where he wants to go.
Marines must reenlist for four or more years to obtain a cash bonus in their respective field, but cash bonuses are virtually automatic as long as the field offers a bonus.
"If you rate a bonus, you get it," Lucas said.
Marines looking to reenlist should contact their career retention specialist as early as possible and submit their reenlistment packages for the final fiscal year of their enlistment.
"We want to keep Marines in the Marine Corps," Lucas said. "The incentives and bonuses are just tangible things to show the Marines what we have to offer."
Ellie