209th ASB reenlists 150 Soldiers in a Combat Zone

By Spc. Bryanna Poulin

Deputy commanding general for support of 25th Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Frank Wiercinski performs the oath of reenlistment to Sgt. Efigenia Mitchell with 209th Aviation Support Battalion at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, April 20. The reenlistment ceremony marks the 150th Soldier with 209th ASB that has reenlisted in a combat zone. Photo by Spc. Bryanna Poulin, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs.

The United States Army has made many changes through the years.

For Soldiers deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the benefit some Soldiers make the most of is the tax free bonus they receive by reenlisting. However, getting Soldiers to "Stay Army" is a mission of its own; to get 150 Soldiers from one battalion to reenlist is an entire war by itself.

"The challenge Soldiers face when deciding if they want to reenlist is what they want to do in terms of their future in the Military," said Sgt. 1st Class Marc Carter, a career counselor for 25th Combat Aviation Brigade.

For the retention office with the 209th Aviation Support Battalion, 25th CAB at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, this challenge was conquered when the 150th Soldier reenlisted, April 20, an achievement that may sound easier than it really is.

Commander of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Col. A.T Ball congratulates Sgt. Efigenia Mitchell with 209th ASB. Mitchell was the 150th Soldier to reenlist in the battalion in a combat zone. Photo by Spc. Bryanna Poulin, 25th CAB Public Affairs.

"We show the soldiers what the Army will offer them if they decide to stay in Army," added Sgt. Khalilah Najwa Joyner, a 209th ASB reenlistment noncommissioned officer, "It was very difficult and took a lot of dedication to get that many Soldiers to reenlist ... especially in Iraq."

Carter further explained deployments can sometimes cast a shadow for Soldiers future plans. It's the responsibility of retention and the career counselors to make a plan of action for Soldiers.

"With the operational tempo being higher, it can sometime deter Soldiers from wanting to do this for additional years," Carter said. "We have to talk to our Soldiers and have them realize that missions in Iraq are much different in garrison."

Joyner added being away from loved ones is another hindrance Soldiers deal with in their decision to reenlist, and she tries to put herself in the Soldiers' shoes and give them the best advice she has.

"A lot of Soldiers are cautious about staying in, so I have them write down and itemize what it will cost them in the civilian world," Joyner said further. "How much it will cost for medical insurance, college and rent are just a few of the costs that could incur ... Soldiers look at that and they see the real numbers."

Joyner said she enjoys always being around Soldiers and tries to encourage and motivate them to reenlist, even if it takes her own personal time.

Deputy commanding general for support of 25th Infantry Division, Brig. Gen. Frank Wiercinski signs the reenlistment orders with the 209th battalion reenlistment, Sgt. Khalilah Najwa Joyner. The reenlistment was the 150th reenlistment in a combat zone for 209th Aviation Support Battalion at Contingency Operating Base Speicher. Photo by Spc. Bryanna Poulin, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs.

"I want every Soldier in the battalion to know who I am," Joyner said smiling. "I try to always be around them ... mostly though it's because I love talking to Soldiers."

For the 209th ASB, which was formed in Jan, 2006, the 150 Soldiers reenlisting since the deployment is a milestone.

"Most Soldiers reenlist for the bonus to take care of their family," said Joyner. "We try to get Soldiers what they want such as choice of duty station, bonuses or reclassification into another Military Occupational Specialty."

While some desire a new MOS, or others might want a different duty station, the driving force for many Soldiers is the tax free bonus.

"In this battalion alone, more than $1 million has been given for reenlistment bonuses," stated Carter.

Having the "whatever it takes" attitude has been successful for Joyner in getting Soldiers to reenlist.

"I had a Soldier who wanted to reenlist on a hangar and I am scared of heights," Joyner said. "I had to overcome my fear, because I will try to the best of my ability, to have Soldiers to reenlist."

The reenlistment approach that 209th ASB has demonstrated couldn't have been done without the support from the chain of command Joyner thought.

Joyner believes when Soldiers see their chain of command at ceremonies it shows that the command is willing to support its Soldiers.

Brig. Gen. Frank Wiercinski, the deputy commanding general for support of 25th Infantry Division, performed the reenlistment for Sgt. Efigenia Mitchell, a generator mechanic specialist with 209th Headquarters Support Company and native of Pomona, Calif., the 150th Soldier from her unit to reenlist in theater.

The Pomona native stated she wanted to finish her college degree and the numerous educational opportunities were the driving forces in her reenlistment. Mitchell also believed she would also advance in her leadership skills by continuous service in the Army.

"My aspiration is to be a excellent noncommissioned officer ... so the first step in doing that is by being an example to junior Soldiers," Mitchell concluded.

"Having NCOs make the choice they want to reenlist is a proves that NCOs are the backbone of the Army," Wiercinski said during the ceremony. "It's NCOs like Sgt. Mitchell whom the Army wants to have as Soldiers."

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