Retaining guard soldiers

Soldiers Magazine, Dec, 2004 by Bob Haskell

MSG Bob Cossel has heard his share of negative comments about how the Army National Guard will lose a large number of its Soldiers when they return from their deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the world.

But as the senior marketing NCO for the Army National Guard's Strength Maintenance Division, it's his job to help retain the National Guard force.

Cossel recently returned to National Guard headquarters in Northern Virginia after a short stint in Kuwait, where he was a spokesman for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, to explain re-employment rights to reserve-component Soldiers who have been deployed there for a year or more.

"The Army Guard doesn't have to take a hit in its numbers because of the global war on terrorism," Cossel said, "so long as the troops can be convinced that people care about them when they come home."

Keeping people who are already trained and who have already borne arms for their country is just as important as recruiting new blood, Cossel said. "We're pitching the Guard to people who are already in the Guard. If we take care of the people we already have, they'll bring us the new recruits we need."

That's key to keeping the Army Guard's strength at the congressionally mandated 350,000, Cossel said.

To that end, he's promoting the following four programs to entice Guard Soldiers to stay in:

* Freedom Salute Campaign;

* Home Front Heroes;

* American Hero Band; and

* Flag Patch Program.

The Freedom Salute Campaign has been in existence since December 2003. Home Front Heroes began in June. And the American Hero Band and Flag Patch initiatives started in September.

The programs recognize the Soldiers, their families, employers and others for their service and sacrifice, Cossel said.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest recognition endeavors in the Army Guard's history. It recognizes Guard Soldiers and thanks their spouses, children and employers, who have shown great support during operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, Guard officials said.

About 100,000 Guard Soldiers who have returned from active duty, and those who have supported them had been recognized by July 1, Cossel said.

"As our demobilizing Soldiers continue returning to their civilian lives, it is critical to their continued involvement in the Guard that they--as well as their families and employers--have a sense of how much they are valued by their nation, community and the Guard," said LTG Roger Schultz, director of the Army National Guard.

Each eligible Soldier receives an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from Schultz and CSM Frank Lever III, the Guard's enlisted advisor.

Each Soldier's spouse receives a lapel insignia, and the Soldiers' children are being given "Future Soldier" footlocker kits that include the "Daring Eagle" board game, "Mission Command" game, trading cards and a comic book.

Each eligible Soldier can also nominate one "center of influence" for outstanding support during his or her mobilization. Someone who was largely responsible for influencing the Soldier may be a supervisor, member of the clergy or a college guidance counselor. He or she can represent a charitable organization, a business or a school that supported the Soldier during a deployment.

More than 100 Soldiers in the District of Columbia Guard's 547th Transportation Company, their families and their centers of influence were honored during a Freedom Salute ceremony upon the unit's return alter a year of duty in Iraq.

The new Home Front Heroes program focuses on Soldiers' parents and other family members, and others who have supported the Soldier's deployments.

The American Hero Bands resemble the wristbands that some people still wear in honor of U.S. service members who are listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War.

"The new bands don't include name inscriptions, but they honor American heroes who are serving in the Army National Guard," Cossel said.

The bands are available through the National Guard to anyone who requests one, said Cossel.

The Flag Patch Program will likewise make thousands of American flag patches available to anyone who would like to sew a flag onto his or her apparel to show support for National Guard troops.

Additional information about these retention programs is available on the Army National Guard's Web site www.virtualarmory.com.

MSG Bob Haskell works for the National Guard Bureau Public Affairs Office and is a regular contributor to Soldiers magazine.