Hold; Griffin Soldier Career Support | Article

Retention plays a key role in shaping Soldiers’ career trajectories, offering essential guidance and support as Soldiers navigate their way through the military. These dedicated professionals aren’t just focused on retaining talented people within their ranks; they are officially called 79S Career Advisors, providing Soldiers with valuable opportunities for their future. Their expertise ensures that Soldiers have the tools and knowledge needed to make the best decisions for their careers, which ultimately increases job satisfaction and longevity of Army careers.

Whether a soldier wishes to continue his career as a military police officer or explore new opportunities in the military, Retention can help him make informed decisions that align with his personal and professional goals. As the Army’s structure changes, some MOS become priorities for growth and may have incentives including promotions and bonuses.

“The Army defines certain MOS for growth,” said Master Sgt. Ayla Papp, senior career consultant for the 89th Military Police Brigade, said in a statement. “These MOS are positions where the Army wants Soldiers to focus on reclassification and could benefit from moving to the next level. Sometimes these incentives can be automatic upon completion of the Advanced Individual Training (AIT) program, as well as bonuses of up to $90,000.”

Achieving retention goals is challenging; however, Papp is here to provide opportunities for Soldiers and provide career advancement solutions to people in need of help.

“My ultimate goal is to get to the point where I can align the wants, needs and desires of the Soldier with the needs of the Army,” Papp said. “We have too many opportunities in the military for anyone to be dissatisfied with their career or life situation. There are over 200 job openings that we can explore together and find the right Soldiers to continue their Army careers.”

For those hesitant about finding and starting a new job in the Army, Papp also provides confidence in a form of Soldier Training that allows them to see the new MOS firsthand.

“If a Soldier is interested in seeing the day-to-day events of a new MOS, we have the ability to coordinate with the units that share that MOS,” Papp said. “We want Soldiers to dive into the MOS system they are interested in and see if they like it before going through the administrative process of reclassification.”

With the help of Retention Cpl. Dalton Lee of the 410th Military Police Company, 720th Military Police Battalion was able to find a job that suited him perfectly – in counterintelligence. After serving as a military police officer for two years, Lee was ready to find a new job as his Army career continued.

“After seven months of serving on the U.S.-Mexico border, I knew I wanted to find a humanitarian-focused job,” Lee said. “I was interested in a job that would teach me the skills needed to work in humanitarian settings such as human trafficking or terrorism.”

Lee took advantage of the retention and knew he wanted to learn more about becoming a 35L counterintelligence agent.

“I visited the detention department with counterintelligence in mind, and fortunately the job was available,” Lee said. “I was pointed in the right direction, provided with a website to apply for, and received outstanding support and guidance throughout the process of creating my package. Retention also allowed me to receive a bonus when I re-enrolled for another 4 years.”

“Rebuilding can be scary,” Papp said. “However, if you are looking for a new job, we can give you access to many different positions in other areas. I encourage those who need help to come to Retention and discover all the opportunities that can light the fire for a successful and fulfilling military career.”

Knowledgeable retention professionals are committed to helping Soldiers navigate new job opportunities and providing the best information Soldiers need to make career choices. By creating a supportive environment and offering personalized guidance, these professionals play a critical role in increasing individual Soldiers’ job satisfaction.