101st Airborne Division achieves highest reenlistments for active-duty division
By Spc. Jeanine Kinville
July 5, 2006
TIKRIT, Iraq (Army News Service, July 5, 2006) – Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky., currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, have exceeded the retention goal for the 2006 fiscal year three months before its end. They have achieved the highest number of reenlistments for any active-duty division in the Army.
More than $60 million in reenlistment bonuses have been awarded to approximately 4,600 Soldiers, said Sgt. Maj. Steven Sabinash, 101st command career counselor. The fiscal year goals for initial-term, mid-career and career-level Soldiers continue to surpass the mission goal each day.
“One out of every four Soldiers deployed have reenlisted so far,” Sabinash said. “Approximately 61.5 percent of those Soldiers have chosen to stabilize with the 101st, which exceeds the average 30 percent a division usually retains.”
The division’s Screaming Eagles are still reenlisting at a steady rate while deployed, and have helped the division reach an important milestone set forth by the Army.
“Our retention numbers are a true indicator of the professionalism of our division and the desire of our troopers to reengage our enemies in future operations,” said 101st Division Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe.
As the mission in Iraq continues until the 101st redeploys in the fall, Sabinash expects more Soldiers to take advantage of the tax-free bonus and career opportunities at Fort Campbell.
“Retention is a direct reflection of the leadership deployed in that unit,” Sabinash said. “The numbers speak for themselves as a sign of Soldiers believing in what they are doing here and believing in their leadership.”
(Editor’s note: Spc. Jeanine Kinville writes for the 101st Airborne Division Public Affairs Office.)
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