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Seabees Exceed Retention Goals, Earn Fleet Recognition

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081210-04
Release Date: 12/10/2008 8:41:00 AM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SCW/SW/AW) Steve Bansbach, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 Public Affairs

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (NNS) -- Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, currently on a six-month deployment, received the annual Commander, Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) Retention Excellence Award Nov. 26 for exceeding annual retention benchmarks.

During fiscal year 2008, 100 people reenlisted to 'Stay Navy,' marking the fifth time NMCB 4 has been awarded the 'Golden Anchor'.

In a message sent out to COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award winners, Adm. Robert F. Willard, commander Pacific Fleet, wrote, "Your dedication and commitment to career motivation and excellence not only exemplifies your superb performance, but also attests to your concern for the personal and professional needs of our Sailors. Every member of your command can be justifiably proud of this achievement."

To qualify for the Retention Excellence Award commands must, in the same fiscal year, make the retention honor roll, which is meeting or exceeding the chief of naval operations' (CNO's) retention goal, for a minimum of two quarters - or at the end of the fiscal year meet or exceed the CNO's goal. NMCB 4 did this for three of the four quarters missing the sweep by five percent.

"NMCB 4 is the best battalion in the naval construction force. People reenlist just to stay in this battalion," said NMCB 4's Command Master Chief, Austin Leedom.

NMCB 4's Command Career Counselor, Navy Counselor 1st Class (SCW/SW) Sandra Sanchez helps Seabees with their paperwork and guides them through the process of reenlisting or helps them with requirements for special programs.

"Winning this award means I did my job, and it is a big honor to win this. We did what the CNO wanted us to do, and that is retaining good Sailors."

Currently, NMCB 4 is at 68 percent for zone 'A', 50 percent for zone 'B' and 80 percent for zone 'C'.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb4/.