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Golden Anchor for USS Rentz

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120307-16
3/7/2012

By Lt. Gillian Medina, Naval Surface Forces Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Guided-missile frigate USS Rentz (FFG 46) was awarded its first Retention Excellence Award since 2007 by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Feb. 21.

There are numerous changes on a daily basis when it comes to career planning for enlisted Sailors. Career development processes and programs can be overwhelming, but according to Rentz' Command Senior Chief, a good command career counselor can make the difference between success and failure in a young Sailor's career. He believes his Sailors are served well by their career counselor, Navy Counselor1st Class John Davis.

"Petty Officer Davis is a fantastic career counselor," said Command Senior Chief Jon Crisafulli. "Managing our program is a monumental task and his hands-on, daily interaction with the crew brings it all together. It is up to our shipmates to responsibly manage their own careers, but Davis provides the tools necessary to keep the decision to stay Navy in the Sailor's hands."

Deployment can take career management and turn even the best run program into chaos.

"Connectivity was best in the early hours, so I would stay up all night and enter Career Development Board minutes into the Career Information Management System (CIMS)," said Davis.

"I reported on board right before we left and had 100 percent contact with the entire crew within the first two months of deployment."

Every ship faces retention challenges. One of the biggest is the stress of frequent separation placed on Sailors and their families. Rentz has deployed twice in the last two years, including an eight-month deployment to 5th Fleet. One indication of a successful command career counselor is when despite the intense operational tempo, Sailors continue to reenlist.

"I had an approved 'early out,' but I changed my mind and submitted a request to cancel it and stay Navy," said Boatswains Mate Seaman Felix Espino. "Things are moving in a positive direction on board; I feel like we are all working together towards a goal and seeing the results."

Part of seeing those results is an aggressive approach to screening and scheduling Sailors for schools.

"Seeing the round turn that was taken on making schools available to the crew was one of the reasons I changed my mind," added Espino. "I'm scheduled to attend Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training and I can't wait."

"The 'Golden Anchor' award is a validation of the team atmosphere that we try to foster aboard Rentz," said Rentz Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Mike Davis. "Everyone is committed to doing the right thing and taking care of each other and it shows in our everyday environment; I couldn't be prouder of their efforts. They have truly made Rentz a great place to be and for me personally, a great place to lead."

The award is presented to ships that meet or exceed the retention benchmarks of 100 percent on-time Perform to Serve submissions; 100 percent professional apprentice career track Sailors; score of 85 or higher on annual career information program review and a Zone A attrition not exceeding 5.0. Rentz scored a 96 on her annual career information program review and her Zone A attrition is an exceptional 2.2 percent.

Rentz recently returned from a six-month deployment in support of counter-narcotics operations in the 4th Fleet area of operations. While deployed, the command career counselor conducted more than 200 Career Development Boards.