CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
The New Jersey Adjutant General's Mission Statement
Maintaining soldier strength is the number one priority of the New Jersey Army National Guard (NJARNG). Unit readiness and preparedness, hence mission accomplishment, are difficult to achieve if units do not maintain appropriate manning levels. First-Line Leaders (FLLs) and commanders at every level are responsible for retaining trained soldiers so the NJARNG can accomplish its assigned state and federal missions.
The intent of this document is not to suggest that commanders should coddle soldiers. In fact, surveys and unit climate profiles, which provide clear data on what our first-term soldiers think about the NJARNG, clearly indicate that they joined because they want and enjoy the discipline associated with the armed forces. However, discipline, like that administered to your children, goes hand in hand with caring for the soldier. To do both successfully requires skill, tools and training. Commanders, FLLs and Full-Time Support Force (FTSF) soldiers who do not possess this skill, use the tools or seek the training, have low retention rates in their units. This is unacceptable, and all leaders are responsible for fixing it.
The
Attrition Management/Strength Management Program
(for
the rest of this document referred to as "Program")
This program is designed to provide unit commanders with explicit tools to accomplish the strength management mission. It is not the only solution. Commanders at all levels must supplement this program with unit-specific initiatives and SOPs. Further, the guidance outlined in this program is NJARNG specific. This program does not repeat information provided in other documents. It supplements and enhances policy written at higher than state levels. Users of this program must be familiar with the "required" documents at Appendix B to be fully effective.
Use of this Program
This retention program is broken down into specific chapters. Each chapter is a stand-alone retention system. The intent of each system is fully explained in the chapter itself. However, Chapter 2 is the "meat" of this program. It provides specific tasks for which we have assigned ownership, by duty position, and that the NJARNG chain of command must accomplish. It is in a matrix format. Therefore, every soldier in an identified duty position must read and keep a copy of this program in their possession or personal library. It is a framework for the continuous application of the day-to-day requirement of caring for our soldiers and their needs. Chapter 2 also leads task owners (explained in para 2-1) to other chapters (or systems) in this program.
Design of this Program
This program was written with input from soldiers representing every Major Subordinate Command (MSC) in the NJARNG. We designed it in a Total Quality Management forum. It is a tool designed by users, for users. It is not a policy subject to selective compliance. This program is designed to fix responsibility for retention tasks on specific individuals instead of stating that "the commander is responsible for everything." This will preclude us from not knowing who is responsible for what as far as retaining our soldiers is concerned.
Administrative Instructions
Use of the pronouns he, him, and his are used throughout this program to prevent having to use he/she or him-his/her. This is not a reflection of any gender bias.
In this program, word use such as "will" and "must" means that The Adjutant General is directing that whatever is being discussed is not optional; it is an order. Word use such as "may," "can," "should" and "could" designate portions of the program that are left up to a commander's discretion, although highly encouraged.
Foreword
Chapter
2: Duties and Responsibilities
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