Retention New Jersey Style: How You Can Retain Soldiers: Chapter 3: Soldier

CHAPTER 3: SOLDIER SPONSORSHIP

Intent

The Sponsorship Program is designed to allow for the proper assimilation of a new soldier into a NJARNG unit. Sponsorship is more than the administrative requirements set forth in this chapter. It is a program to welcome and show a new soldier that he has joined a team that cares for him and wants him to be a proud member of the unit family. A well-orchestrated Sponsorship Program provides a positive first impression of the unit, its leaders, and the NJARNG.

NJDMAVA 1315 Series Forms

("R" Forms are Reproducible)

NJDMAVA Form 1315, Career Counseling Card (see Chapter 4).
NJDMAVA Form 1315-1, New Enlistment Notification (see Figure 3-1).
NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R, Sponsorship Program Checklist (see Figure 3-2 and Appendix A).
NJDMAVA Form 1315-3, New Soldier's Responsibility Checklist (see Figure 3-3).
NJDMAVA Form 1315-4-R, Sponsorship Log (see Figure 3-4 and Appendix A).

Duties and Responsibilities

The following task owners will:

RRM. Provide a training POI for the Sponsorship Program (see Chapter 8).

1SG

Be responsible for the unit's Sponsorship Program.
Appoint a sponsor for each new unit soldier (new soldiers include NPS, PS, IST, ISR, RCT and NJARNG intra-unit transfers).
Track completion of sponsorship process by utilizing the ADURNCO's NJDMAVA Form 1315-4-R, Sponsorship Log.
Train unit sponsors as part of the NCODP program (see Chapter 8).

FTSR&RNCO, FTSS, FTS Unit Readiness, Training, and Supply NCO, Unit Administrative Specialist, FLL and ADURNCO all have specific responsibilities as task owners. These are clearly annotated on the NJDMAVA Form 1315 series forms. Further, the responsibility for task completion is supplemented below. The flow, use, description and pictures of these forms are at Figures 3-1 through 3-4. The reproducible NJDMAVA 1315-R series forms are also included at Appendix A.

The following owners will:

FTSR&RNCO

Complete the five-part NJDMAVA Form 1315-1 and make proper distribution; the key element of this process is ensuring an in-person handoff of the new soldier to either the FTSF (weekdays) or the unit leadership (on drill weekends).
Provide sponsorship training to units as per Chapter 8.
Advise commander of shortcomings after evaluating FTS cooperation on soldier handoff.
Evaluate unit Sponsorship Program and provide findings to 1SG.

FTSS. Ensure all new soldiers are properly greeted at their new unit. The philosophy the FTSS will adopt and enforce is that nothing is more important or has a higher priority than welcoming the new soldier on his first meeting with the unit.

FTS Readiness NCO

Make time for the new soldier and begin sponsorship by initiating NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R.
Coordinate an appropriate time to receive the new soldier from the recruiter. The time should be mutually conducive to allowing everyone to complete their routine duties. The first priority must be the convenience of the new soldier as he is our most important and expensive resource.
If the supply sergeant is not available, take the soldier's size and order his uniforms for wear on the new soldier's first drill.

FTS Training NCO. Complete the requirements of NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R.

Supply NCO. Follow the requirements of the NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R. Take the soldier's sizes, order his uniforms and pick them up for wear on the new soldier's first drill.

FTS Administrative Specialist. Complete the requirements of NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R.

FLL. Ensure he cares for the new soldier entrusted to him as a leader. This position has the least requirements on the NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R. However, the FLL has, by far, the greatest responsibility to the new soldier and his proper handling. The FLL must uphold the military tenants of trust, discipline, courtesy, honor and duty by taking care of his soldiers. The FLL has overall responsibility to report to the 1SG if any of the other sponsorship players do not perform their tasks to an acceptable and caring standard. Of course, this same level of responsibility extends beyond sponsorship and throughout the FLL and soldier's career.

ADURNCO

Track the Sponsorship Program for the 1SG on NJDMAVA Form 1315-4-R and complete the requirements of NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R.
Explain to the new soldier all the features and benefits of the NJARNG as per the Features and Benefits Binder.
Assist the sponsor and new soldier with applying for, and/or obtaining, any of our features and benefits.

The sponsor must accompany the soldier through completion of the sponsorship process. Even if a soldier drills straight through the sponsorship process, it may take several months to complete the program. The sponsor must provide the soldier a continuous link until the program is complete and the soldier is comfortable with his new unit and surroundings. Under no circumstances will the sponsor allow a new soldier to be left on his own without guidance and direction. If a soldier is a split training option (STO) enrollee, maintain contact with soldier to ensure he meets his drill and Active Duty Training (ADT) requirements; continue sponsorship upon a soldier's return to the unit or until the program is complete.

The soldier must complete the requirements of NJDMAVA Form 1315-3. The commander, 1SG, FTSF, ADURNCO and/or sponsor must all ensure that the soldier completes and understands the requirements and expectations of the form and the NJARNG.

Sponsor selection criteria; the sponsor:

Should be the new soldier's FLL. This will ensure that the FLL takes an active role in a new soldier's orientation. It will also establish the authority of this NCO or team leader.
Will be in the same Career Management Field (CMF) and should have the same MOS.
Will be a unit member for at least one year.
Will not have a history of unauthorized absences.
Must be a motivated and model soldier.
Must not be flagged for APFT or weight control.
Must be in the same section/squad/unit.
Must be sponsor-trained as per Chapter 8.
Must be available for the duration of the sponsorship process.

Duration of the Sponsorship Program for a Soldier

The program will last until the Sponsorship Program Checklist (NJDMAVA Form 1315-2-R) and the New Soldier Responsibility Checklist (NJDMAVA 1315-3) are complete and the 1SG feels the soldier no longer requires a sponsor.