Across the U.S., state National Guard units are seeing dramatic reenlistment rates. For some, it’s a job that could become a 20-year career — and provide tuition assistance and job skills they'll always be able to use.
“Since March of 2020, we have had a significant increase in our retention rate,” says Army Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith, director of the joint staff for the New York National Guard. “We believe that it is because of the impact that our service members have made during this COVID pandemic.”
In the Iowa Air Guard, more than 90% have reenlisted, up a bit over the past several years. He said that as troops get close to their reenlistment dates, they are brought into his headquarters in groups. “We make sure that they’ve been asked to stay.” he said. “And make sure that they understand the benefits that they’re walking away from” including tuition assistance
In total, the Army Guard nationwide retained about 87% of its goal in 2019, and that increased to 102% in 2020, and 116% in 2021. Retention goals differ for each state and are set by the National Guard Bureau. Army Col. Christopher Martindale, chief of human resources for the Army National Guard, said the states’ goals have not been lowered and that leaders have been “more aggressive” as part of a broader campaign to keep troops.
According to totals released by the Guard Bureau, 14 states and others failed to make their 90% retention goals in 2019, but only two — Washington, D.C., and Virgin Islands — fell short in 2021. Virgin Islands had just 67 airmen last year, so losing only seven of them led to missing the goal. Nationwide, the Air Guard just made the 90% mission in 2019, but last year retained more than 93%.
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