Three JAG community commands were selected for the Fiscal Year 2018 Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education (MPT&E) Retention Excellence Award: Three JAG community commands were selected for the Fiscal Year 2018 Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education (MPT&E) Retention Excellence Award:

• Defense Service Office (DSO) North
• DSO Southeast
• Region Legal Service Office (RLSO) Northwest

The annual MPT&E Retention Excellence Award recognizes superior execution of retention and career development programs and policies that enable Sailors to succeed in their Navy careers. To qualify for the award, commands must achieve a minimum score of 90 points on their annual command career information program review. “DSO North is tremendously honored and proud to receive this award signifying highest commitment to the professional development and career progression of our enlisted shipmates,” said commanding officer Capt. Andrew House. “Complete credit for the award goes to Chief Legalman Cheryl Elliott, who has devoted herself to her duties as our Command Career Counselor and strives daily to make sure each DSO North enlisted Sailor receives the attention, resources and support they deserve to continue building their futures and thereby guaranteeing ours. Bravo Zulu, Chief Elliott!” [caption id="attachment_18382" align="alignleft" width="300"] The annual MPT&E Retention Excellence Award recognizes superior execution of retention and career development programs and policies that enable Sailors to succeed in their Navy careers. To qualify for the award, commands must achieve a minimum score of 90 points on their annual command career information program review. “DSO North is tremendously honored and proud to receive this award signifying highest commitment to the professional development and career progression of our enlisted shipmates,” said commanding officer Capt. Andrew House. “Complete credit for the award goes to Chief Legalman Cheryl Elliott, who has devoted herself to her duties as our Command Career Counselor and strives daily to make sure each DSO North enlisted Sailor receives the attention, resources and support they deserve to continue building their futures and thereby guaranteeing ours. Bravo Zulu, Chief Elliott!” [caption id="attachment_18382" align="alignleft" width="300"] The DSO North team snaps a photo with its MPT&E Retention Excellence Award pennant. Each command was evaluated on program aspects such as how the command accomplishes the career development program and team and board requirements; leadership engagement; advancement statistics; continuing education support through programs such as tuition assistance; training and how Sailors learn about career development opportunities; success workshops; family readiness; sponsor and indoctrination programs; and career counseling. “As a command where the large majority of our Sailors arrive via limited duty or pregnancy orders, often seeking to exit the naval service, we are very proud to receive this award,” said DSO Southeast commanding officer Capt. Art Blum. “It is a testament to the hard work of our command career counselor, Legalman 1st Class Phillip Farris, who ensures all of our Sailors have what they need to succeed. It also reflects positively on every member of the command inasmuch as they all contribute to the strong sense of joy and pride in our service to our Navy, our clients and each other.” The JAG community – and the wider Navy – is aggressively competing for talent as our nation’s economy flourishes. These commands successfully implemented and maintained the four key programs that form the foundation of a successful retention effort. Each command was evaluated on program aspects such as how the command accomplishes the career development program and team and board requirements; leadership engagement; advancement statistics; continuing education support through programs such as tuition assistance; training and how Sailors learn about career development opportunities; success workshops; family readiness; sponsor and indoctrination programs; and career counseling. “As a command where the large majority of our Sailors arrive via limited duty or pregnancy orders, often seeking to exit the naval service, we are very proud to receive this award,” said DSO Southeast commanding officer Capt. Art Blum. “It is a testament to the hard work of our command career counselor, Legalman 1st Class Phillip Farris, who ensures all of our Sailors have what they need to succeed. It also reflects positively on every member of the command inasmuch as they all contribute to the strong sense of joy and pride in our service to our Navy, our clients and each other.” The JAG community – and the wider Navy – is aggressively competing for talent as our nation’s economy flourishes. These commands successfully implemented and maintained the four key programs that form the foundation of a successful retention effort.