text: Chapter 5
  required information to the commander. This is especially true for programs that require the commander’s
  signature for certification or authentication.
  SECTION II – RETENTION OPERATIONS
  5-7. The Army Retention Program plays a continuous role during military operations. This program ensures
  all Soldiers, regardless of the operation, have access to career counseling and retention processing. Army
  career counseling is the fundamental element of the Army Retention Program, which provides commanders
  the internal command climate knowledge needed to adjust their individual retention programs to ensure they
  meet the needs of Soldiers and families without jeopardizing the manning requirements necessary to provide
  for the defense of the Nation. Army retention affects unit strength.
  5-8. Commanders are the retention officers for their respective commands and command sergeant majors
  are the senior retention NCOs for their units. To be truly effective, the Army Retention Program requires
  enthusiastic command involvement and dedicated expert advice to retain high quality Soldiers. Retaining
  quality Soldiers certified in competence, character, and commitment ensures the stability of the Army’s future
  force.
  5-9. While unit commanders and leaders are ultimately responsible for retaining Soldiers at their level,
  career counselors located at battalion and above organizations are technical experts charged with advising
  commanders on all aspects of the Army Retention Program. Career counselors, due to their advisory role to
  the commander, are on his/her special staff. They also determine retention eligibility, retention options, and
  assist with eligibility for special commissioning programs consistent with published regulations and DA
  directives. See AR 601-280 for specific information on the Army Retention Program.
  CAREER COUNSELOR’S ROLE IN PREPARATION FOR
  DEPLOYMENT
  5-10. The Army Retention Program is the long-term answer for maintaining end strength. At the center of
  this program is the career counselor. Retention operations are functions conducted at home station and during
  military operations. While career counselors are not table of organization and equipment assets in most
  organizations, they play an important role not only during pre-deployment, but during deployment as well.
  Unit leaders need to ensure career counselors are included as part of the deployment force and included in
  operational orders and contingency plans. Retention operations should be included in unit SOPs.
  5-11. At home stations, career counselors accomplish unit specific retention missions consistent with goals
  of the Army Retention Program. While deployed, career counselors continue to implement the Army
  Retention Program through reenlistment and other retention initiatives. Stop-movement efforts do not
  eliminate the requirement for career counselors to deploy. It is only a temporary tool used to maintain Army
  end strength.
  5-12. During deployments, unit commanders need to ensure adequate career counselor support is available
  to rear detachment or non-deployed personnel. This is accomplished via a memorandum of understanding or
  agreement between units or with the post retention office.
  5-13. When planning for deployment operations, career counselors must conduct the following actions:
  * Screen all Soldier records not serving on indefinite status to ensure records are entered in the
  Reenlistment, Reclassification, and Assignment System, and complete a DA Form 4591
  (Retention Counseling Record) for all non-indefinite status Soldiers with a current enlisted records
  brief.
  * Coordinate with the battalion or brigade S-6 for telephone and network connectivity into required
  databases and automated systems.
  * Obtain sufficient office equipment and supplies (for example, laptop computer, appropriate
  software, scanner, printer, digital sender, U.S. flag, storage containers, necessary forms, and digital
  camera).