Clinic receives second consecutive Retention Excellence Award

The Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi Career Development Team proudly displayed the fiscal year 2017 Retention Excellence Award pennant at morning colors.

Capt. Miguel A. Cubano, NHCCC commanding officer, applauded their commitment to retention.

“I think that your efforts and your dedication are one of the reasons why we retain [Sailors],” said Cubano. “And one of things that is important is, if people want to stay it means that we are doing the right thing. It means that they feel not only they are a part of the team, but also that we are providing the opportunities for them to grow and to succeed. I think that’s the key for winning this award.”

NHC Corpus Christi has received this annual award two consecutive fiscal years.

Constant collaboration between command leadership and the Career Development Team were essential in retention success, despite the command’s career counselors not being officially rated as Navy Career Counselors.

Before turning over career counselor duties to HM2 David Butler in March, HM1 George Silva led the charge for the command to win both awards.

The Retention Excellence Award is given to commands which are effectively able to maintain outstanding retention and a marginal rate of attrition. To be eligible, commands must maintain a below five percent attrition rate for first term Sailors, sustain superior levels of retention for each reenlistment zone and achieve a number of benchmarks emphasizing career readiness standards.

Commands are also required to pass the annual Career Information Program Review with a score of 90 points or better.

Under Silva’s guidance both years, NHCCC passed the CIPR with scores of 95 and 98 points respectively.

Butler said that he plans to work diligently for the FY18 award because he promised Silva a higher score. And he is confident that the command will achieve a top rating, because he credits inspirational leadership as one of the keys in high retention sustainability.

“Keeping folks in the Navy is more difficult now when compared to years before. Retention tools, like a pension for instance, seem to be diminishing. Ultimately, the key is Sailors want to work for chiefs and officers that are strong and effective. And luckily for the Career Development Team, we have the type of leadership here in Corpus Christi worth emulating,” said Butler.

Besides leadership, a healthy command climate and quality mentorship figure in to higher retention numbers.

“It all starts with solid command sponsorship and indoctrination programs which are augmented by the [Naval Air Station Corpus Christi] Fleet and Family Support Center team. Captain Cubano also plays an important role in the Career Development Program,” said Butler, adding that although the CO naturally supports Sailors that decide to separate, he remains focused on high morale and retention of talented Sailors.

Seventeen members comprise the command’s Career Development Team: HM1 Robert Adkins, HM1 Raul Cervantes, HM1 Robyn Eastwood, HM1 Robert Lozano, HM1 George Silva, HM1 Channing Smith, HM1 Toan Tran, HM2 Misty Banks, HM2 David Butler, HM2 Alanna Gonzalez, HM2 Matthew Hart, HM2 Wilbert Kindle, HM2 Ryan Neuendorff, HM2 Florentino Ramirez, HM2 Ngasechele Ruluked, HM2 Adam Sanchez, and HM3 Mercedes Macintosh.