ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
 
ROUTINE       
 
R 100204Z FEB 01 ZYB MIN PSN 717258J30
 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
 
TO NAVADMIN
 
UNCLAS
NAVADMIN 028/01
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/N1//
 
SUBJ/CCD RETENTION BEST PRACTICES FROM THE FLEET - NUMBER ONE//
 
RMKS/1.  THIS IS THE FIRST IN A RECURRING SERIES OF MESSAGES DESIGNED
TO ADDRESS RETENTION AND ATTRITION BEST PRACTICES AS WELL AS
OUTLINE OUR NAVY STRATEGY IN RETAINING OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST
PEOPLE.
 
2.  THE CENTER FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT (CCD) IS CONDUCTING
RETENTION "BEST PRACTICES" BRIEFINGS DURING COMMAND VISITS
AND RETENTION SUMMITS TO THE FLEET.  THESE BRIEFINGS ARE
DESIGNED TO SHARE IDEAS AND PRACTICES DEVELOPED BY COMMANDS WHICH
HAVE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED ATTRITION WHILE INCREASING RETENTION.
WE HAVE FOUND THAT COMMANDS WHICH IMPLEMENT BEST PRACTICES AND LIVE
BY PRECEPTS EACH AND EVERY DAY ACHIEVE THE GREATEST RESULTS, WHILE
PART-TIME OR PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION YIELD COMMENSURATE RESULTS.
 
3.  THE FOLLOWING LIST OF BEST PRACTICES ARE IDEAS FROM THE FLEET
PERSPECTIVE AND ARE PROVIDED TO BENEFIT YOUR RETENTION TEAM:
    A.  PROMOTE RETENTION TEAM INTERACTION AMONG CO/XO, CMC/CCC,
DH/LCPO/CPO AND OMBUDSMAN.  ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION AND COMMUNICATE
OFTEN, PROVIDING ACCURATE DETAILS WHILE EXERCISING COVENANT
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.
    B.  COMMANDING OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PERIODICALLY
PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOARDS.  IN SOME CASES, CO
COULD RECOMMEND IMMEDIATE APPROVAL OF THE SAILOR'S PLAN OF ACTION, AS
THIS DELIVERS A STRONG STATEMENT TO THE ENTIRE CREW THAT PERSONAL
DESIRES ARE IMPORTANT AND ARE BEING CONSIDERED.
    C.  COMMANDING OFFICERS SHOULD MAKE PERSONAL CONTACT WITH
MEMBERS WHO ARE TENTATIVE IN THEIR CAREER DECISIONS.  A WELL-TIMED
PHONE CALL OR OFFICE CALL FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER HAS REPEATEDLY
PROVEN SUCCESSFUL IN RETAINING OUR BEST, AND/OR WELCOMING BACK THOSE
WHO CHOSE TO LEAVE OUR NAVAL SERVICE.
    D.  DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE "POWER OF THE PEN."  A PERSONAL
LETTER OR NOTE FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER TO A SPOUSE OR PARENT OF
A SAILOR WHO IS STILL UNDECIDED ABOUT A CAREER CHOICE CAN BE THE
DECIDING FACTOR WHICH MAY INFLUENCE THE SAILOR TO STAY IN SERVICE.
THIS WILL ENHANCE THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COMMAND
AND THE SPOUSES AND/OR PARENTS.
    E.  BE THE FIRST TO INITIATE A REQUEST CHIT, PUSHING THE
CHIT DOWN THE COC AND LEAVING IT UP TO THE SAILOR TO APPROVE --
USE SPARINGLY AND ONLY FOR YOUR BEST SAILORS!
 
4.  IT IS CLEAR THAT ADMIRAL NATTER'S COMMENTS IN A RECENT ALLANTFLT
MESSAGE ARE WELL FOUNDED IN THAT, "THE LEVEL OF SUCCESS OF YOUR
RETENTION EFFORT IS DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL TO THE LEVEL OF PERSONAL
INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER."  WE NEED YOU TO MAINTAIN THE
FULL-COURT PRESS ON RETAINING OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE . . . OUR
SAILORS!
 
5.  POC IS CAPT JAKE ROSS, (901) 874-2201/DSN 882, E-MAIL:
P00R@PERSNET.NAVY.MIL.
 
6.  RELEASED BY VADM NORB RYAN, JR., N1.//
 
BT