JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. — Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s career counselors attended an awards ceremony and were recognized for their dedication and efforts to maintain successful retention rates across America’s First Corps at the Carey Theater, Nov. 4, 2024, Joint Base Lewis -McChord Base, Washington.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, Commanding General of America’s First Corps, and Commander Sgt. Maj. Nema Mobarakzadeh, Command Sgt. America’s First Corps Major spoke on behalf of career counselors and expressed his gratitude for the impact of career counselors within the U.S. Army by presenting the award.

“Today, we recognize career counselors for their exceptional hard work every day, providing our Soldiers with the best opportunities to advance and grow in their careers,” McFarlane said. “Your contribution is what keeps the Army growing and advancing, and I thank you for that.”

Many career counselors have received awards for their tremendous retention rates in re-enlisting and stabilizing Soldiers across their brigades and battalions. Each career counselor was recognized for their mentorship and guidance in providing Soldiers with the best options to pursue their careers.

Career counselors from the 7th Infantry Division’s 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team received awards for achieving retention excellence, while the 555th Engineer Brigade completed its annual retention mission at 110%.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jasmin Ladson, career counselor assigned to 46th Aviation Support Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, has a 155% retention mission percentage of 133% for fiscal year 2024.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Edly Hyppolite, a preservation officer assigned to the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, received the Army Commendation Medal for being I Corps’ top preservation officer.

“Being an Army career counselor may be one of the best military occupational specialties. We understand that we serve a great purpose, and so do the Soldiers we reenlist,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Jeffrey Dyson, a career counselor assigned to 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 1-229 Assault Battalion. “The Soldiers who come to our office are creating the future of our Army and helping them “Providing the best options to fit their needs equates to mission readiness and the retention of the elite Soldiers who make up our Army.”

The ceremony also included the visit of Sergeant. Maj. Danielle Bridges, senior command career advisor for U.S. Forces Command. Bridges praised everyone for their commitment to increasing the population of the U.S. Army.

“First Corps became the first Corps to close out the entire assigned holding mission total, which was 115% of the regular Army,” Bridges said. “I thank everyone here for being outstanding career mentors and guiding our Soldiers on a path that will benefit their future.”

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