Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) received the Retention Excellence Award for outstanding retention during fiscal year 2018.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command initiated the Fleet Retention Excellence Program to recognize commands that sustain superior levels of retention, achieved through outstanding career management support, which leads to career satisfaction and is an obvious contributing factor in a Sailor’s desire to continue to serve in the Navy.  

There are 12 overall sections of assessment for the Retention Excellence Award that measure how well commands support their Sailors. The assessment includes support provided to Sailors who receive orders to the command through the time they transfer from the command. The command is even assessed on well they support veterans transitioning from their command and the military back into civilian life. 

The grading criteria is strict. The most lenient areas of assessment allow for only 15-10 percent of deficiency, while other areas are pass-or-fail or zero margin of deficiency.   

Earning the coveted Retention Excellence Award takes a team effort; however, Chief Navy Counselor Dominique Case was a key contributor in Kearsarge’s success. Case said the recipe for that success was simple.

“We had to make sure our program that we directly manage was good to go,” Case said about the efforts of the ship’s command career counselors office. “We also had to consistently make sure other programs, like command financial specialist, EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program), command sponsorship coordinator, and other career and family programs were also working well for us to be able to earn the award.”

Ships that have earned the Retention Excellence Award are easily recognized by their gold anchors, which is why the award is also known throughout the fleet as the "Golden Anchor Award." Upon notification of earning the award, ship’s crews are authorized to paint their standard Navy, haze-gray anchors gold as a symbol of pride for all to see.    

Kearsarge Command Master Chief Ricardo Moreyra said, “The Retention Excellence Award is significant because it means our command has been taking care of our people.” 

Moreyra added, “We are very proud of all of our Sailors. Kearsarge Sailors work hard and give their best effort every day. Today, though, we are extremely proud that our retention team’s efforts have been officially recognized with the Retention Excellence Award and are grateful for the support they have and will continue to provide to our Sailors.”

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