Unit Sponsorship Program

An effective sponsorship program will expedite the orientation and integration of new soldiers into the unit. Institutionalizing sponsorship is the best method to ensure new soldiers start their ARNG career on the right foot, make them feel they are an important part of their team and enhance the productivity of the unit. The attrition management goal of your sponsorship program is to reduce losses among soldiers in their first term of enlistment. Sponsorship can position new soldiers to ship to and graduate from BCT/AIT, return to function as a qualified team member, serve the length of their contract and extend their enlistment.

Guidelines for a successful sponsorship program include:

Objective:

To effectively assimilate new soldiers into their unit of assignment and specifically into their squad or section. If first line leaders are responsible to sponsor new soldiers assigned to their squad or sections, they will establish their authority with the new team member.

Application:

Commanders are responsible to develop and implement the unit's sponsorship program. The NCO support channel and the unit RRNCO can provide technical support and coordinate the implementing actions.

Sponsor selection:

The first sergeant is responsible to assign the new soldier a sponsor immediately upon enlistment or assignment to the unit. The sponsor should be the new soldier's first line leader; if this is not possible, as a minimum the sponsor should be from the new soldier's squad or section.

Administration:

The first sergeant is responsible for the administration of the sponsorship program. These duties include ensuring the sponsor completes the actions on the unit sponsorship checklist in a timely manner and with the highest degree of quality.

Training:

The entire NCO Corps should receive training on the sponsorship program during an NCODP. The training will include the goals of the program and the duties and responsibilities of the sponsor.

Helpful hints:

The unit RRNCO can provide you with a sample checklist. Sponsorship must be one of the best programs in the unit and run by your best NCOs. Your NCOs are the key to a successful program.

Sponsorship Checklist:

For use of the Sponsorship Checklist, see NGR 601-2, Chapter 4, Section VI. This information will help you develop a dynamic sponsorship.