Shaping the Force: 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) Hosts Annual Retention Competition

1st Special Forces Command (Airborne):

"FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Career counselors and retention NCOs from across 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) gathered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Nov. 2-5, 2026, for the fiscal year 2027 Retention Competition.

Representatives from six subordinate units: 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne), competed in the Best Senior Competition, Career Counselor of the Year Competition and Retention NCO of the Year Competition categories.

“I am very excited to see our career counselors come out to compete in this competition, going above and beyond what their peers are doing,” said Sgt. Maj. Gwen VanEtten, command career counselor for 1st SFC (A). “Everything they are tested on is their fundamental basics as a career counselor, but how they figure out the answers without all of the information is really what we’re testing and looking for.”

The competition included the Army Fitness Test, a mystery event, a written exam and an appearance before a panel of sergeants major. The events challenged competitors technically, physically and mentally while evaluating their ability to lead, collaborate and solve problems under pressure.

“I am excited to be participating in the Retention Competition this year,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Rowe during the competition, a career counselor assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th SFG (A). “I’m competing against some of the best career counselors in U.S. Army Special Operations Command and testing our skills and effort to see who comes out on top.”

Career counselors and retention NCOs do more than re-enlist soldiers. They help soldiers navigate career paths and opportunities, support soldiers and their families, and prepare them for future assignments.

“Within 1st SFC (A), there is a ton of expertise that takes several years to build up,” VanEtten said. “The career counselors can help command teams understand where the talent lies so we can help them retain as many talented people as possible. This also shapes our future capability to the joint force.”

At the conclusion of the competition, Master Sgt. Terry Lemon, assigned to 3rd SFG (A), won the Best Senior Competition. Staff Sgt. Tyler Stafford, assigned to 4th POG (A), won the Career Counselor of the Year Competition. Sgt. Trinity Theno, assigned to 3rd SFG (A), won Retention NCO of the Year. Sgt. 1st Class Robert Rowe, assigned to 10th SFG (A), won Iron Soldier.

Lemon and Stafford will advance to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command-level competition in February 2027."