More Sailors Are Reenlisting. Leaders Say It's Because Navy Culture Is Changing

The Navy is moving away from the "suck it up, buttercup"-style culture of the past to appeal to the millennial generation and beyond -- and new retention numbers indicate the approach is likely working.

The service blasted past its 2019 retention goals for enlisted sailors in their first 10 years in uniform. It held onto nearly 65% of Zone A sailors or those with less than six years in. And 72% of Zone B sailors -- those with six to 10 years in -- re-upped.

The Navy set out to keep at least 55% of sailors in Zone A and 65% of those in Zone B. When combined with Zone C sailors, those who've been in the service for 10 to 14 years, the 2019 reenlistment rate was 74% across the three zones.

Fleet Master Chief Wes Koshoffer, with Navy Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education, told reporters the high re-up rates are a result of an ongoing culture shift in the Navy. Leaders are listening to rank-and-file sailors, he said, and the Navy is focused on developing policies based on what's easier for the individual and their family.

"When I was a very, very young sailor in the Navy, facing a particularly challenging ... family situation, the moniker was, 'Family didn't come in your seabag, shipmate. We need you,'" Koshoffer said. "That is no longer our mantra."

National Guard Has No Plans to Investigate Leaked Photos of Troops in Parking Garage

While National Guard leaders are reminding their troops to run problems up their chains of command before going public, they don't plan to investigate who sent photos to media outlets last week showing dozens of troops resting on the floor of a parking garage, Maj. Gen. William Walker, commander of the District of Columbia National Guard, said on Monday.

Those photos resulted in a flurry of news reports and outcry from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who demanded that Guard members be allowed to return to the U.S. Capitol for their breaks.

"Three- or four-star generals and command sergeant majors have been out walking and talking to guardsmen," Walker said. "... If you had a problem with the break area, let someone in command know and we'll fix it. But there is no investigation."

Photos were sent to Politico, 'TELL IT LIKE IT IS' and Task and Purpose the day after President Joe Biden's Jan. 20 inauguration. Nearly 26,000 Guard members from every state were sent into Washington, D.C. in recent weeks due to a breach of the Capitol by a violent mob on Jan. 6.

Alabama Softball Enters 2021 Season Ranked No. 8

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama enters the 2021 season ranked eighth in the NFCA, USA Softball, and D1 Softball preseason polls.

Alabama finished the shortened 2020 season ranked No. 10 in the NFCA poll, 11 in D1 Softball, and 13 in USA Softball. The Crimson Tide also placed 12th in the final Softball America poll, which releases its preseason rankings next week. Seventeen players return from last year's squad, including all seven of Alabama's 2020 seniors, along with five newcomers.

This year's schedule features 22 games against 10 teams that appear in the preseason top 25 rankings, including Arizona (3), LSU (5), Texas (6), Florida (7), Louisiana (9), Kentucky (13), Georgia (14), Arkansas (18), Mississippi State (20) and Tennessee (23).

Alabama kicks off its 2021 schedule Feb. 12-14 in Austin, Texas at the Texas Classic, playing Colorado State, No. 6 Texas, and No. 3 Arizona.

LSU at Auburn Gymnastics Meet Postponed

AUBURN, Ala. – The gymnastics meet between LSU and Auburn, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29 in Auburn Arena, has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing within the LSU program.

The action is consistent with COVID-19 management requirements developed by the SEC's Medical Guidance Task Force.

The opportunity to reschedule the meet will be evaluated. Fans with tickets for Friday's meet may use them for the rescheduled contest.

Auburn's next meet is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12 at Missouri. The two Tiger teams will face off at 8 p.m. CT in Columbia, Mo., on SEC Network.

Auburn University at Montgomery Brewster’s Big Night Snubbed by Wolves in Conference Action

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Auburn University at Montgomery women's basketball junior guard Jordan Brewster scored a season-high 24 points in AUM's 64-54 loss to Gulf South Conference foe West Georgia on Tuesday night.