Interactive Retention Training
Soldier Empowerment And Readiness

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The Challenge

Over a quarter of new enlistees in the Army National Guard drop out, most while waiting for Basic Combat Training. Studies have shown that lack of physical readiness, administrative obstacles, and fear of the unknown are among the greatest reasons for the attrition. With the recent heightened demand for National Guard troops in international conflicts and homeland security, the Guard had to quickly address these issues at their roots.

The Solution

Mind & Media created SEAR—Soldier Empowerment And Readiness—over 100 hours of interactive classroom-based instruction designed to eliminate the element of surprise and teach recruits everything they need to know to succeed at basic training. Mind & Media:

• Developed 33 lesson plans incorporating real-world practical information, instructor guidelines, handouts, discussion questions, and exercises
• Created high-speed multimedia presentations that 17- to 20-year-old recruits can relate to, including reality TV-style clips and montages of young Guard personnel
• Designed a striking new brand to convey a hip but intense warrior ethos

The Results

Winner of nine industry awards for communication excellence, SEAR has been rolled out to 65,000 new recruits across the US. By reaching recruits early in their careers, the program is inspiring young enlistees and instilling in them the values and skills essential to their success as soldiers. The resulting reduced loss rates will not only help cut back on the high costs of enlisting new replacement soldiers; it will also keep soldiers in boots and ready to tackle vital missions in the US and around the world.