Photo By Maj. Sean Delpech | Army squad leaders participating in working groups for the 'Not In My Squad'...... read more read more
Courtesy story by Command Sgt. Maj. Sonja A. Brewer.
WASHINGTON - Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Christopher O. Loring is one of a handful of Soldiers who can say that they were promoted by the Sergeant Major of the Army.
The senior human resources Non-Commissioned Officer assigned to the 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), got the opportunity after he was selected to serve on Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey’s 'Not in My Squad' (NIMS) initiative, Oct. 13.
'Not in My Squad' was introduced by Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey in June 2015. It focuses on leaders from the top down to the unit level. It is meant to be a true grass-roots initiative for empowering noncommissioned officers to take responsibility and focus on issues ranging from training, physical fitness, sexual assault and harassment, and leadership.
The initiative originated in a discussion group meant to address sexual assault and harassment at West Point. During the discussion, the cadets themselves recognized sexual assault and other issues as problems within their organization. The NIMS initiative evolved from that discussion group, focusing on respect and inclusion to affect change.
In the NIMS initiative, Soldiers are encouraged to use the Army’s new website, “Not In My Squad Assessment Resource,” an online resource designed to improve junior leaders’ professional development. The online resource focuses on the shared identity of trusted Army professionals, Standards and discipline, increasing a professional climate, and building the esprit de corps within units.
Loring and the other 31 NIMS squad members traveled to Washington D.C. where they participated in working groups that included three sessions which focused on Identity, as well as Climate and Culture.
The group answered questions from congressmen and women at the U. S. capital on awards and congressional inquiries and how they planned to respond through leadership to challenges existing in the Army today, according to Loring.
“We got the opportunity to work in small groups and discuss how to improve our forces from the ground up,” Loring said.
Each working group culminated with a back brief to the SMA, followed by a tour and light meal at the SMA’s quarters then a morning run through Washington D.C. The group also attended the Twilight Tattoo hosted by the Army CIO/G-6.
During the event, Loring interacted with some of the most squared away NCOs across the Army.
He most appreciated the teamwork and the SMA’s trust in the noncommissioned officers to own it. “It lets you know that the Army still believes in the backbone of the Army,” said Loring.
On 13 October Loring addressed the SMA’s Professional Development forum, then promoted Loring.
“I promise to live my Army Values, creed of the Non-commissioned Officer, and uphold the Non-commissioned Officer Corps,” Loring said, thanking those who influenced his career.
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.16.2015 11:48 |
| Story ID: | 184675 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Hometown: | INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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