SMA sets the example in Italy

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Lance Pounds | U.S. Army’s most senior enlisted leader, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey, discusses his initiatives with senior enlisted leaders of the tenant units located in the Vicenza, Italy area, Nov. 17, 2016 at the post theater on Caserma Ederle. Dailey’s initiatives included: Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Schools, talent management, stewardship of the profession, and the American’s perception of the Army in comparison to other services. Dailey opened the room for questions at the conclusion of his presentation. (U.S. Army Africa photo by: Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)  

VICENZA, ITALY

11.21.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds 

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy – The 15th Sergeant Major of the Army visited Soldiers and senior enlisted leaders, assigned to U.S. Army Garrison-Italy tenant units, to discuss his Army-wide leader development initiatives, Nov. 16-18.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey hosted two town hall meetings during his visit. The first was directed towards Soldiers in the ranks of staff sergeant and below; the second was directed towards sergeant first class and above. The intent was to share with them the changes that have been made, how it affects their careers, and finally the future of the profession.

Dailey first talked about Soldier readiness, the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Mark Milley’s number one priority. Dailey said Noncommissioned Officer-led, individual and collective training is vital to the responsible drawdown of the force.

Sustain and retain the best

Dailey said the way to sustain and retain the best enlisted Soldiers is through NCO professional development schools. Currently, he said changes are being made to ensure NCOs throughout the Army receive the training opportunities for career advancement.

The first professional development school Soldiers attend is called the Basic Leaders Course. In this course junior Soldiers in the ranks of private first class through specialist, sergeant, and in some cases staff sergeant, receive tactical-level leadership training needed to lead small groups of Soldiers.

The next school is the Advanced Leaders Course. The curriculum of this course is intended to develop junior leaders, in the ranks of sergeant through staff sergeant, by exposing them to the operational-level leadership training needed to lead squad and platoon sized units. In addition, this course is branch-specific and is intended to develop the skill and proficiency of a Soldier’s military occupational specialty.

The Senior Leaders Course, intended for Soldiers in the rank of sergeant first class through master sergeant, provides leadership, technical and tactical skills, knowledge and experience needed to lead platoon and company sized units.

As Soldiers continue to advance in their careers, the first sergeants course and sergeants major academy provide strategic-level training needed to lead company sized and larger units.

Currently the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy is the only NCO professional development school acknowledged by military and civilian organizations as an accredited academic institution. However, some colleges do recognize and provide lateral credit for successful completion of BLC, ALC and SLC.

Dailey said there are plans to increase the level of accreditation of all professional development schools. He added that in order to develop leaders “we must take opportunities to invest in the person.”

Investing in the person

“Someone saw the potential in me,” Dailey said, during a flashback story of how he was inspired to serve beyond his initial contract.

According to Dailey, in order to maintain the stewardship of the profession leaders must invest in their Soldiers. He added that it is for this reason the Army is changing how leaders are evaluated.

On Jan. 1, the Army released a revised version of the Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Report intended to better access the performance and future potential of enlisted leaders.

Dailey said the new evaluation will help restore balance to the reporting system. He added that previous reports indicated approximately 80 percent of NCOs were evaluated as, “among the best”. Dailey indicated how that system took away from those who truly earned top marks on their evaluations.

“We owe it to ourselves,” he said, elaborating on the intended purpose of the new evaluation.

America’s perception

According to Dailey, last month was the first time in 20 years the Army ranked as a number one choice for civilians seeking a career in the military.

Dailey accredited this to the ongoing efforts to change the way Americans perceive the Army. He said the common perception people had about the Army is why it had not been a top choice in the past. According to Dailey, this could not be further from the truth.

He gave an analogy that explained the perception of pride.

“All Marines, even those kicked out of service, if asked proudly say they are ‘Marines for life’,” Dailey said. “We can train, educate and promote a Soldier through retirement; then pay them for the rest of their life, and we still suck.”

Dailey further explained perception with word-cloud graphics, which depicted words associated with each service. “Educated” was a word associated with both the Air Force and Navy, while “Dangerous” associated to the Marines and Army. The most disheartening word Dailey said was “Average”, which was only associated with the Army.

“That is not like a C average either,” he said. He added that was not a word he felt should be associated to the Army.

Other words associated with the Army were “ordinary” and “low skill”, which led Dailey to ask attendees, “Why is it less than other services?”

One attendee stated that while serving as a recruiter, he noticed people’s perception of the services began the moment they enter a recruiter’s office. Dailey agreed, and then added approximately 69 percent of those who join were influenced by current or former Service Members.

Dailey reiterated his point about perception, stewardship, and personnel investment and how these factors contributed to the Army’s less than desirable status among the American population.

“It is a tough business, getting young men and women to join the Army,” said Dailey.

Dailey’s discussion with Soldiers and junior leaders was open and candid, yet served as an opportunity for him to drive home one important message.

“We have a responsibility to preserve the Army,” Dailey said in an effort to inspire attendees to help keep the Army great.

Setting the example

As the most senior enlisted leader of the Army, Dailey understands that every decision he makes will have an effect on those he leads.

“Good, bad, right or wrong, my presence influences people,” said Dailey and on Nov. 17 Dailey’s influence would have a lasting effect on one Soldiers career.

During his visit Dailey promoted Spc. James Sheridon, a USARAF command driver and native of Wayne, Mich., to the rank of sergeant.

“It was an honorable experience,” Sheridon said. “Dailey’s willingness to take time to recognize a junior Soldier sets an example for all NCOs to follow.”

“If he can make the time, we can too,” said the newly promoted sergeant.

Touring the installations

Dailey received tours of the installations and tenant units located within the USAG-I area of operation. The tours consisted of visits to U.S. Army Africa and 173rd Airborne Brigade headquarters, as well as training, fitness and living facilities that made up the Vicenza Military Community.

Dailey also received a brief tour of downtown Vicenza, which he said was an opportunity he had not had in his many years of service.

“I think this is one of the best duty assignments,” he said. “This country has extended us a hand and I encourage Soldiers to get out and enjoy the culture.”

• Date Taken: 11.21.2016
• Date Posted: 11.21.2016 07:02
• Story ID: 215333
• Location: VICENZA, IT
• Hometown: PORT ANTONIO, JM
• Hometown: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, US
• Hometown: CRESSKILL, NEW JERSEY, US
• Hometown: DETROIT, MICHIGAN, US
• Hometown: PALMERTON, PENNSYLVANIA, US
• Hometown: WAYNE, MICHIGAN, US
• Hometown: WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA, US
• Hometown: YOUNG AMERICA, MINNESOTA, US