Photo By Master Sgt. Vin Stevens | Command Sgt. Maj. James K. Sims, Regimental Quartermaster command sergeant major,...... read more read more
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - On Feb. 23, Command Sgt. Maj. James K. Sims, Regimental Quartermaster CSM from Fort Lee, Va., visited the 82nd Sustainment Brigade. Sims spoke about the numerous challenges facing NCOs of all levels with the new draw down and retention levels being enacted by the Army.
Throughout his speech Sims reiterated that soldiers must be aware of what they are doing and make sure that they are not engaging in activities that could put their careers in jeopardy.
“CSM Sims wants soldiers to focus on doing things to enhance themselves,” said Master Sgt. Floyd Tappin, 82nd Sustainment Brigade S-3 Plans NCOIC. “Soldiers need to focus on achieving the items on their Non-commissioned Officer Education System while continually pursuing new opportunities,” he said.
With the new standards being enforced by the Department of the Army, soldiers with any negative action in their background could be barred from re-enlistment. Sims discussed how the Army is looking to remove as many of the soldiers who can’t meet the standards as possible while retaining the best soldiers.
“Soldiers have many different areas to focus on when it comes to their careers, but focusing on completing NCO schools is very important,” said Tappin. “Completing NCO schools and the Structured Self Development Courses are what lead to soldiers being competitive in today’s Army,” he said.
In his speech, Sims mentioned that he views soldiers as falling into one of three categories: those who are above the standard, those who meet the standard, and those who are failing to meet the standard. According to Sims, he believes that while many soldiers will be removed from the latter two categories, soldiers who are above the standard will also face scrutiny. “If I have a soldier who is a PT stud, but in all other aspects of their job they are only mediocre, then that soldier is not meeting the standard,” said Sims. “Soldiers are being looked at as a whole, not just in one particular area when they are being considered for re-enlistment,” he said.
As the Army continues to create tougher standards for re-enlistment and promotion, soldiers will have to focus on all of their skills, not just one or two in particular. “There are many different avenues to take on this subject,” said Tappin. “However, as we’re seeing, being a PT stud is simply not enough. In today’s Army you need to focus on making yourself stand out, not only through physical ability, but also through your work ethic, ability to succeed, and by completing those items in your non-commissioned officer education system,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2012 16:22 |
| Story ID: | 84581 |
| Location: | FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 208 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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