With tensions rising around the world, soldiers must grow, adapt and battle complacency to prepare for the future fight, the service’s top personnel officer said.

Through structural changes, strategically placing people in formations and talent management reforms, the Army is working “to make sure we're on the cutting-edge of technology and on the battlefield,” Lt. Gen. Brian Eifler, the deputy Army chief of staff for personnel, G-1, said June 18 during a Noon Report webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army.

“We have to continue to learn, to grow, to adapt and think about how to get better,” he said. “No matter where we are, no matter what level we are, we have to look at things differently to make sure we're prepared.”

Reflecting on the Army’s 250th birthday on June 14, Eifler highlighted the late retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr.’s adage to be proud but never satisfied.

“When we talk about 2030, 2040 or 2026, we can't wait another year. We have to be more adaptive. We have to be faster,” Eifler said. “We have to have systems that are streamlined, that free up time for the soldier to not … spend doing administration and more time doing training and preparing for the fight.”

Though soldiers will always make the decisions, artificial intelligence could unburden soldiers, Eifler said, adding that promotion board processes that typically take weeks could be done in one day using AI.

The Army is “doing really well in retention and recruiting” as it continues to make effective changes, Eifler said.

Army Recruiting Command has “done a phenomenal job” revolutionizing how and where the Army recruits and how it develops recruiters, Eifler said. The command also is leveraging AI to “narrow down the field instead of knocking on doors” for prospective recruits, Eifler said.

“I still think the American Dream is available inside the Army,” Eifler said. “I still think that the Army is one of the greatest places where you could start with nothing and end up … in a profession, in a career, … get a college education and get a start on life. … It'll take care and make you a better person.”