ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

The Army’s future depends on leaders and their ability to foster character, competence and commitment, said Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of the Army Training and Doctrine Command.

“I would challenge the future leaders out there … to take all of those [values] seriously,” Brito said.

Speaking during the recent 2023 Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Moore, Georgia, formerly known as Fort Benning, Brito’s remarks came as Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George pushes for efforts to strengthen the Army profession.

A Leader Solarium organized by the Association of the U.S. Army concluded Oct. 11 with the opportunity for about 160 mid-grade NCOs and officers to pitch ideas to senior Army leaders about solving some of the service’s big challenges.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer listened to ideas on fixing a troubled soldier pay system, expanding cold-weather training and straightening out a complicated batch of unit rosters that don’t always agree on how many soldiers are in a unit.

An Army element created in the wake of internal scrutiny following Spc. Vanessa Guillen's 2020 disappearance and death outside the former Fort Hood, Texas, is getting a new name—and a sustained mission to help units thrive. 

People and technology are both critical to the Army of the future, but the latter can never replace the former, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer told a group of mid-grade officers and NCOs.

“I do believe, and I always will, that people are our competitive advantage against all our adversaries,” Weimer said. As the force becomes more tech-driven, his concern is that soldiers will “compromise on the basics.”

Speaking to more than 160 mid-grade NCOs and officers, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George called on the young leaders to help him solve some of the biggest challenges facing the force today.

The specially selected group of soldiers gets this unique opportunity through a Leader Solarium hosted by George at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.

Technology will be a necessary part of future battle, but the Army’s strength lies in its leaders and soldiers’ ability to shoot, move and communicate, said Gen. James Rainey, commander of Army Futures Command.

Speaking at the recent 2023 Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Moore, Georgia, formerly known as Fort Benning, Rainey and the command’s senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Hester, emphasized the need for soldiers to be good at the basics of fighting and killing the enemy.