SMA: Army Renews Focus on Standards, Discipline

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Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer speaks at the Sergeant Major of the Army’s Initiatives Briefing at the  AUSA 2023 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Pete Marovich for AUSA)
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SMA: Army Renews Focus on Standards, Discipline

NCOs drive change across the Army, and they will have a critical role as the service renews its focus on standards and discipline, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer said.

“We’re going to get after standards and discipline,” Weimer said Oct. 11 at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition. “I can’t go anywhere in the Army and not have a conversation about standards and discipline.”

SMA: ‘People are Our Competitive Advantage’

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Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer speaks at the Leader Solarium during the AUSA 2023 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Tasos Katopodis for AUSA)
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SMA: ‘People are Our Competitive Advantage’

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.”

NCOs Should Focus on ‘Master’s Degree’ in Warfighting

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Sergeant Major of the Army’s Professional Development Forum at the AUSA 2023 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. (Tasos Katopodis for AUSA)
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NCOs Should Focus on ‘Master’s Degree’ in Warfighting

The 17th sergeant major of the Army encouraged all NCOs to get advanced degrees in warfighting and master the basics of soldiering.

“I worked on my bachelor of science, finished it online, but what we’re really going to focus on is a master’s degree in warfighting, because if we’re called upon with the adversaries we have now, that’s the one that’s going to matter the most,” Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer said Oct. 10 at a senior NCO forum during the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.

Green Beret Selected as Next SMA

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Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer speaks at an event.
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Green Beret Selected as Next SMA

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer, a Special Forces soldier with more than 20 years of experience in Army special operations, has been selected to become the 17th sergeant major of the Army. 

Weimer will succeed Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston this summer. Grinston has served as the Army’s senior enlisted leader since August 2019. 

Special Operations NCOs Named White House Fellows

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The White House
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Special Operations NCOs Named White House Fellows

A special operations NCO who has deployed 15 times and a former Army Ranger have been appointed to the 2022–2023 class of White House Fellows, a highly competitive program for leaders who are committed to public service.

Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program offers “exceptional young leaders first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government,” the White House said in its announcement.

Land Navigation is Coming Back

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Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims of Army Forces Command speaks during the Sergeant Major of the Army’s Professional Development Forum at AUSA 2022 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. (Jeromie Stephens for AUSA)
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Land Navigation is Coming Back

It’s time for a return to land navigation training, said some of the Army’s top enlisted leaders, who agree that despite advances in technology, soldiers must master the most basic task: how to get where they’re going.

Army Expands Temporary Promotion Policy for NCOs

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Soldier receives promotion
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Army Expands Temporary Promotion Policy for NCOs

The Army has expanded its temporary promotion policy to all NCOs, allowing those who are otherwise qualified to move up before completing the required professional military education.

This decision allows the Army to bridge the gap between training and promotion requirements, said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston.

Training, Communication Critical to Building Teams

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CSM Sampa speaks
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Training, Communication Critical to Building Teams

Training repetition, physical and mental fitness, and engaged communication with leadership are all key aspects of building readiness and cohesive teams throughout the Army, according to a panel of senior NCOs.

“The Army exists to fight and win our nation’s wars. You have to be an expert at your craft,” whether you’re an infantryman, armor soldier, human resources specialist or any other MOS, said Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, senior enlisted leader for Army Forces Command.

Army Names Soldier, NCO of the Year

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Soldier and NCO of the year
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Army Names Soldier, NCO of the Year

The winners of the Army’s 20th annual Best Warrior Competition were announced Oct. 11 during the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C.

The Soldier of the Year is Spc. Justin Earnhart of Army Futures Command, and the NCO of the Year is Sgt. Adam Krauland from U.S. Army Pacific.

“Our Army has gone through so much in the last 18 months. I am so proud to be standing with you today,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, who oversaw the competition.