ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, beginning a farewell tour of Congress as he nears retirement after 36 years of service, told a House subcommittee that he’s convinced the Army can overcome its recruiting challenges if it takes steps to make service more rewarding.

Testifying Feb. 28 about quality of life in the military, Grinston said, “Young Americans want to be part of something larger than themselves.” 

“We need a national call to public service,” he said, noting that it “only goes so far.” 

Initiatives to sharpen soldier fitness, leadership skills and readiness continue to be top priorities for Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston as he enters the last six months of his tenure as the Army’s senior enlisted leader.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston will speak Feb. 14 as part of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Coffee Series. 

The in-person event at AUSA’s headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, will open at 6:30 a.m. Eastern for registration and badge pickup. The program is scheduled to begin at 7:15 a.m. 

Online registration is available until 5 p.m. Eastern Feb. 10. If seating is still available, same-day registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 6:30 a.m. Eastern Feb. 14. 

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. 

A three-day Leader Solarium organized by the Association of the U.S. Army’s Center for Leadership in conjunction with the association’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition focused on strategies for how junior leaders—enlisted, officer, warrant officer and Army civilians—can be inspired team leaders. 

From bringing back land navigation to examining the Army’s height and weight standards, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston is continuing his push to build cohesive teams and improve soldiers’ quality of life.

Grinston, who is in his fourth year as the Army’s senior enlisted leader, outlined his initiatives for the coming year during a briefing Oct. 12 at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Day Three of AUSA 2022 features a series of contemporary military forums and the presentation of the Association of the U.S. Army’s highest award.

On-site registration opens at 8 a.m.

In the morning, an Army civilian forum will feature Army Undersecretary Gabe Camarillo, while Gen. Darryl Williams, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, will lead a forum titled “Landpower—The Contested European Theater.” 

Questions about mental health and access to behavioral health providers prompted a frank discussion with Army senior leaders at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Addressing a standing room-only, town hall-style forum with military families, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth gave her assurance that seeking help is “nothing to be ashamed about,” acknowledging that she has sought counseling during difficult times in her own life.

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.

The Army is launching several initiatives to combat shortfalls in recruiting, but one simple technique can be utilized by every single soldier—telling their Army story in their hometowns.

“We need to tell our stories in our hometowns,” Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston told a group of young leaders during the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition.