ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Big changes to grooming and uniform standards are on the way, as are updates to outdated terminology and imagery used in Army regulations to illustrate proper soldier appearance.

The changes represent the first update since 2017 to Army Regulation 670-1, the “Guide to Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia,” and are aimed at reflecting the Army’s renewed focus on equity, diversity and inclusion while adhering to functionality, good order and discipline.

The Army’s efforts to put people first will continue in the new year as the service and its leaders work to “do better,” the sergeant major of the Army said. 

“We have to know our soldiers,” Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston said Jan. 12 during The AUSA Noon Report webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army. “We have to make sure we actually listen to what they’re saying.”

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston will speak Jan. 12 during The AUSA Noon Report webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army.

Grinston is slated to discuss several topics, including changing Army culture, the service’s ongoing COVID-19 response, and how soldiers are returning safely to training.

The event begins at noon Eastern. It is free, but registration is required here.

Trust, attention to detail and leading by example are some of the top features of a successful leader, according to six former senior enlisted leaders who collaborated on a book in which they share leadership lessons learned over long careers.

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing at least four new podcast episodes in November, including a special episode featuring Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston.

First up in the “Army Matters” series is a conversation with Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Hendrex, the senior enlisted leader for Army Training and Doctrine Command. Hendrex, who has been in the job since September, will talk about the latest in enlisted training and education.

The episode is available Nov. 2.

The Army is working to give junior leaders more time so they can focus on getting to know their soldiers and building disciplined, fit and proficient teams, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston said.

“This has got all of our attention,” he said. “In order to be able to know everybody in your squad, I’ve got to give you time to know your soldiers.”

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston is calling on NCOs to take time to get to know their soldiers as the service battles challenges such as suicide and sexual assault and harassment across the force.

“When we focus in on fit, disciplined and well-trained teams, we’re going to drive down all the negatives that happen to us on a daily basis,” Grinston said Oct. 13 during an initiatives forum as part of AUSA Now, the 2020 virtual annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army. 

Commanders at all levels must take care of soldiers, even when things go wrong, for the Army to successfully navigate challenges at home and abroad, the sergeant major of the Army said.

Good leadership can make all the difference to soldiers, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston said during the recent Fires Conference held virtually by the Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

As the Army continues to work on diversity and inclusion across the force, the sergeant major of the Army stressed that there’s “no place” for microaggressions among soldiers.  

“We’re better than that, and we can do better,” Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston said Aug. 31 during a webinar hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army.

“When you see something, you’ve got to say something,” Grinston said. “Just say, ‘Hey, that’s not appropriate.’ ”