HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (May 11, 2015) – He may not be able to predict the future, but Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey will do his best to guarantee the American Soldier is ready for whatever that future brings.
“In four years, we can pretty much expect the world is still going to be a dangerous and unpredictable place,” Dailey said. “And there is still going to be a significant amount of uncertainty that the Army and Soldiers, along with their Families, must be prepared to face.
“One way to prevent war, which is always the most desirable course, is to ensure our adversaries know that we are an Army of preparation – the most lethal fighting force this world has ever known, fully capable of dominance in combat, trained and ready when called.”
Dailey outlined a three-pronged approach to ensuring the reputation of Army Strong does not fall by the wayside at the Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army, or CASA, National Conference Dinner here, May 6. He provided business and community leaders, who advise and support Army leaders throughout the country, with his vision for the Army’s way ahead, which includes an emphasis on mental and physical fitness, training and education, and keeping the United States’ view of the Soldier in the highest regard.
“If I had a crystal ball, it would show a time four years from now, when we have a force overflowing with adaptive leaders, an organization that boasts they are the smartest, most educated enlisted force and officer corps in the world, and a consensus among the American people that they trust us implicitly to protect our way of life,” Dailey said.
In terms of physical and mental readiness, Dailey emphasized the importance of passing on knowledge from more experienced noncommissioned officers, or NCOs, to newer Soldiers as they rise through the ranks, as well as, training opportunities that include warrior tasks and battle drills, and performing physical training five days a week.
“We fight wars – this is what we do,” Dailey said. “That requires us to be physically fit, mentally tough and resilient. And it’s no secret that physical fitness contributes to the overall well-being of our Soldiers. I need Soldiers to be deployable. I need Soldiers that are ready to fight and willing to answer the call, because that’s the business we do.”
Several initiatives are underway to improve the training and education of Soldiers, Dailey said, including a revamping of the professional military education system philosophy. Courses are being rebuilt force-wide to improve credentialing and academic-equivalency, and several new courses are in development for senior NCOs, while junior leader courses are being restructured.
To better aid Soldiers as they transition out of the uniform, efforts are also underway to match every military occupational specialty, or MOS, with a civilian equivalent, providing a credentialing opportunity “for every Soldier and every MOS.”
“We want to give them skills to enhance their strength on the battlefield, as well as in the job market back home,” Dailey said. “This is the real legacy of the Soldier for Life program – it’s not a bumper sticker – it’s tangible. We’re giving back to the American people a better product, able to enter and contribute to an American workforce that’s thirsting for technical tradesmen and women.”
To continue the Soldier’s legacy of exemplifying the “image of America’s best,” Dailey has prepared a new initiative, “Not In My Squad,” which “puts the mid-level leaders in the driver’s seat to problem solve the issues that lead to lapses of discipline and to offer suggested changes or improvements directly to Army senior leaders.”
Squad leaders will meet in Washington D.C. in June to brainstorm ways to develop the program, discussing ways on how to best approach training, strategic communication, and policy modification.
Dailey thanked the CASAs for the work they do on a daily basis for their Army and their country. The Army secretary appointed leaders from throughout the nation to advise himself, the Army chief of staff, and commanders regarding the public’s sentiments toward the Army.
Nearly 70 attended the national conference.
“Tomorrow always represents opportunity in our Army,” Dailey said. “Tomorrow brings promise. Embrace these uncertainties, as I have, as opportunities for powerful and meaningful change, and we will, I promise, be successful together.”