WIESBADEN, Germany (Sept. 10, 2015) — Having the courage to stand up in front of hundreds of your peers, leaders and subordinates is no easy feat, especially when speaking with the current sergeant major of the Army, but that is exactly what U.S. Army Europe Soldiers are doing here today.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army, or SMA, Daniel A. Dailey met with approximately 250 service members on Clay Kaserne at a question and answer session during the second day of his four-day tour around the European theater. The group discussed physical fitness, which Dailey is heavily known as having a great enthusiasm for, enlisted academics, leadership schools and the future of U.S. Soldiers in Europe.
“I know we do not get everything right,” Dailey said. “I expect you to tell me the things we are not perfect at today, but I will match any organization in America against the care that we [the Army] provide our Soldiers and Families.”
Emphasizing his initiatives of enlisted Soldier development, taking care of Families and deployment readiness, the Army’s youngest SMA spoke clearly regarding how he will continue to build the enlisted force in his upcoming years.
One of the key points Dailey emphasized was based on a concept taken from the Marine Corps. “You are a Soldier for life and should be treated as such.” This everlasting commitment goes beyond the time a Soldier spends serving, whether that is three years or 30 years, he said.
In addition to emphasizing his initiatives, Dailey gave special consideration the backbone of U.S. Army Europe.
“Phenomenal,” he said, describing the noncommissioned officers of U.S. Army Europe. “You can tell that they are at the point on the battlefield that is critical to success. They are fully cognizant of their mission here, they fully understand their influence in this theater of operation and how their presence affects their international partners.”
During his closing remarks, Dailey had a few choice words for the group, leaving something for them to think about as they continue to serve in U.S. Army Europe.
“We cannot exist without you,” he said. “Do not ever undersell your commitment to your nation and the people that you serve.”