FORT CARSON, Colo. (April 27, 2015) – The importance of improving military education while continually improving the Army profession were two topics Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey shared with members of the Fort Carson community, April 20-21.
“As the Army gets smaller we have to invest in the people who will lead us into the future,” Dailey said. “We are revamping the entire military education system. Our education system doesn’t transfer well into the civilian sector. While we rebuild our courses force-wide, we are focusing on maximizing opportunity for two programs: credentialing and academic equivalency.
“We are the largest academic institution in the world and have the largest online delivery system in America,” Dailey said. “We have the academic ability to accredit our own courses, to give you the maximum amount of credit for the work that you do, especially the ones that translate into work that is done out in the civilian sector.”
Dailey addressed about 600 Soldiers and Family members at McMahon Auditorium, discussing topics affecting the future of all Soldiers and Families, while answering questions about any concerns they had.
“We will continue to be the smartest, most-educated and well-trained fighting force in the world,” Dailey said.
“My goal is to make sure that Soldiers are getting all they deserve when they exit the Army,” he said. “We are making changes to the non-commissioned officer [NCO] education system to ensure Soldiers will earn maximum credit for the schools they attend while they are in the Army.”
There is a new grassroots program being developed, which Dailey said stemmed from his approach to leadership when he was a squad leader. It is called “Not in My Squad.”
Dailey said he recommended to the Army chief of staff that he thought they need to back off the requirements coming down from the big Army and put it into the hands of the people who can actually influence it.
The Not in My Squad concept is about leaders taking charge and Soldiers taking ownership of their actions, while making the Army a better organization, Dailey said.
“When I was a young staff sergeant, I had nine Soldiers in my squad,” he said. “I didn’t know everything, I wasn’t the most experienced individual, I wasn’t the best or the brightest. What I did know was that those young men and women were mine – they fell under my charge. Nothing was going to happen to them on my watch.
“If someone is harassing your Soldier then you need to do something about it,” he said. “We have to get past this thing where we steal from each other. That might be a Soldier’s pride; might be their honor; might be their tape player. We don’t steal from each other. The concept Not in My Squad is about taking charge. I can’t think we are stealing from each other. I need NCOs to take charge and say ‘this is the best squad in the Army’ and if it isn’t, then ‘I am going to do something about it.'”
The Army’s top enlisted adviser visited with Soldiers from various units, observed training and spoke one-on-one with Soldiers about concerns they had about the future of the Army.
“To meet the sergeant major of the Army [SMA] was truly inspirational,” said Spc. Nick Barta, combat medic, Company C, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “The fact he took the time to address our concerns in person shows how much he cares about taking care of Soldiers. I really like the SMA’s Not in My Squad concept. If everyone had that mentality the Army would be that much better.”
Dailey challenged every Soldier to ask themselves two questions everyday: Who do you trust? And do your Soldiers trust you?
“If you can get through those two questions without any guilt then you are doing your job,” he said. “If there is any guilt associated with those two then you need to change the way you are leading your Soldiers or change the people you are hanging around with.”
The trip marked Dailey’s first visit to Joint Task Force Carson since he became the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jan. 30. He was the 4th Infantry Division command sergeant major from March 2009 to November 2011.