GRAFENWOEHR, Germany (Sept. 9, 2015) -- During his first visit to U.S. Army Europe as the sergeant major of the Army, Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey visited the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy located in the Grafenwoehr Training Area.
Although this is his first visit to the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command since assuming the role as the sergeant major of the Army, it wasn't his first time to the academy in Grafenwoehr, going through the course in 1992 when it was the Primary Leadership Development Course.
He addressed more than 200 Warrior Leader Course students set to graduate Thursday, on issues affecting the force.
As the Army revamps the promotion system, Dailey mentions that the Army policy "select, train, educate, and promote," also known as STEP, will give Soldiers that are doing the right thing, the ability to succeed.
"We are investing in our future," Dailey said. "This is the first step."
As the force is reducing from 490,000 to 450,000, Dailey said that it's every Soldier's responsibility to stay ready and show that they want to remain a part of this Army.
"You have to do your best," he said. "You have to take every school available as an opportunity to excel above your peers."
He explained that the new system, which takes effect at the beginning of the year, will focus more on the knowledge, skills and attributes of a leader. Some of these areas, like knowledge of your job, self-development, and physical fitness, are crucial to every Soldier's career.
Dailey said that the No. 1 reason why Soldiers can't attend professional development schools is the inability to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test.
Under the new promotion system, Soldiers that don't attend assigned courses will come off the promotion list.
Dailey said these changes will create more opportunities for the up and coming noncommissioned officer, or NCO.
In his closing remarks, Dailey spoke of their transition from a Soldier to a NCO.
"Take this responsibility serious, it's an absolute privilege to lead the sons and daughters of American mothers and fathers. Don't ever forget that's a privilege, not a right."
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