SMA Chandler shares insight with Soldiers

By Rhonda Apple, Pentagram Staff WriterJuly 1, 2011

SMA Chandler shares insight with Soldiers
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Sergeant Major of the Army led the pack June 17 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall accompanying more than 1,000 people in the Army birthday run. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III ran with ease among fellow Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, officers and others participating in the annual run to commemorate the service's 236th birthday.

"This type of run is motivational. It's not about physical fitness. It's about getting together as a group to be part of something larger than yourself, getting motivated by your subordinates and superiors and feeling that you're part of the Army Family,” said Chandler.

Chandler feels fitness is crucial to sustaining an all-volunteer force.

“It's proven that fitness affects your emotional, mental and physical well-being. If you're exercising, you've got a good diet and nutrition and doing things in moderation, you'll perform better as a Soldier and as an athlete,” he said.

“We need that endurance and stamina from our Soldiers in what we ask them to do, whether it's in an office or in combat.”

The sergeant major of the Army understands the importance of leading by example.

“If I can set the example by coming out here and running a few miles, motivating or being some kind of inspiration to them, that's great. I love it, and it's the best part of the job,” he said.

Chandler oversees all Army noncommissioned officers and is the senior enlisted advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.

Chandler didn't initially envision becoming the sergeant major of the Army.

“I didn't realize I could be the SMA until I was asked to compete. I thought the best thing in 20 years when I planned on retiring was [to become] command sergeant major,” said Chandler. “I thought I'd reached the pinnacle of my career, never thought I'd be the SMA.”

However, once he was asked to compete, Chandler took time to contemplate the work-Family life balance and all the job entails.

“If you're going to be the SMA, you've got to be committed to a tremendous amount of travel and time away from your Family,” he said.

Although the decision was a difficult one, Chandler and his wife Jeanne made the decision to compete for the position.

“We were able to figure out how we'd balance the professional demands and our personal life,” Chandler said, reflecting on the competition process which led to his selection as the 14th sergeant major to fill the unique position.

“I don't believe there are any born leaders. I believe people are born with some abilities that are developed as a leader through experience, knowledge and training,” he said when asked whether leadership requires specific qualities, or if it can be taught.

“We all take those components, put them together and take a person through their career, giving them different experiences for them to grow and become leaders.

“Leadership is a key component in the Army and what sets us apart is the key ingredient in what makes us stronger,” he said.

“Noncommissioned officers are still the backbone of the Army,” affirmed Chandler. “Absolutely,” he emphasized. “What makes us stronger and what sets us apart from every other Army in the world is our noncommissioned officer corps. Our Army could not be where it is today without our NCOs. They make things happen.”

“The Army wants to take care of Families and Soldiers,” Chandler added. What Family members can do for the service, the sergeant major of the Army said is provide feedback on Army programs and really tell what's working and which ones are not working so we can make some adjustments.

“We understand and made a commitment to the Army Family Covenant and won't back off that commitment, but we really have to look at every single program and figure out whether or not they're providing the services that our Families expected. If not, we're going to make some adjustments and maybe some will be terminated because they're no longer providing what they were intending to provide,” said Chandler.

With immense changes in the Army while the service tightens its belt and consecutively fights two wars, Chandler agrees the Army must remain at the tip of the spear, modernized, lean and relatively mean yet humane. “Soldiers are the Army. We're not about planes or ships or tanks. We're about people,” said Chandler. “You can't lose sight of the fact the Army is made up of people " Soldiers, civilians and Family members. This entire Army Family is what makes us strong today and will make us strong in the future,” he said.

In an era of diminished resources, Chandler said they have to reduce the size of the Army. “We're going to have to do that in a very deliberate manner, understanding the service and sacrifice of our people,” he said.

“We're going to have to figure out how to be more effective and efficient with the money we'll be receiving. We're going to have huge challenges with the effects of 10 years of war on our forces, with behavioral health care, physical and emotional care, spiritual well-being and the elements that make up our comprehensive Soldier fitness program,” said Chandler.

“This is a time, as we have more time between deployments to rest, refit, recover and then move forward in the future.”

Birthday celebrations often entail gifts. “I think an appropriate gift to the Army is recognizing the sacrifice of today's Soldiers and their Families, and saying thank you is an appropriate gift,” said Chandler. “The Soldiers and our Families have just endured 10 years of war and multiple deployments. Their Families have been the ones waiting for them to return and have gone through the anxiety of not knowing whether they'd return,” Chandler said. “So thank you. Thank you for that sacrifice.

“Ninety-nine percent of the American population doesn't really understand what it truly means to be a Soldier and a member of that Family,” he added. “Thirty years after I've come in the Army, I'm part of something bigger than myself and to be around the young people and see their excitement and sense of enthusiasm, that they feel they're making a difference, motivates me to want to still be a part of it. I love it. I love what I do, the people and being part of the Army team.”

Related Links:

U.S. Army Military District of Washington