Sgt. Maj. of the Army visits Fort Sill, stresses education

FORT SILL, Okla., Sept. 1, 2016 -- Sgt. Maj. of the Army (SMA) Daniel Dailey toured the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill Aug. 29-30. After meeting with post leaders, education was a big part of his visit as he toured training facilities, schools and met with instructors, teachers and counselors.

The SMA saw how drill sergeants train new recruits. He toured advanced individual training facilities for field and air defense artillery, met with students and staff at the new Freedom Elementary School, and visited the training campus where Soldiers who are leaving the Army learn trades to use in the civilian workforce.

At the Fort Sill Soldier for Life Transition Campus, Dailey addressed about a dozen Soldiers as they sat in their Department of Labor employee workshop -- part of their transition training.

He was emphatic about how important education is in a Soldier's life. The SMA said the Army is working toward giving college credit (credentialing) for all of its enlisted education in all of its military occupational specialties. And, in about 18 months all graduates of the Sergeants Major Academy will receive a master's degree.

"I want the American public to be waiting outside the gate to offer you a job because of the world-class training and education that we've been giving you," he said.

Dailey said he has spoken to industry leaders about the training young Soldiers receive. "In most cases they are completely surprised at the level we're training our Soldiers to, and in some cases, they admit they can't get to that level."

About 75,000 Soldiers leave the Army every year, said Dailey, who entered the Army at age 17. "I want them to be successful," he said. "We want you to get employed, we want you to go to school."

Dailey urged transitioning Soldiers and all Soldiers to take advantage of the education benefits they have earned. He said only about 30 percent of Soldiers leaving the service go back to school.

The SMA said he knows school is tough, a lot of work and expensive, especially if one has a family. But it's a tragedy Soldiers are not taking advantage of their earned benefits, he said.

"It's not going to be easy, but neither was the journey when you got on the bus, whether you went to Fort Sill, Fort Jackson, (S.C.), Fort Benning, (Ga.)," he said. "Don't quit, don't give up your dream because you are going to be one step ahead of your peers when you get finished with that degree."

Dailey said he had saved money since he was a private to send his son to college. However, because of new education benefits that can be transferred to family members he has not had to pay toward his son's college. He son is now in his junior year.

He also cited the example of his brother, who served one tour in the Army in the 1980s. His brother never took advantage of that era's G.I. Bill, and his eligibility expired after 10 years. He confided to the SMA that he regretted it.

He said that his brother went on to be successful, "but probably could have achieved it much faster had he completed his degree."

Dailey said he's about halfway through his four-year tour as SMA, and in December will be sitting, like these Soldiers, at his mandatory Army transition assistance training at Fort Myer, Va.

He said the staff at the Transition Assistance Programs (TAP) is there to assist them as they get into the civilian workforce. They are here to help you with resumés "so you can tell your story to a population that doesn't really understand" (what the military does), he said.

"This (TAP) is a resource that we spend lots of money on, so that you are successful in your next journey in life," Dailey said, "and, that is being a Soldier for the rest of your life in some great community."