1 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Big Red One Solution Summit participants gather for a group photo at the Republican River outside of Fort Riley, Kansas, September 21, 2022. The participants completed a group run as a final part of their three-day summit. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay)
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Clarence Raby, the 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major, responds to a question asked during the Big Red One Solution Summit at Victory Hall on Fort Riley, Kansas, September 19, 2022. Raby, as well as other noncommissioned officers across the brigade, attended the summit to discuss future plans, potential policy updates and ways to improve team cohesion. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay)
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Kansas State University baseball head coach Pete Hughes discusses the tactics that he uses to develop a winning culture at Victory Hall on Fort Riley, Kansas, September 20, 2022. Hughes was invited as a guest speaker to the Big Red One Solution Summit.. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay)
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Darvin Williams, the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major, shares his experiences with his brigade and its policymaking systems at Victory Hall on Fort Riley, Kansas, September 19, 2022. The Big Red One Solution Summit was a conference for senior NCO’s to discuss and plan future events, policy changes and ways to improve the division. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay)
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 5Show Caption +Hide Caption –
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the 1st Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major, presents a plaque with the U.S. Army Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer to Kansas State University baseball head coach Pete Hughes at Victory Hall on Fort Riley, Kansas, September 20, 2022. Hughes was a guest speaker at the Big Red One Solution Summit, where senior NCO’s came together to plan future events, discuss policy, and suggest new ideas to division leadership. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Holladay)
(Photo Credit: Pfc. Joshua Holladay)VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT RILEY, Kan. – Senior noncommissioned officers from across 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley gathered for a conference to discuss upcoming changes and plans for the division September 19-21, 2022.
The event, titled the Big Red One Solution Summit, was held to review short-term initiatives for the upcoming year and to start implementing long-term strategic plans in support of the Commanding General’s priorities.
The event was hosted by 1st Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax.
The summit consisted of participant-led discussions on the roles of current senior noncommissioned officer-level leadership, future programs and goals they hoped to enact or alter, ways to promote retention and recruiting, as well as guest speaker forums.
“All the sergeants major came together, as well as some additional personnel, and tried to frame some problem sets,” said Sgt. Maj. Santantonio Smith, the noncommissioned officer in charge of retention for 1st Infantry Division.
The participants were divided into five teams, a few of which would be selected to pitch their plans and suggestions to the commanding general and command sergeant major.
Guest speakers at the event included Kansas State University baseball head coach Pete Hughes, and the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Commandant and former Big Red One Soldier, Command Sgt. Maj. Rickey Jackson.
Hughes spoke on how to build a winning organizational culture and work ethic. “Find a common goal and surround yourself with winners,” Hughes said. “Have a play-to-win mentality.”
Hughes received a plaque that had the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer engraved on it, and a book about leadership signed by the participants as a token of gratitude for his contribution.
The senior leaders capped off the event with a motivational morale run along the Republican River just outside of post. The event was well received by its participants. Some participants, such as Smith, even hoped to see similar events occur into the future.
“We need to do this more often,” said Smith. “It’s very powerful when leaders come together, especially noncommissioned officers, to solve the problems presented to us.”
Social Sharing