ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. –Greetings Team CECOM!
Every October, the AUSA Annual Meeting is the venue where the Sergeant Major of the Army announces and recognizes the Army’s Soldier and NCO of the Year. Additionally, the SMA recognized the Army’s Best Squad, an Army first. These Soldiers and NCOs represent the Army’s best and deserve every bit of recognition for winning a competition that challenged them physically and mentally at every turn.
This year, I experienced firsthand the announcements taking place. Seeing these young American Soldiers endure and succeed reminded me of two things: first, those Soldiers are the leaders of tomorrow; and second, the Army of 2030 is in good hands.
Retaining talented Soldiers like this year’s winners and recruiting future Soldiers requires the Army to focus on people, and not just Soldiers, but families and our dedicated civilians as well. This was the number one theme for Army Senior Leaders as they gave their remarks in multiple forums during AUSA. It was good to hear Senior Leaders be candid and upfront about challenges Soldiers and families contend with on a regular basis. It was also refreshing to hear solutions to improve every facet of quality of life from those very same senior leaders.
And, as it relates to our civilian workforce, both the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff acknowledge we have more work to do to recruit and retain top talent. In fact, the Chief commented how the systems we use, such as USAJOBS, need to be better. It also requires ensuring that our workforce has the education, training and skills necessary to accomplish the mission today and tomorrow.
We all influence who joins our team; we all influence who stays on our team. We all have our part in building the Army of 2030.
Thank you for ensuring Soldiers across the globe have the capabilities to fight and win, it’s a team effort and you all contribute.
Proud to be your Command Sergeant Major
CSM Michael Conaty
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