More than 80 U.S. Army senior commanders and enlisted leaders gathered Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 at Fort Bragg, N.C., for the annual U.S. Army Forces Command Commander’s Forum to discuss topics on readiness and modernization, recruiting and retention, and the safety and manning of the Total Army Force. One Army priority stood out though, and became a primary topic of discussion: people.
Gen. Andrew Poppas, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, told leaders that since taking command in July 2022, he has talked extensively with Soldiers on numerous travels to better understand how to train and assist them.
“People are our number one priority,” said Poppas. “Our leaders need to take accountability and really know their Soldiers and know their people,” he said. “If leaders are unencumbered, they can be out there with their Soldiers-physically present and engaged starting with 6:30 a.m. Physical Training. Physical presence matters,” Poppas emphasized. “It’s critical.”
His 90-day command assessment highlights the importance of “Winning Matters.” The first key initiative of the four “Wins,” was to “Win Trust and Empower Leaders through engagement and stability” --highlighting the U.S. Army’s “People First” priority and the necessity to provide leaders with the right tools for success.
“Leaders have to really know their Soldiers: their aims, aspirations, whether they’re in debt and how they plan to solve that,” Poppas said. “It’s not an encroachment into their personal life, because personal matters affect unit readiness. Shared hardship and reps and sets as a unit, strengthens relationships over time,” said Poppas.
Keeping good Soldiers in the ranks is important for continuity and for enticing others to consider a life of service to country. However, attracting young, able-bodied men and women to serve has been challenging for nearly all the military services, and that’s the topic business author and guest speaker Simon Sinek, share with the attendees.
“Having the ability to articulate what you stand for as a culture and how you fit in, is key to recruiting,” said Sinek. “People want to be a part of the narrative of service.”
Sinek pointed out the Army --just like the other services -- has very stringent rules for entry into the ranks, which include passing an entrance exam, a physical fitness test and meeting height and weight standards. He said it’s because of stringent standards that Army leaders may want to consider loosening up initial entry requirements as the Army could be missing out on great talent such as an excellent cyber warrior who might struggle with passing the Army Combat Fitness Test.
Retention of those already in the ranks is also an issue, Sinek said, and one that may need to be reevaluated.
Both Gen. Poppas and Sinek pointed out that solid leadership is key to ensuring the Army remains strong and also plays a role in Soldiers choosing to remain part of the Army family. Poppas said there must be accountability though, and the willingness to adapt and do things that may not come naturally to some.
“Leaders are put into the position they are to be the standard and enforce the standards,” said Poppas, “and you might need more time to ‘ripen on the vine’ before you’re put in a given leadership position.”
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