15th SMA Returns Home, Mentors Big Red One NCOs

By Pfc. Mackenzie StrikerFebruary 23, 2023

15th SMA visits Fort Riley
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 15th Sergeant Major of the Army, Daniel A. Dailey visits the 1st Infantry Division at Victory Hall, Fort Riley, Kansas, Jan. 26, 2023. Dailey, a former 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. Soldier in 1993, was invited to be a guest speaker at the noncommissioned officer induction ceremony for the same battalion. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Mackenzie Striker) (Photo Credit: Pfc. mackenzie striker) VIEW ORIGINAL
15th SMA visits Fort Riley
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Infantry Division Soldiers gather for a photo after a noncommissioned officer induction ceremony at Victory Hall on Fort Riley, Kansas, Jan. 26, 2023. The NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks of the NCO corps. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Mackenzie Striker) (Photo Credit: Pfc. mackenzie striker) VIEW ORIGINAL
15th SMA visits Fort Riley
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sergeant Major Joshua Perkins (right), the battalion command sergeant major for the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, greets 15th Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey (left) prior to a noncommissioned officer induction ceremony outside of Victory Hall on Fort Riley, Kansas, Jan. 26, 2023. Dailey, a former 1/16 soldier, was invited to be a guest speaker at the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Mackenzie Striker) (Photo Credit: Pfc. mackenzie striker) VIEW ORIGINAL
15th SMA visits Fort Riley
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (From left to right) Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Shaiko, command sergeant major of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, 15th Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey, and Command Sergeant Major Joshua Perkins, the battalion command sergeant major for 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, salute as the National Anthem plays, during a noncommissioned officer induction ceremony in Victory Hall, Fort Riley, Kansas, Jan. 26, 2023. The NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted Soldiers joining the ranks of the NCO corps. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Mackenzie Striker) (Photo Credit: Pfc. mackenzie striker) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kan. - 15th Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey visited Fort Riley on Jan. 26, 2023. Dailey visited several locations on the installation to speak with 1st Infantry Division leadership and provide mentorship to Big Red One Soldiers.

Dailey, a former 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Inf. Div. Soldier, was a guest speaker at the noncommissioned officer induction ceremony for the “Iron Rangers”.

“I'm extremely proud to be here with Soldiers from the Big Red One because it feels like coming home,” Dailey said. “My tour of duty as an iron ranger was a defining moment in my career and life, and to this day, one of my favorite duty stations."

During the ceremony, Dailey spoke on the importance of being an NCO and the honor that comes with the title.

“The one difference, the true discriminator between good and great organizations, in my view, is leadership. It's not luck, happenstance or even coincidence,” Dailey said, “simply put, good leadership produces good units. Great leadership produces great units.”

NCO induction ceremonies are held to recognize and honor newly promoted leaders for having earned the right to join the NCO corps.

"The importance of recognizing newly inducted NCOs is giving the leadership the ability and opportunity to recognize the newly-promoted sergeants and highlight the organization and traditions that are extremely important to the NCO corps in general,” said Command Sergeant Major Joshua Perkins, the battalion command sergeant major for the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division.

Following the ceremony, Dailey ate lunch with NCOs from across the division, where he took the opportunity to reflect on his time in uniform and share knowledge with the young leaders.

Senior enlisted leaders from across the division met at Victory Hall for a leader professional development seminar, where Dailey shared insight on his time as the Sergeant Major of the Army and fielded questions.

"For me personally, it was a reconnection to my life as a Soldier,” Dailey said “I was able to impart my wisdom for the NCOs to take what they get from me and leave what they don't need. Fort Riley was an environment that was conducive to learning, and I think we should do it more often."