FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer visited Fort Leonard Wood this week to engage with leaders and Soldiers, observe training and tour facilities.
The SMA, as the title is often abbreviated, serves as the Army chief of staff’s personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force and their families. This was Weimer’s first visit to Fort Leonard Wood since becoming the SMA in August 2023.
During his visit, Weimer did walkthroughs of barracks and had luncheon discussions with drill sergeants at Army Warrior Restaurants. He toured training facilities, including Stem Village, Brown Hall, the Chemical Defense Training Facility and Training Area 244, to observe aspects of Fort Leonard Wood’s training missions.
On April 18 at Training Area 239, Weimer also observed cadre and trainees with Company D, 31st Engineer Battalion, participating in the Army’s new basic combat training culminating event concept, called Forge 2.5.
The concept, officials said, features large-scale combat operations scenarios and continuous tactical operations. It is intended to be more realistic and challenging than its predecessor, all while also increasing the tactical skills of trainees and enabling cadre — including company command teams and drill sergeants — to develop as leaders.
Weimer said creating “that common field experience” for all Soldiers helps create a bond and is something they will never forget — it also helps build confidence.
“They’re leaving out of here understanding what it means to be a basic Soldier,” Weimer said. “They know what right looks like.”
For the cadre, who lead the trainees through the scenarios and operations, Forge 2.5 helps instill “an empathetic, squad leader” mentality, Weimer added, comparing the role, in some ways, to that of a coach.
“So, (the cadre are) also going to be better when they go back to the operational units,” he said. “There’s a lot of goodness happening out here.”
Weimer, who grew up in a military family and has two daughters, one of whom is currently attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, also took time to speak on the strengths of military children, as April is known as the Month of the Military Child.
“They truly understand what selflessness is because one — or both parents, in many cases — are serving their nation in some way,” he said. “And so, those kids sacrifice a ton. But what you see is, as they get a little bit older, they start to understand what the sacrifice is all about. They understand the purpose of the military; they understand the calling, that commitment that comes with that long, indefinite 20-plus years of service, and so, those children are developing grit along the way, and I think that’s one of the reasons why you see so many military children end up in the military. It’s because they are actually attracted to that hard, fulfilling lifestyle that the military offers.”
Weimer also said Fort Leonard Wood’s service members and civilians have a lot to be proud of.
“There’s a ton of amazing stuff happening here,” he said. “The community and the teamwork that I see here — there’s just a good vibe going on here. And so, I’ve got to give Missouri a shout out; I’ve got to give the local community a shout out, and the leaders here at the installation. The garrison’s kicking butt here ... I mean, you see it. It’s evident when you interact with everybody here.”
More photos from the SMA's visit to Fort Leonard Wood are available to view and download on the Fort Leonard Wood Flickr page.
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