FORT BLISS, Texas - Command Sgt. Maj. Hector Marin spoke to the Sergeants Major Academy graduating class at Fort Bliss, Texas Jan. 26. Marin is the senior noncommissioned officer for the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
Marin was the guest speaker for the graduating Sergeants Major Nonresident Class 3-10.
"You are already committed to your nation, and are the true leaders of our Army, and the nation depends on your leadership during these times of persistent conflict," Marin told the group of senior NCOs. "To you falls the responsibility of training and sustaining the best Army on the face of the earth."
Marin talked to the sergeants major about the young sergeants in today's Army. "They truly carry the load and do everything we've asked of them for the past eight years of war and beyond," he said.
As the 2009 Year of the NCO is now over, Marin implored the leaders to continue to develop NCOs through education, fitness and leadership training.
"As the Army transforms, it is more important than ever that NCOs are engaged beyond a tactical capacity but are empowered through education, training and development, to make critical decisions within their battlespace," he said.
Marin told the class how technology advances are changing how the Army operates. "The battlefield is getting extremely advanced, to the point that technology is surpassing some of our training centers and schools with new equipment going straight to the battlefield," he said.
The command sergeant major explained how senior enlisted leaders can make a difference by investing in young NCOs. "I ask us to double the effort and treat that sergeant with the dignity and respect they deserve," he said. "These NCOs are a national treasure and they represent the best of our Army, but must important they represent our freedom guardians."
With 28 years in uniform, Marin wanted to pass on some of what he has learned. "Your most meaningful memories will be the times when your character, integrity, endurance, stamina or fortitude was most challenged and you had the courage to do the right thing," he said. "The things that make you feel best about yourself will not be things you do for yourself, but the good things you do for others."
Marin encouraged the sergeants major to always do the best at their jobs. "Prosperity, good luck and fortune come to those who work hard and have patience and tolerance," he said. "The experiences in your life that truly elevate the human spirit will not come from material rewards, but from moral and spiritual rewards that attend virtues of sacrifice, duty, honor and courage."
Marin graduated from the academy in 2002. He is now the key enlisted advisor to Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, RDECOM commanding general and the senior enlisted Soldier at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.
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