Army's Top Enlisted Soldier Visits Fort Bragg

Army News Service

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III visited Fort Bragg to meet with sergeants major from various commands throughout the Army during a Board of Directors meeting at U.S. Army Forces Command Headquarters, Jan. 14-18. Topics discussed included uniform changes, current Army standards and regulations as well as the future of the Army.

"It was important for me to visit Fort Bragg because there are some things from the Department of the Army level that senior NCOs (noncommissioned officers) within our Army need to work through and understand," said Chandler.

Chandler, the 14th sergeant major of the Army, assumed responsibly in March 2011. In his position, he serves as the senior enlisted adviser to the Army's chief of staff on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting the soldiers' quality of life and training.

Chandler took time to visit Picerne Military Housing's Randolph Pointe on Fort Bragg to get a firsthand look of the quality of life for single soldiers.

He praised the capabilities of the Home of the Airborne and Special Forces as the base is one of the premiere and unique installations in the Army, he said.

"As we all know, Fort Bragg is the 'center of the universe', and with that comes all that it can deliver, not only for the nation, but across the globe. We have just about everything we need here to do what the nation asks us to do," said Chandler.

With the Army in transition and as the reduction of forces in Afghanistan continues, Chandler explained that Soldiers should understand that not everything is within the Army's control.

"Our nation has priorities and the president of the United States and Congress are setting those priorities for us," he said. "Our jobs as Soldiers are to be agile and adapt to those changing priorities. I expect our soldiers to stay focused on their individual tasks and be prepared for whatever the nation asks us to do."

For noncommissioned officers and future junior leaders, Chandler encourages both to not only understand the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier's Creed, but to live the creeds.

"If you are going to become a noncommissioned officer or currently are one, remember what these creeds mean. That's your oath," said Chandler. "You state to the world that this is who I am and this is what I believe in. That's what I expect from all soldiers."

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