Are you a true steward of our profession?

Simple "Lead from the front" If your Soldiers see you doing the right thing then they will do the right thing. Always give a Task and purpose on why we are doing said task. I have learned that the Soldier's respect you even more if you do some of the details with them and not just task them out all the time. Take the time out of your schedule to sit down and explain promotion systems and how to get to the next level. Its the little things, like cutting a guy out early for a birthday/anniversary,ETC...those thing go a long way...just my .2 cents

SGT Castleman I can tell you when I joined the Army 29 years ago last month. A Vietnam vet pulled me to the side an said you need to take care of Soliders. I was an E1 and I can tell you I have held that in my heart and have did my best to make it my mission. I have missed promotions, missions, and schools because I was taking care of my fellow Soldiers. I can tell you my best thing that I did was in 2006 I mentored the Army Best Soldier of the Year. He was an Army Reserviest that was deployed in Germany at the time. I see what I do for Soldiers as karma. An I can tell you I have no idea how I made MSG in 2008, but I put it on an have moved forward, but not forgetting to take care of Soldiers. Now with the draw down it is even more important to pick up your Soldiers and keep them ready in all aspects of medical, training, and personal life. Never know where we will be going next.

A key step is to ensure your Solders know their history and know that what they do matters in the grand scheme. Like those that have gone before, they are woven inextricably into the fabric of our nation's history. It is human nature to want to belong to something larger than the self, be that the family, the tribe or the correct sports franchise. People will only go so far for a job, but they will move mountains for an identity.