I'm a Soldier For Life, and was Drill SGT of the Year (2003). Stopping by on Tuesday, August 11. What questions do you have?

2015-08-06T11:03:28-04:00

*Post your questions below*

I am a mother, a sister and a Soldier--it's just who I am and what I do.
Limitations are only what you set on yourself--always strive to be the best
you can be. As Sgt. Maj., my job is to take care of Soldiers and Families.
This means leading by example, listening, serving selflessly and dealing
with every issue and challenge as if it was my own. It is truly an honor. I
want to talk to you about the qualities that make a good leader and how as a
Soldier for Life, I serve and will continue to serve for the rest of my
military career and after I retire.

From RP Staff:

We're honored to welcome CSM Boersma to RallyPoint for a Q&A. A few things she is interested in discussing are:

- Qualities that make great leaders
- Resilience: resilient Soldiers make resilient civilians
- The civilian-military divide
- Winning DS of the Year for the Army (2003)

Post your questions below, and check back in on Tuesday afternoon to see the responses live!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 6 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-08-06T11:07:31-04:00

CSM Private RallyPoint Member - What is one of the most important things the Veteran community can do to help bridge the civilian-military divide?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 6 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-08-06T13:55:21-04:00

Thank you CSM Boersma for your service and dedication!

Response by Jordan Gaudard made Aug 6 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-08-06T14:33:07-04:00

CSM Boersma,
My question is pertaining to winning Drill Sergeant of the Year. For not being a combat MOS, do you feel as if you were at a disadvantage for the higher level competition, and what did you have to work on the most?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 3:06 AM

2015-08-07T03:06:21-04:00

CSM Boersma, no questions, just want to thank you for dedication to serving our country, taking care of our soldiers, and well as for reaching out to our community here at RallyPoint!

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Aug 9 at 2015 12:57 PM

2015-08-09T12:57:17-04:00

Congratulations on your achievements! It would have been an honor to work along side of you.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Aug 9 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-08-09T13:22:23-04:00

CSM Private RallyPoint Member -- thank you for stopping by to chat with all of us. My question -- at times, some RallyPoint members have questioned whether it would be a good idea for all new Officers to go through Basic Training prior to arriving at their first units. As someone who has had a long and successful career working alongside Officers at all pay grades, and who has also set the gold standard in Basic Training leadership, what is your opinion on this idea? Thank you.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 9 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-08-09T13:27:42-04:00

First of all, CSM Private RallyPoint Member, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Secondly, I welcome you to Rally Point.
And thirdly, I believe that you are well on your way; to showing and telling us how to lead.
KUDOS! KUDOS! KUDOS, DRILL SERGEANT.
-With My Love in Him, SPC Margaret C Higgins US Army (Ret)

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 9 at 2015 1:49 PM

2015-08-09T13:49:53-04:00

What can we do to help the less fortunate among us? There are far too many vets with mental illness and are homeless. This is a national disgrace.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2015 5:26 PM

2015-08-09T17:26:03-04:00

CSM Billie Boersma,
Welcome and thank you for joining us in a discussion. My question is this. Are there any programs in place to make sure Soldiers are placed in a unit after A.I.T. to specifically work in their chosen MOS? I re-classed from 94E (Radio and COMSEC repairer) to 35F, because honestly the entire 3 years I was a 94E I NEVER worked on repairing COMSEC equipment and instead was placed in a "COMSEC" custodial position, which basically I was just in charge of keeping the 1523E's locked up and inventoried, all the while working with the generator mechanics in the GSE section of my company. My AIT was 6 months long when I went through and graduated with honors. I constantly begged my leadership to transfer me to the unit down the road since they had a communications and electronics (C&E) shop and I actually would've performed my job. But was never sent, even though my leadership said they were "trying their best" to transfer me. Till this day, I feel as though it was a waste of my time and a waste of government funding to train me up and never have me do my job. Since then, I have literally forgotten the majority of what I learned in 94E A.I.T., which is a damn shame! At least I got a bonus out of that MOS.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 9 at 2015 7:08 PM

2015-08-09T19:08:05-04:00

What are your thoughts on new recruits, and why do you think that way?

Response by SSG James Yellis made Aug 9 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-08-09T21:45:34-04:00

CSM what was one of the hardest things you had to over come in your career?

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Aug 10 at 2015 10:56 AM

2015-08-10T10:56:05-04:00

Thanks for spending your time with us, CSM Private RallyPoint Member! I'm curious how your own personal techniques in training and instructing evolved over your years as a Drill SGT. Also, what was the biggest lesson you learned in that role which you now use today?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 12:03 PM

2015-08-10T12:03:35-04:00

Thank you, CSM Private RallyPoint Member, for taking the time to answer questions here on RallyPoint. My question is simple: What are your thoughts on servant leadership?

Response by SSG John Erny made Aug 10 at 2015 1:11 PM

2015-08-10T13:11:21-04:00

CSM,

I have served both on the Active side and Guard side of the Army, both some of the best years of my life that I will forever treasure. I must ask a question about the changes I have seen in the Army:

Do you think that the level of discipline has changed over the years? I can not help but think that soldiers are not as respectful of Rank as they once were. When I was lower enlisted and a E-8 or 9, or Battalion grade officer or above walked into the work area people locked up an thought the worst and prayed that they were just doing a meet and greet. We really did fear high ranking NCO's and Officers.

I did not see that in the newer soldiers in the last few years that I was still in; soldiers both active and guard/reserve. I even had a Acrive Duty 4th ID LT return a chicken wing salute and reply, “Hi, how you doin'” I was both shocked and offended by her actions.

Response by SFC Joseph James made Aug 10 at 2015 3:31 PM

2015-08-10T15:31:53-04:00

Thank you for being apart of this Q/A! What time in your career did you know you were going until retirement? Who helped mentor you to become the senior NCO that you are today? For me a Specialist took me under his wing. Thank you for doing this CSM Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Aug 10 at 2015 5:44 PM

2015-08-10T17:44:58-04:00

CSM Private RallyPoint Member -- how comfortable/ready do you believe the Army would be with having a female SMA (Sergeant Major of the Army, for non-Army folks)? Are there still cultural barriers to this happening?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 6:04 PM

2015-08-10T18:04:47-04:00

CSM Boersma,

How do you feel the current Army climate is with the widening divide between leaders who speak there mind and the constant forcing of political correctness down the entire force's throat?

Furthermore, are you in favor of the mandatory training? I cite two examples: The current Army SHARP training suggests that more SHARP training will bring down the numbers on sexual harassment. (its in the slides, and I remember it very vividly because it kept coming back to it until I selected it as the right answer). Furthermore, a well respected scientific journal had the numbers come out on the MRT program, and they aren't as good as we thought they would be...the end all be all question: should we continue the current pace with mandatory training (SHARP, EO, Suicide Prevention), or should we focus more on discipline, morale, and basic soldiering (ie, D&C, more team building, etc) ?

Response by SPC Alejandro Martinez made Aug 10 at 2015 10:08 PM

2015-08-10T22:08:24-04:00

Congratulations, CSM Boersma, and thank you for donating your time and wisdom with us. I have three questions for you. Question 1. On the subject of leniency or toughness towards new recruits, how do you decide how to deal with the inability to adapt to discipline or regulations? Question 2. On the subject of climbing the career ladder, how did you overcome any residual goo-old-boy system antics and/or red tape? Question 3. Have you yourself ever determined independently if a soldier was being bullied by his/her superiors and how did/would you deal with it? Thank you for cooperating with RallyPoint to stir up soldier/veteran interest in their community of fellows.

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 12:09 PM

2015-08-11T12:09:55-04:00

CSM Boersma: I have a very squared away E-6 in my shop who is considering getting out after the 8 year mark. We hit the reverse lotto lately in the jr. enlisted soldiers have have been sent our way. Any advice on how to talk the good ones into staying in? In my opinion it is too often we loose good NCOs.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 4:01 PM

2015-08-11T16:01:03-04:00

Friendly reminder: questions outside the scope may not be answered. I'm looking forward to talking to you about leadership qualities, resilience, civilian-military divide and Drill Sgt. of the Year for the Army! These are my personal views, not those of the Department of the Army.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Aug 11 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-08-11T16:12:58-04:00

CSM Billie Boersma , Thank you for your service.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2015 4:15 PM

2015-08-11T16:15:21-04:00

CSM, what do you think the biggest challenge is with the "mind set" and "culture change" within the Army of Once a Soldier, Always a Soldier, Soldier for Life?

Response by CSM William DeWolf made Mar 17 at 2017 12:01 PM

2017-03-17T12:01:24-04:00

Before retirement I saw my responsibility as a mentor as being very important. I'd like to hear your response concerning mentoring! Thanks.