SMA Ray Chandler 3130889 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-193453"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ray+Chandler%2C+14th+Sergeant+Major+of+the+Army%2C+here+for+a+live+Q%26A.+What+questions+do+you+have+for+me%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0ARay Chandler, 14th Sergeant Major of the Army, here for a live Q&amp;A. What questions do you have for me?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/ray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="0588c83bfd3cfa36ed399acc92598068" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/453/for_gallery_v2/ba36098f.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/453/large_v3/ba36098f.jpg" alt="Ba36098f" /></a></div></div>Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III was sworn in as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army on March 1, 2011. SMA Chandler held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career ranging from tank crewman to command sergeant major. As Sergeant Major of the Army, Chandler served as the Army Chief of Staff&#39;s personal adviser on all enlisted‐related matters, particularly in areas affecting Soldier training and quality of life. He devoted the majority of his time to traveling throughout the Army observing training, and talking to Soldiers and their Families. He sat on a wide variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their Families and is routinely invited to testify before Congress. Chandler was born in Whittier, California and entered the Army in Brockton, Massachusetts in September 1981. Chandler attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and graduated as a 19E Armor Crewman.<br /><br />SMA Chandler served in all tank crewman positions and had multiple tours as a troop, squadron and regimental master gunner. He served in the 1st Infantry Division (FWD), 2d Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 3d Armor Division, 2d ACR, 3d ACR, U.S. Army Armor School, and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Chandler served as a 1SG in four different detachments, troops and companies. As a Sergeant Major, he served as Operations SGM in 1/2 ACR and as CSM in 1/7 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (OIF II 2004‐2005), United States Army Garrison Fort Leavenworth, KS and the United States Army Armor School CSM. Chandler was assigned as the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy CSM in December 2007. In June 2009, Chandler became the 19th Commandant of USASMA and the first enlisted commandant in USASMA history. SMA Chandler&#39;s military and civilian education included all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, M60A3 and M1/M1A1 Tank Master Gunner Course, Battle Staff NCO Course, First Sergeant Course, Basic Instructor Training, Total Army Instructor Trainer Course, Small Group Instructor Trainer Course, Video Tele‐Training Instructor Trainer Course, Army Management Staff Course, Garrison Command Sergeant Major Course and various other professional development courses. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University.<br /><br />In February 2015, SMA (R) Chandler was appointed By Senator Jack Reed D-RI to serve on the National Commission on the Future of the Army (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/">http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/</a>) as a commissioner. The commission submitted its report to President Obama and to the 114th Congress on January 28, 2016 and was released from commission duty on April 28, 2016. On June 1, 2015 SMA Chandler was hired by Lockheed Martin as a business development principal analyst and live in Orlando, Florida. Chandler continues to serve after retirement on various boards and councils. They include the Camaraderie Foundation (camaraderiefoundation.org), the First Data Corporation Military Advisory Council (firstdata.org) and American Securities (american-securities.com). SMA Chandler spends his free time travel, sampling craft beers and good bourbon. <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/)">404 Not Found</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description"></p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> Ray Chandler, 14th Sergeant Major of the Army, here for a live Q&A. What questions do you have for me? 2017-11-29T16:19:21-05:00 SMA Ray Chandler 3130889 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-193453"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ray+Chandler%2C+14th+Sergeant+Major+of+the+Army%2C+here+for+a+live+Q%26A.+What+questions+do+you+have+for+me%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0ARay Chandler, 14th Sergeant Major of the Army, here for a live Q&amp;A. What questions do you have for me?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/ray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="d4dc783ea25bdbdc0bf5c2e6db9f2a98" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/453/for_gallery_v2/ba36098f.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/453/large_v3/ba36098f.jpg" alt="Ba36098f" /></a></div></div>Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III was sworn in as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army on March 1, 2011. SMA Chandler held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career ranging from tank crewman to command sergeant major. As Sergeant Major of the Army, Chandler served as the Army Chief of Staff&#39;s personal adviser on all enlisted‐related matters, particularly in areas affecting Soldier training and quality of life. He devoted the majority of his time to traveling throughout the Army observing training, and talking to Soldiers and their Families. He sat on a wide variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their Families and is routinely invited to testify before Congress. Chandler was born in Whittier, California and entered the Army in Brockton, Massachusetts in September 1981. Chandler attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and graduated as a 19E Armor Crewman.<br /><br />SMA Chandler served in all tank crewman positions and had multiple tours as a troop, squadron and regimental master gunner. He served in the 1st Infantry Division (FWD), 2d Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 3d Armor Division, 2d ACR, 3d ACR, U.S. Army Armor School, and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. Chandler served as a 1SG in four different detachments, troops and companies. As a Sergeant Major, he served as Operations SGM in 1/2 ACR and as CSM in 1/7 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (OIF II 2004‐2005), United States Army Garrison Fort Leavenworth, KS and the United States Army Armor School CSM. Chandler was assigned as the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy CSM in December 2007. In June 2009, Chandler became the 19th Commandant of USASMA and the first enlisted commandant in USASMA history. SMA Chandler&#39;s military and civilian education included all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, M60A3 and M1/M1A1 Tank Master Gunner Course, Battle Staff NCO Course, First Sergeant Course, Basic Instructor Training, Total Army Instructor Trainer Course, Small Group Instructor Trainer Course, Video Tele‐Training Instructor Trainer Course, Army Management Staff Course, Garrison Command Sergeant Major Course and various other professional development courses. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University.<br /><br />In February 2015, SMA (R) Chandler was appointed By Senator Jack Reed D-RI to serve on the National Commission on the Future of the Army (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/">http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/</a>) as a commissioner. The commission submitted its report to President Obama and to the 114th Congress on January 28, 2016 and was released from commission duty on April 28, 2016. On June 1, 2015 SMA Chandler was hired by Lockheed Martin as a business development principal analyst and live in Orlando, Florida. Chandler continues to serve after retirement on various boards and councils. They include the Camaraderie Foundation (camaraderiefoundation.org), the First Data Corporation Military Advisory Council (firstdata.org) and American Securities (american-securities.com). SMA Chandler spends his free time travel, sampling craft beers and good bourbon. <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/)">404 Not Found</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description"></p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> Ray Chandler, 14th Sergeant Major of the Army, here for a live Q&A. What questions do you have for me? 2017-11-29T16:19:21-05:00 2017-11-29T16:19:21-05:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 3130932 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA Chandler, what is the sentiment concerning the Army adopting new changes and various social media platforms? Is the pace that they&#39;re being approached substantial? Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 29 at 2017 4:32 PM 2017-11-29T16:32:14-05:00 2017-11-29T16:32:14-05:00 SGT Joseph Gunderson 3130949 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am curious as to your opinions on the current transgender policies in the military. Speaking from someone who has been at the very top of the chain and privy to the creation of policy, what are your views in regards to allowing for the open service of transgender service members? Do you believe that the government should be paying the bill for any medical procedures dealing with this condition? Do you believe that there is even a way to incorporate these service members into the system without compromising standards or operating procedures? Lastly, with accepting applicants with a documented mental/behavioral health condition, such as transgenderism, do you think that this might open the door for other less than qualified applicants to site these cases as a reason for their own issues to be overlooked when entering service? May this also occur with service members who have served and were forced to be discharged or medically retired for certain mental/behavioral health concerns as well? Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Nov 29 at 2017 4:38 PM 2017-11-29T16:38:23-05:00 2017-11-29T16:38:23-05:00 Erin Nelson 3131025 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>An honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintance Sir.<br />My question is along the line of new or advancing technologies. When a civilian makes a reasonable determination that a a newly designed or developed technology appears to have some military capacity or component which may have components that would potentially fall into the realm of National Security, might you be able to share (if you are aware) what the next reasonable course of action might be or what contact point should be utilized for the best protection of said technology pending determinant review of an authorized contact point.<br /><br />I thank you for time and consideration in Response.<br /> Response by Erin Nelson made Nov 29 at 2017 5:05 PM 2017-11-29T17:05:05-05:00 2017-11-29T17:05:05-05:00 SPC Margaret Higgins 3131027 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-193454"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ray+Chandler%2C+14th+Sergeant+Major+of+the+Army%2C+here+for+a+live+Q%26A.+What+questions+do+you+have+for+me%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0ARay Chandler, 14th Sergeant Major of the Army, here for a live Q&amp;A. What questions do you have for me?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/ray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="9bdc263b4d7f612ea248380a3a9b58e7" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/454/for_gallery_v2/044b0bd7.JPG"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/454/large_v3/044b0bd7.JPG" alt="044b0bd7" /></a></div></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="526043" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/526043-00z-ad-command-sergeant-majorad">SMA Ray Chandler</a>: NICE TO HAVE YOU WITH US: SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY RAY CHANDLER!<br />Sergeant Major of the Army Ray Chandler: In your estimation, is the United States of America ready for a nuclear war?<br />Also, Sergeant Major of the Army Chandler: what is your view on having Transvestites and Gay People in the Army? Do you believe that having said military members weakens today&#39;s Army? And, I decidedly mean No disrespect to Gay People Or Transvestites.<br />I was just curious about all of this; Sergeant Major of the Army Ray Chandler.<br />AND, IF I MAY SAY SO MYSELF: IT IS AN EXCEEDING HONOR TO HAVE YOU WITH US HERE ON RALLY POINT- SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY RAY CHANDLER!<br />MAY GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF ETERNALLY BLESS YOU AND YOURS-<br />Most Sincerely and Most Respectfully, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Nov 29 at 2017 5:06 PM 2017-11-29T17:06:34-05:00 2017-11-29T17:06:34-05:00 TSgt Ernest Dalton 3131258 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There was a picture of Army Troops with the caption stating the flag was not displayed properly. Can you tell me why the stars should not be facing forward on the right sleeve? Response by TSgt Ernest Dalton made Nov 29 at 2017 6:12 PM 2017-11-29T18:12:52-05:00 2017-11-29T18:12:52-05:00 SGT Philip Roncari 3131384 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA Raymond F. Chandler lll- My question concerns the supposed upcoming waiver policy on recruiting,having been in the Army when &quot;President Johnson&#39;s 100,000&quot; was instituted back in the early days of the Vietnam war,and saw first hand the lowering of standards did not work in the field and I think led to needless casualties to the marginally uneducated troops used in this experiment,all to bring up troop levels .I remain &quot;Steadfast and Loyal &quot; Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Nov 29 at 2017 7:03 PM 2017-11-29T19:03:22-05:00 2017-11-29T19:03:22-05:00 SMA Ray Chandler 3131581 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hey everyone thanks for your questions. All of my answers will be my own, aren&#39;t screened by the Department of the Army and are just my thoughts. Thanks to Rally Point for this awesome opportunity!! Response by SMA Ray Chandler made Nov 29 at 2017 8:37 PM 2017-11-29T20:37:08-05:00 2017-11-29T20:37:08-05:00 SSG James Behnke 3131637 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><br />Greetings SMA!<br /><br />I would love to know your thoughts on the role/influence social media groups such as U.S. Army W.T.F! Moments serve in relation to supporting service members. I&#39;m sure you have heard or seen one or more posts that have blown up and either spurred a 15-6 or brought one to light. I believe initially these types of groups were primarily used and viewed as an outlet and source of humor. Obviously, that role/influence has changed/evolved/etc.<br /><br />Do you believe the evolving influence is more of a positive or negative one? Why or why not? Response by SSG James Behnke made Nov 29 at 2017 8:59 PM 2017-11-29T20:59:03-05:00 2017-11-29T20:59:03-05:00 CPT Aaron Kletzing 3131652 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Wow, <a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="526043" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/526043-00z-ad-command-sergeant-majorad">SMA Ray Chandler</a> is doing a Q&amp;A with all of us on RP. That is so awesome. What an honor to have him join us here, can’t wait to see all the stuff he writes. America! Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 29 at 2017 9:04 PM 2017-11-29T21:04:24-05:00 2017-11-29T21:04:24-05:00 SSG Warren Swan 3131705 <div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-193489"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image"> <a href='https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me%3Futm_source%3DFacebook%26utm_medium%3Dorganic%26utm_campaign%3DShare%20to%20facebook' target="_blank" class='social-share-button facebook-share-button'><i class="fa fa-facebook-f"></i></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ray+Chandler%2C+14th+Sergeant+Major+of+the+Army%2C+here+for+a+live+Q%26A.+What+questions+do+you+have+for+me%3F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rallypoint.com%2Fanswers%2Fray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me&amp;via=RallyPoint" target="_blank" class="social-share-button twitter-custom-share-button"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></a> <a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0ARay Chandler, 14th Sergeant Major of the Army, here for a live Q&amp;A. What questions do you have for me?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/ray-chandler-14th-sergeant-major-of-the-army-here-for-a-live-q-a-what-questions-do-you-have-for-me" target="_blank" class="social-share-button email-share-button"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></a> </div> <a class="fancybox" rel="fb992974db4b0c7ec1cec7f63ab9e54f" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/489/for_gallery_v2/cfac7883.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/193/489/large_v3/cfac7883.jpg" alt="Cfac7883" /></a></div></div>SMA Chandler thanks for coming to Rallypoint!<br /> <br /> Gotta get the first question out of the way....Are you still watching? <br /><br />My follow on questions are:<br /><br />1. With all of the issues the Army is facing from quality troop recruitment, to training and training budgets, to quality of life issues, why is it that it seems the focus is in the wrong place? I remember when we went from Class A&#39;s to ASU&#39;s. Folks went nuts along with the change from BDU&#39;s to ACU&#39;s. Now, from ASU&#39;s to the Pink and Greens (proposed but supposedly going to happen). The Army for one, but the military as a whole is focused on &quot;looking good, vs. BEING good&quot;. Any input as to why? Is there a rhyme and a reason behind this?<br /><br />2. I&#39;ve watched as the SGM/CSM ranks have become more accepting to women now compared to when I came in back in the 90&#39;s. I also got to see women get farther along in the flag ranks, with GEN Dunwoody as the first female four star. What I have NOT seen is a female nominee for SMA, ANY Div CDR/CSM, Combatant commander or their Senior Enlisted Advisors. No service Chiefs or in the Army&#39;s case, the SMA, and not many even in their Senior Staff. Is there a prerequisite to becoming any of what I listed? Why is it only Combat Arms gets these leadership positions when there is no longer a &quot;front line of battle&quot;, and women now are in equal chance of being in harms way than ever before? They attend the same leadership schools as us, attend the same specialty schools as us (Ranger being a big one, SF will be the next hurdle), and are side by side with their male counterparts in training, mentoring, welfare of the troops and families, promotion potential, yet are still regulated to &quot;support roles&quot; in upper leadership positions. When are we fully going to integrate women into the ranks beyond COL and a token flag officer?<br /><br />3. With all that is going on in NK and the world, I&#39;m noticing another heavy push to swell the ranks. I&#39;m of the belief this is needed to maintain our role as leaders and maintainers of freedom in this world, but I fear we&#39;re going to have this massive build up of troops, equipment, and technology across the board, and suddenly like before have a sequestration pt2. I believe it&#39;ll hit harder the next time, but have not seen anything from any of the major military sites or leadership addressing this. It seems they&#39;re pushing out the message &quot;We WANT you now&quot;, but not talking about the future of &quot;We don&#39;t NEED you, or you, or you anymore&quot;. Have you heard differently?<br /><br /> I apologize for the long questions, but it&#39;s not everyday the SMA pops up anywhere...even on Ft. Myer where you can stop and talk to him. <br /><br />Duty First SMA!! Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 29 at 2017 9:24 PM 2017-11-29T21:24:41-05:00 2017-11-29T21:24:41-05:00 SPC Anthony Schepis 3132108 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Whats your opinion on the Army not allowing beards? Also are you enjoying the civilian life? Response by SPC Anthony Schepis made Nov 30 at 2017 1:30 AM 2017-11-30T01:30:44-05:00 2017-11-30T01:30:44-05:00 SGT Cynthia Anthony 3132257 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Good Morning. I have so much to ask you that I don&#39;t even know where to start. I guess I&#39;ll start with Army discharges. I have been trying for 27 years to get my discharge upgraded. I do not even know what to do anymore. I went to my congressman office here in Columbus, Georgia with little assistance. Can you help me? [login to see] if you can because I am out of options at this point. Thank you sir. Response by SGT Cynthia Anthony made Nov 30 at 2017 3:58 AM 2017-11-30T03:58:01-05:00 2017-11-30T03:58:01-05:00 SPC Robert Coventry 3132265 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>God Speed Sergeant Major of the Army I hope he does a good job Response by SPC Robert Coventry made Nov 30 at 2017 4:01 AM 2017-11-30T04:01:00-05:00 2017-11-30T04:01:00-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 3132470 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sergeant Major Chandler,<br /><br />I am privileged to be able to speak with an Army elite such as yourself in hopes of seeking the knowledge I am in need of. The following question pertains to a situation I am currently going through: In 2015 I was accused of certain offenses due to an altercation I had while on leave visiting family, I have been on trial ever since, and always communicated with my Chain of Command, I am still going through the process on the civilian and fought for the opportunity to remain in the military, unfortunately my trial has continuously been postponed through no fault of my own and now my command wants to demote me because the case is not going forward, can this actually happen? I was informed just now that upon my return with again no determination I will be reduced in rank because the regulations state I should be reduced in rank while undergoing civilian trial. I would appreciate your guidance and knowledge in this.<br /><br />Very Respectfully,<br /><br />Brauli Peña-Peralta<br />SGT, US Army Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 6:53 AM 2017-11-30T06:53:10-05:00 2017-11-30T06:53:10-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 3132516 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sergeant Major,<br /><br />I am curious as to what advice you’d give an NCO who is going through a civilian trial and his command is threatening to reduce him in rank if his trial comes without resolution although that is out of his hands? Your advice is appreciated Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 7:15 AM 2017-11-30T07:15:56-05:00 2017-11-30T07:15:56-05:00 SSgt Jim Gilmore 3132540 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA Chandler, First thank you for your dedication to protecting our nation. We have been involved in a couple of wars over in the ME for over a decade now. Our troops are all tired. Tired of continuing deployments, tired from injuries, juggling family, expenses and in general, just plain surviving.<br /><br />What do you see as the immediate needs of not just the Army but all our branches? Do you think it&#39;s time to reinstate the draft and this time include women?<br /><br />Thank you! Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Nov 30 at 2017 7:26 AM 2017-11-30T07:26:42-05:00 2017-11-30T07:26:42-05:00 PFC James Franklin 3132606 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>What made you choose UCP as the pattern for the original ACU? Did it affect your decision to end sleeve-rolling? Response by PFC James Franklin made Nov 30 at 2017 8:07 AM 2017-11-30T08:07:45-05:00 2017-11-30T08:07:45-05:00 SGT Dave Tracy 3132929 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Greetings SMA Chandler!<br /><br />We all have served under Officers who were high caliber and others who were, well...not. The same can be said for NCOs, but that&#39;s not germane to where I&#39;m going with this. <br /><br />Regardless of opinions on whether the more effective leaders among Officers come from NCO or lower Enlisted ranks, do you feel high-speed, motivated Enlisted side SMs who might be so inclined, should be encouraged to become Officers, or is their talent and experience better utilized on the Enlisted (NCO) side--from the Army&#39;s perspective specifically?<br /><br />Thanks Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 30 at 2017 10:06 AM 2017-11-30T10:06:47-05:00 2017-11-30T10:06:47-05:00 Maj Marty Hogan 3134644 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>First and foremost- thank you SMA for visiting with us and sharing your valuable time. <br /><br />I am an Air Guard guy and over the last year I have spent time working with our Army brethren on our State&#39;s SPP with Kosovo. While we have worked really hard to make in-roads into this Army centric program, we made some some great progress to unifying Team Iowa last year. I have a great working relationship with the outgoing Army Coordinator and now we are making new contacts with the new guy. Curious on your vision for more &quot;purple&quot; exercises to continue to the one team one fight construct. <br /><br />Thanks again for joining us here on RP. Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Nov 30 at 2017 9:04 PM 2017-11-30T21:04:04-05:00 2017-11-30T21:04:04-05:00 SFC William Farrell 3134939 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="526043" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/526043-00z-ad-command-sergeant-majorad">SMA Ray Chandler</a> I am a Vietnam veteran and was wondering how do you feel about how we were treated when we returned due to the medias portraying us as drug addicts and baby killers? My own future father in law asked me when I first met him, I told him I did four year on active duty in Korea and Vietnam. He told me he was Army in WWII and then asked me if I was a baby killer or drug addict. I was dumbfounded when he asked that and while I remember that question from him all too well, I do not recall what my response was. I certainly wasn&#39;t either. Alcoholic maybe, but that question didn&#39;t come up! Thank yo for your distinguished service to this great nation in a position of great responsibility. Response by SFC William Farrell made Nov 30 at 2017 11:32 PM 2017-11-30T23:32:29-05:00 2017-11-30T23:32:29-05:00 SFC Kenneth Hunnell 3136698 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When will you complete your profile, it would be good to know something about you. In that way, i would know what to ask you. Your intro only says what you have done at the top Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Dec 1 at 2017 4:18 PM 2017-12-01T16:18:20-05:00 2017-12-01T16:18:20-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 3139892 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Garry Owen SMA, <br />My NCOs and I have a growing concern with the growing lack of standards and discipline that we are dealing with from soldiers coming fresh out of basic, I easily spent at least 6 months trying to coach and mentor soldier(s) in the right direction before deciding if they are worth the effort or not (90% of my time for a single soldier, 10% of my time for everything else), what is the Army doing to combat this issue? Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 2:17 AM 2017-12-03T02:17:15-05:00 2017-12-03T02:17:15-05:00 SSG Dave Johnston 3139919 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&quot;06/&#39;07 I was assigned to US Army HRC, Alexandrea VA. One day Gen Hernandez and I cross paths; I&#39;d pulled change and marbles out of my pocket to buy coffee, and he remarked that he had lost his...Several months later as he was reassigned to a new command, he came by the various offices to give his regards. As we shook hands, I passed several marbles to his; he looked at me and I reminded him that he told me he had lost his... Was I wrong? Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Dec 3 at 2017 3:15 AM 2017-12-03T03:15:55-05:00 2017-12-03T03:15:55-05:00 CPT Aaron Kletzing 3140011 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="526043" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/526043-00z-ad-command-sergeant-majorad">SMA Ray Chandler</a> who was your mentor in the Army and what was the biggest thing you learned from him/her? Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 3 at 2017 6:38 AM 2017-12-03T06:38:17-05:00 2017-12-03T06:38:17-05:00 SSG Antoinette Azevedo Toscano 3140587 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III, I was hoping that you would continue to take questions after your live event. During my military career, I saw many senior enlisted service members that I considered to be intelligent, capable, well-read, and with excellent leadership skills and a college education leave the Army and end up working at jobs like a security guard at a retirement community as one example. I asked each person about employment challenges and learned from what they had been wrestling with. When I left the Army as a dental hygienist after eleven years the following Monday I began my new job in Information Technology--with a bachelors degree in Economics--talk about salesmanship. Within three years I was heading an IT Division for a large municipality. Part of my success was preparation, the other was luck, with a good dose of timing thrown in. However, the military&#39;s transition program did not do a single thing to help me to succeed after my time in the Army. Because of my service, I was far behind my civilian peers and ignorant of even the language of business. In fact, all of the so-called military assistance came too late in the process and I had to figure it out all on my own. The other thing that played in my favor is that I looked younger than I was. I noticed a lot of age discrimination in the workplace. So, the years spent on active duty hurts our employment chances later. The other challenge is that civilian organizations say they want to hire veterans, but they are not committed to living up to the terms of the negotiated workplace accommodations--in my experience. Here is my question. How do we bring these concerns to a national discussion? Response by SSG Antoinette Azevedo Toscano made Dec 3 at 2017 11:37 AM 2017-12-03T11:37:46-05:00 2017-12-03T11:37:46-05:00 SGT Jacob Yuhas 3141554 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA Chandler,<br /><br />This is more TRADOC related. I&#39;m sure you heard that the Army is beginning to re-implement Drill Sergeants into AIT. I&#39;m incredibly happy about this since discipline wasn&#39;t the best back at Fort Gordon during the summer of 2013. I read in the Army Times that AIT PLT Sergeants were originally introduced to get IETs used to becoming team leaders/squad leaders (correct me if I am wrong)- however, it was determined it was too early to do so. I concur since nobody had experienced their first unit yet. This is a great step for the US Army to restore discipline within the lower ranks which I believe is lacking in some units but eventually corrected when the Soldier is under good leadership, it saves time and eliminates a time sinkhole to allow more time for planning and training in the long run.<br /><br />However, I found it extremely demoralizing during AIT that mass punishments were put into place when other peers and myself did the right thing from start to finish and displayed the Army Values but the company Gomer Pyle screwed up off-post passes for the Soldiers who deserved them. <br /><br />Since AIT (non-OSUT AIT) is about the Soldier&#39;s continuing individual development, should mass punishment be reduced for the Soldiers who do the right thing and be rewarded with privileges while those who continue to not do the right thing be stripped of those rights (going off post or to the waffle house on Sunday)? I.E. Begin separating the undisciplined from those who are disciplined? Do you think that would motivate IETs who break the rules to fix themselves and follow the lead of their peers who do the right thing? I understand that Equal Opportunity may be in question here but I feel as if those of whom act like adults and future NCOs should be treated as adults and future NCOs; while those who act like children receive correctional PT. <br /><br />On the other hand, a Soldier eventually understands that when any Soldier screws up on mission, it may put other lives on the line and that is what the mass punishment teaches over and over again and the training starts in garrison during basic training and AIT. I see what mass punishment teaches in the long run for everyone but for some IETs it was not effective for individual disciplinary issues. I was a tad salty near the end of my 4 1/2 month AIT but I saw what mass punishment taught and I value that. I see it as another strong stress test as well. I feel accomplished that I maintained my barring during my duration at Fort Gordon even though I knew the mass punishments were not of my doing. All in all, in Basic Training I expected mass corrective training, in AIT I didn&#39;t expect it as much. Would the new approach work along with the re-implementation of Drill Sergeants from your point of view? Response by SGT Jacob Yuhas made Dec 3 at 2017 7:50 PM 2017-12-03T19:50:46-05:00 2017-12-03T19:50:46-05:00 SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member 3141598 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hello SMA Chandler. I have a unique situation. At 7 years I received and lost my promotable status because I failed a pt test by 18 seconds. I tried to reclass. Retention said I didn&#39;t have enough time as I RCPed in a year. My points were maxed out all year. I decided to leave the army. I finished ACAP made a solid plan. Called for orders and I was told I still had a lil over two years on my contract. I was grandfathered into the 14 years as a SPC. I was told I could not reenlist, that I had to get promoted first. I gained weight during the transition process. I have spent the last year losing weight from being 16% over max body fat to only being over by 2%. I&#39;m at 9.5 years. I want to stay active. Is there any exception to policy, or anything I can do? Thank you for your time SMA. Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 8:13 PM 2017-12-03T20:13:55-05:00 2017-12-03T20:13:55-05:00 SGT Christopher Clarke 3141623 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Forgive me if this question has already been asked, who’s winning the Army Navy game this weekend? My son and I will be attending for the first time and I’m beyond excited..!! Go Army, Hooah..!! Response by SGT Christopher Clarke made Dec 3 at 2017 8:19 PM 2017-12-03T20:19:45-05:00 2017-12-03T20:19:45-05:00 COL Thomas F. 3141723 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA - throughout my career (including my prior service time), I&#39;ve come across NCOs that both exemplified the idea of a leader, and others that just want to do their job. With this in mind, has the Army ever considered bringing back the old Specialist E-4 - E-7 ranks and encouraging Soldiers to increase proficiency on their corps jobs? Not all Soldiers (including some officers) are not leader material and IMHO should not be forced to be leader/NCO if they don&#39;t have the potential or enthusiasm to. Case in point - I had a SSG in my engineer platoon who was happy pushing dirt with his dozer. He had no desire to be a PSG or even a SSG. He just wanted to push dirt and was good at it. I got in trouble by the BN SGM putting his desires on his NCOER. <br /><br />I would say pay would not be an issue, so what would be the underlying reason they has not be pursued or even raised? <br /><br />BTW - I ran into you at the DD/McDonalds/Taco Bell food court in the Pentagon during my tour. Pretty surreal from my POV. I think you were like - &quot;who the hell is this guy? I just want to eat my lunch&quot; lol. Response by COL Thomas F. made Dec 3 at 2017 9:05 PM 2017-12-03T21:05:06-05:00 2017-12-03T21:05:06-05:00 PO2 Steven Koch 3142136 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Good morning Sergeant Major. I hope you enjoy the mid-watch. Response by PO2 Steven Koch made Dec 4 at 2017 12:50 AM 2017-12-04T00:50:53-05:00 2017-12-04T00:50:53-05:00 SGT Frank Pritchett 3143827 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;m late on this question, but has been done to protect Soldiers from Whistle Blowing?. My career was destroyed because of what I did in 1985 but I was aloud to retire as an E-5 with 25 years of service. Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Dec 4 at 2017 3:14 PM 2017-12-04T15:14:10-05:00 2017-12-04T15:14:10-05:00 SSgt Dwight Deatherage 3144481 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA Thank You for your Service and the great advice you provide Response by SSgt Dwight Deatherage made Dec 4 at 2017 7:11 PM 2017-12-04T19:11:38-05:00 2017-12-04T19:11:38-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 3144525 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.stripes.com/judge-obama-sex-assault-comments-unlawful-command-influence-1.225974">https://www.stripes.com/judge-obama-sex-assault-comments-unlawful-command-influence-1.225974</a> more than 60% of all prisoners in military prisons are sex offenders the civilian prisons are about 11%. Do you think that Military men are 6 times more likely to be a rapist or is the UCMJ influenced by the political winds? After all, Generals have been relived for acting against what they saw as false convictions and Army directive 2013-20 ties OER and NCOER to supporting SHARP which seems to be a clear violation of the Unlawful Command Influence article in the UCMJ.#saveourheroes <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/238/164/qrc/2929385100.jpg?1512433620"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="https://www.stripes.com/judge-obama-sex-assault-comments-unlawful-command-influence-1.225974">Judge: Obama sex assault comments &#39;unlawful command influence&#39;</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">Two defendants in military sexual assault cases cannot be punitively discharged, if found guilty, because of “unlawful command influence” derived from comments made by President Barack Obama, a judge ruled in a Hawaii military court this week, setting the stage for defense attorneys to use the same arguments in sexual assault cases throughout the military.</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2017 7:33 PM 2017-12-04T19:33:56-05:00 2017-12-04T19:33:56-05:00 SPC Private RallyPoint Member 3144613 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hello SMA. Our unit is having an upcoming brigade ruck. Im currently assigned a profile that saying no rucking. Is an assualt pack considered a ruck or is this a viable alternative? Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2017 8:15 PM 2017-12-04T20:15:46-05:00 2017-12-04T20:15:46-05:00 Michelle Tessaro 3145731 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am so sorry to bother you with this, but I am very concerned about my son&#39;s family. He is at Ranger School in Georgia, and about to Deploy to Kuwait. He is on leave from his civilian job and they have been without pay for 2 months now. Bills for the house, cars and braces are now due and Christmas is right around the corner. How shall I advise my daughter-in-law? She has had communications with her immediate contact in the Unit. She is hesitant to contact the CO, as she does not want to ruffle feathers in the chain of command. The man she is in contact with (and I can&#39;t remember his rank) said it should be the 1st of December. He then said if not the 1st, then the 15th. Her concern, is now the 1st has gone by, and her trust is dropping that pay will be available by the 15th. Thank you in advance Response by Michelle Tessaro made Dec 5 at 2017 9:04 AM 2017-12-05T09:04:02-05:00 2017-12-05T09:04:02-05:00 Capt Bob Abbott 3146122 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA Chandler, what are your thoughts about a Behavioral Health Corps to help train troops to better handle the trauma of combat before they deploy? Response by Capt Bob Abbott made Dec 5 at 2017 11:23 AM 2017-12-05T11:23:38-05:00 2017-12-05T11:23:38-05:00 SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member 3146937 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If a unit in the national guard becomes an FRU what is the likelihood of that unit deploying? Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2017 3:48 PM 2017-12-05T15:48:20-05:00 2017-12-05T15:48:20-05:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 3188529 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SMA, truly appreciate the opportunity to pick your brain!<br /><br />During your time as SMA, what were your biggest concerns with the NCO Corps? How would you have addressed them, had you more time? Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2017 2:53 AM 2017-12-21T02:53:13-05:00 2017-12-21T02:53:13-05:00 CSM Robert Muller 3221979 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How can you serve under a weak ass crybaby president who throws tantrums on twitter like a 4 year old, and insults veterans, the fbi, the Intelligence Services (almost entirely military) and the free press? He is a DIRECT THREAT to the freedom and stability of this nation and a disgrace to America. Response by CSM Robert Muller made Jan 3 at 2018 11:05 AM 2018-01-03T11:05:13-05:00 2018-01-03T11:05:13-05:00 Ignacio Meyers 3226292 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sir my son is currently at Fort Hood Texas he was sent on his hardship mission to South Korea he had a 9 months stent their and he came back very angry and very disgruntled he plays video games now all the time he has a wife they got married before he went between bootcamp and South Korea he saw some stuff over there on the 38th parallel he was there during during the landmines that injured the South Korean troops he was one of the first on scene and now he has some issues I do believe he&#39;s going to counseling. but I don&#39;t think it&#39;s helping I was never in the military my father and a lot of my uncles were I don&#39;t know how to approach him about the situation. Thank you for your time Response by Ignacio Meyers made Jan 4 at 2018 2:37 PM 2018-01-04T14:37:08-05:00 2018-01-04T14:37:08-05:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 3278844 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>My question to you is, why are some reserve units treated as a step child when it comes to training, equipment, and supplies? Soldier&#39;s need the proper training and combat supplies to get the job done. Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 9:20 AM 2018-01-21T09:20:53-05:00 2018-01-21T09:20:53-05:00 PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster 3280484 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SGM Chandler, what is your view of sexual harassment and the part that the #METOO movement has played in bringing this to light. Is the Army going to use &#39;Command Discretion&#39; in punishment and make the victim fear retaliation from command, or will you as SGM of the Army make Soldiers THINK twice before disrespecting the role of ANY Soldier-female or male has in the Army? Second question is that in the Revolutionary War,Civil War and those in between, when the military asked for volunteers and those over 30 came forward for &#39;first time enlistments&#39;, it was ALL who can defend, but now tempo is fast paced and I admit, in 2007 at 37 years old, I tried, was injured and out, but what would you and others say to those who come to serve at OVER 30 years of age when we suggest a different way to achieve the mission in a faster and more efficient way? Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Jan 21 at 2018 6:30 PM 2018-01-21T18:30:57-05:00 2018-01-21T18:30:57-05:00 PO2 Michael Sayre 3286808 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Why hasn&#39;t the military taken it upon themselves to take the outprocessing and separating procedures for leaving the military and treat it as a strategic deployment? Just like we plan which port our unit will depart from, arrive at, and what we&#39;ll do on the ground to a acclimate ourselves; why hasn&#39;t that been reverse-engineered for individuals separating from the service? Response by PO2 Michael Sayre made Jan 23 at 2018 6:11 PM 2018-01-23T18:11:14-05:00 2018-01-23T18:11:14-05:00 2017-11-29T16:19:21-05:00