Posted on Nov 29, 2017
Ray Chandler, 14th Sergeant Major of the Army, here for a live Q&A. What questions do you have for me?
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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'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.
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'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.
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 (http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/) 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.
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'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.
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 (http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/) 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.
Q&A
1st CAV
Military service
Government Administration
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 43
Greetings SMA Chandler!
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's not germane to where I'm going with this.
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's perspective specifically?
Thanks
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's not germane to where I'm going with this.
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's perspective specifically?
Thanks
SMA Ray Chandler
I absolutely believe that the Army provides amazing opportunities for people. If you want to be an officer than by all means go for it. It is good for the Army and for you.
SMA Raymond F. Chandler lll- My question concerns the supposed upcoming waiver policy on recruiting,having been in the Army when "President Johnson's 100,000" 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 "Steadfast and Loyal "
SMA Ray Chandler
Hi SGT Roncari and thanks for your service. Maintaining an all volunteer force is hard, really hard. When I was on Active Duty i was briefed by recruiting command that it took 150 contacts to get one person to enlist. The service constantly review waivers based on the mission. This is an extremely challenging time with almost full employment nationally it makes it even worse. We learned some tough lessons in Vietnam and i trust we wont repeat them.
SGT Philip Roncari
SMA Ray Chandler - Thank you for your rely, I appreciate you taking the time to respond to this old man's fading memories of the his experiences,again thank you.
SMA Ray Chandler: NICE TO HAVE YOU WITH US: SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY RAY CHANDLER!
Sergeant Major of the Army Ray Chandler: In your estimation, is the United States of America ready for a nuclear war?
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's Army? And, I decidedly mean No disrespect to Gay People Or Transvestites.
I was just curious about all of this; Sergeant Major of the Army Ray Chandler.
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!
MAY GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF ETERNALLY BLESS YOU AND YOURS-
Most Sincerely and Most Respectfully, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
Sergeant Major of the Army Ray Chandler: In your estimation, is the United States of America ready for a nuclear war?
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's Army? And, I decidedly mean No disrespect to Gay People Or Transvestites.
I was just curious about all of this; Sergeant Major of the Army Ray Chandler.
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!
MAY GOD ALMIGHTY HIMSELF ETERNALLY BLESS YOU AND YOURS-
Most Sincerely and Most Respectfully, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
SMA Ray Chandler
thank you for your service SPC Higgins. Again as you can see from my earlier responses, trust and the Army Profession is very important to me. Its been some time since I retired so questions on readiness are really not my area of expertise. What I can say is that I trust our leadership to ensure we are ready to do whatever the nation asks us to do in line with our oath to them. I don't think transvestites openly serve. I am fully committed to anyone who wants to serve, can serve, and meets the standard regardless of their sexual orientation.
An honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintance Sir.
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.
I thank you for time and consideration in Response.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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.
I thank you for time and consideration in Response.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SMA Ray Chandler
Hi Erin,
I really cant answer that question. I am just not in a position to say anything because I don't know.
I really cant answer that question. I am just not in a position to say anything because I don't know.
Erin Nelson
Thank you, Hmmm
This seems to be a general concensus. I appreciate.
One would think their would be a protocol and I am that there probably is. Its just probably not often in need or request.
May your days begin in the Amazing....
Only to Improve from there.
This seems to be a general concensus. I appreciate.
One would think their would be a protocol and I am that there probably is. Its just probably not often in need or request.
May your days begin in the Amazing....
Only to Improve from there.
Why hasn'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'll do on the ground to a acclimate ourselves; why hasn't that been reverse-engineered for individuals separating from the service?
SMA Ray Chandler
The Army has a good program PO2 Sayre. It’s not perfect but it is much better than pre 2013
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 'Command Discretion' 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 'first time enlistments', 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?
SMA Ray Chandler
I am not the Sergeant Major of the Army, but when I left the Army in 2015 there was a lot of work that had been done in sexual harassment and Assat. Many more miles to go however. Check out the Army I Am Strong campaign
My question to you is, why are some reserve units treated as a step child when it comes to training, equipment, and supplies? Soldier's need the proper training and combat supplies to get the job done.
SMA Ray Chandler
Some units have a lower priority then others. There is never enough to go all the way around.
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's going to counseling. but I don't think it's helping I was never in the military my father and a lot of my uncles were I don't know how to approach him about the situation. Thank you for your time
SMA, truly appreciate the opportunity to pick your brain!
During your time as SMA, what were your biggest concerns with the NCO Corps? How would you have addressed them, had you more time?
During your time as SMA, what were your biggest concerns with the NCO Corps? How would you have addressed them, had you more time?
SMA Ray Chandler
My apologies for the delayed response MSG Guy. One of my greatest challenges with our NCO Corps was the lack of mentoring from senior leaders down to team leaders. It seemed we all wanted to point fingers and blame each other for our problems. There is a lot of coaching teaching and mentoring that it takes to make a great NCO. We as a group didn't seem to want to take the time to do it very effectively. Take the tattoo issue as a case point. The changes to the tattoo policy were not about some bias about tattoos. It was all about an enforceable standard. Instead of embracing the fact that Army gave clear guidance on what was ok or what was not ok, we got a lot of bitching and complaining. So-the US Army has a NCO Corps that's the envy of the world-awesome-you cant rest on your laurels. You hae to constantly fight to continue to push it to get better. Once you think its good enough you can sit back and drink a beer than we already backsliding. Never give up. Good Luck to you and your Soldiers.
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