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
SMA Chandler,
This is more TRADOC related. I'm sure you heard that the Army is beginning to re-implement Drill Sergeants into AIT. I'm incredibly happy about this since discipline wasn'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.
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.
Since AIT (non-OSUT AIT) is about the Soldier'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.
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't expect it as much. Would the new approach work along with the re-implementation of Drill Sergeants from your point of view?
This is more TRADOC related. I'm sure you heard that the Army is beginning to re-implement Drill Sergeants into AIT. I'm incredibly happy about this since discipline wasn'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.
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.
Since AIT (non-OSUT AIT) is about the Soldier'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.
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't expect it as much. Would the new approach work along with the re-implementation of Drill Sergeants from your point of view?
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'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?
SMA Ray Chandler
There has been a national discussion under the Obama administration which resulted in the Army Soldier For Life program. Just google SFL or Soldier For Life and it will take you to their web page. It’s a great program and a huge improvement. Is it perfect? No but it’s a work in progress.
SSG Antoinette Azevedo Toscano
SMA Ray Chandler - thank you so much for this information. I really appreciate your time.
"06/'07 I was assigned to US Army HRC, Alexandrea VA. One day Gen Hernandez and I cross paths; I'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?
Garry Owen SMA,
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?
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?
SMA Ray Chandler
SSG Hudson-this is an age old issue. No one seems to be satisfied with Soldiers out of AIT or OSUT. My answer is two fold. One TRUST your brothers and sisters they are upholding the standards and AT THE TIME OF GRADUATION that trooper met the standards. Two volunteer for DS or recruiter. Then you can put your own thumbprint on the Acessions process.
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
SFC Kenneth Hunnell
What are your thoughts on the use and sometimes the abuse of counseling of Soldiers.
I believe counseling should be the last resort, of course a leader should keep notes whether it be good or bad. On the spot correction should be the start.
For me I continually communicate with the Soldiers
I do not believe I need to instill fear in the Soldiers, making them fear to try.
We learn from our triumphs as well as our mistakes
I believe counseling should be the last resort, of course a leader should keep notes whether it be good or bad. On the spot correction should be the start.
For me I continually communicate with the Soldiers
I do not believe I need to instill fear in the Soldiers, making them fear to try.
We learn from our triumphs as well as our mistakes
SFC Kenneth Hunnell
SGM Vidakovich, you are correct in what you are saying.
But, with no disrespect intended.
I looked at your profile, we came into the Army the same year
That has nothing to do with what I have to say.
When I was stationed in Germany, we had a Sgt. That looked after his best interest, the Soldiers knew it..
That same Sgt. Told me good luck with them.
I took a different approach, I identified the mission and let them know. When they all showed up and pulled together they left together in a timely manner. No paper work involved. We built a trust among ourselves.
In today's Army, to many Soldier's are chasing a stripe.
Did someone forget the mission comes first.
My Soldier's, not my property, understand exactly what I expect.
Constant reminder the mission comes first, they know I hold their best interest at heart.
No paper work involved.
They get promotions and awards by performance
But, with no disrespect intended.
I looked at your profile, we came into the Army the same year
That has nothing to do with what I have to say.
When I was stationed in Germany, we had a Sgt. That looked after his best interest, the Soldiers knew it..
That same Sgt. Told me good luck with them.
I took a different approach, I identified the mission and let them know. When they all showed up and pulled together they left together in a timely manner. No paper work involved. We built a trust among ourselves.
In today's Army, to many Soldier's are chasing a stripe.
Did someone forget the mission comes first.
My Soldier's, not my property, understand exactly what I expect.
Constant reminder the mission comes first, they know I hold their best interest at heart.
No paper work involved.
They get promotions and awards by performance
What made you choose UCP as the pattern for the original ACU? Did it affect your decision to end sleeve-rolling?
SMA Ray Chandler
I didn't choose the UCP. No enlisted person does. That decision on uniforms is made by the CSA and the SecArmy. I was deployed in Iraq at the time. Scientifically rolling your sleeve because of environmental conditions actually detracts from your bodies ability to cool itself. In my humble opinion If it didn't I would assume we would roll our pants legs or issue shorts as well.
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.
What do you see as the immediate needs of not just the Army but all our branches? Do you think it's time to reinstate the draft and this time include women?
Thank you!
What do you see as the immediate needs of not just the Army but all our branches? Do you think it's time to reinstate the draft and this time include women?
Thank you!
SMA Ray Chandler
I don't think we need a draft, but if it was to be reinstated I would have to include women. The Army is stretched really thin and has some challenges. I think CSA Milley and SMA Dailey focus on getting the non-deployables healthy or out has made a big improvement. What the services really need is Congress to stop sequestration, pass a defense bill prior to the beginning of the fiscal year and show some budget and leadership. That would give the Army a lot of predictability
Sergeant Major Chandler,
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.
Very Respectfully,
Brauli Peña-Peralta
SGT, US Army
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.
Very Respectfully,
Brauli Peña-Peralta
SGT, US Army
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Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.