Chandler to become new Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army

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Chandler to become new Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army

2011-02-08 04:37:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. on Monday announced that Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond F. Chandler III will become the new Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) on March 1st.

The Sergeant Major of the Army is a unique non-commissioned rank in the U.S. Army and the holder of the rank is the senior enlisted member of the Army, and is appointed to serve as a spokesman to address the issues of enlisted soldiers to the Army's highest positions. As such, they are the senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Staff of the US Army.

"We have the utmost confidence in Command Sgt. Maj. Chandler and look forward to having him join our leadership team," said McHugh. "He has the right qualities and credentials to assume this vitally important duty that Sgt. Maj. of the Army Preston has skillfully and adeptly performed for the last seven years."

Chandler is currently the commandant of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and will succeed Kenneth Preston, who has served in the position since January 2004 when he took over from Jack Tilley.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Chandler is the right soldier to lead our NCO Corps," Casey said. “He has demonstrated excellence in every position, and has the depth of experiences required to help us lead our Army.â€

Chandler will be sworn into the new position on March 1st in a ceremony to be held at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. "Being named the 14th sergeant major of the Army is truly an honor," Chandler said. "I am humbled, yet excited by the opportunity to serve our soldiers and their families in light of the challenges ahead."

In June 2009, Chandler became the first enlisted commandant of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. In his new position, Chandler will serve as the Army chief of staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. The role involves extensive travel and focuses on soldier training, noncommissioned officer development and the well-being of families.

The sergeant major of the Army recommends quality-of-life improvements to Army leadership and often sits on councils that make decisions affecting enlisted soldiers and their families. He also routinely testifies before Congress on these issues.

Preston leaves the position as the longest serving SMA after being selected by previous Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker. "Many of the great CSMs and SGMs serving around the Army today are a product of CSM Chandler's leadership and development efforts," Preston said. "He brings a broad breadth of experience and I have no doubt he will provide the strategic vision and professionalism long associated with this position."

Preston was sworn in as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 15, 2004 and has held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career ranging from cavalry scout to command sergeant major.

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