Author: Dan Elder

Dan is a leadership coach, management consultant, and change agent who has mentored hundreds of leaders at all levels. A retired Command Sergeant Major with more than 26-years serving soldiers and their families, he has deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq. Dan's culminating assignment was as the senior enlisted advisor of a major Army Command (USAMC) and as the Army's senior enlisted sustainer. He served on the Sergeant Major of the Army's Board of Directors and is author, editor or advisor to a number of soldier-related books and articles. Working as an independent consultant and small-business owner in Killeen TX, Dan continues to serve soldiers as a Blogger, Podcaster and Speaker. He was selected as the first enlisted Senior Fellow for the Association of the United States Army and was inducted to the US Army Sergeants Major Academy Wall of Fame, and the US Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame

Remembering Sergeant Elvis Aaron Presley

December 3, 2016January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

Sergeant Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, served with honor in the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor, 3d Armored Division in Germany as an assistant squad leader. On March 24, 1958, the “King” became Private Presley when he was inducted into the Army at the Memphis Draft Board. He reported to Fort Hood, Texas, and received basic... Read More

SMA William G. Bainbridge, In Memorium

November 29, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

It’s been 8-years since we lost a great soldier, this is the day of SMA #5 Bill Bainbridge’s passing. Enlisted in 1943, he was held as a POW in WWII, served in Vietnam, and was the first CSM of the newly formed Sergeants Major Academy. Married to Hazel for 63-years, he was laid to rest in Arlington on January 29,... Read More

Lessons of von Steuben – Thoughts from the Past

November 27, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

Thoughts from the Past We all have seen images of downtrodden soldiers at Washington’s encampment in 1778 at Valley Forge…soldiers who were underclothed and resorted to rags wrapped around their feet because there were not enough shoes to go around. By all accounts, the Army was downhearted and disorganized, and Washington was in need of an effective fighting force. Enter... Read More

2009 – THE YEAR OF THE NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER

November 20, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

First Region of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) saluted noncommissioned officers for their outstanding service to the nation during the 2nd Year of the NCO in 2009. As part of that recognition, the Region commissioned known artist Jim Ryan, who has produced my signature prints and released them during their annual conference. In the accompanying proclamation that went... Read More

The SMA office and position turned 50 this year…

November 6, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

…AND NO ONE NOTICED. FOR TODAY’S SOLDIERS, THE POSITION OF SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE ARMY APPEARS AS NATURAL AS A SQUAD LEADER. But 50 short years ago it was not so. It was on the Fourth of July 1966 that the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Harold K. Johnson approved the establishment of the position of Sergeant Major... Read More

The Sergeant’s Book

October 27, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

This “Sergeant’s Book” was written in 1982 by CSM Robert L. Haga, then DCSM of the 3rd Armored Division. It was republished by my Regimental CSM when I was in the 12th Calvary Regt about 10-years later and it was issued to all the NCOs. I have kept this copy because though it is a bit dated, it seemed to... Read More

Change of Responsibility Script

October 24, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR CHANGE OF RESPONSIBILITY Script CEREMONY SEQUENCE OF EVENTS BAND: From 1045 until 1100 plays appropriate music, and the Color Guard takes its initial position. PARTICIPATING UNITS: All MSC/Battalion/Company, the Honor Company, and HHC, Your Unit Name on the final line at “Parade Rest” NLT 1050 hours. NARRATOR: At 1058 announces “LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE CEREMONY WILL BEGIN IN TWO MINUTES. ... Read More

Spinning Flags at Change of Command

September 27, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

There are some ceremonies like the company change of command and the change of responsibility that have some key elements that are not clearly defined, so finding “a standard” is sometimes impossible. In many cases with large formations, it is usually the senior mission command HQs that creates a local policy when it comes to the gray areas surrounding ceremonies but... Read More

The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

August 30, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

The Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), or SEAC, is a military position within the United States Department of Defense and is the most senior noncommissioned or petty officer overall in the United States Armed Forces. The SEAC is appointed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to serve as... Read More

Historic First: A Medal for Sgt. William H. Carney

July 4, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

Sgt. William H. Carney Born in 1840 to a slave mother in Norfolk, Virginia, who was later freed upon her owner’s death in 1854, William H. Carney eventually settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts and prepared himself to enter the ministry. 8 In 1863 the Union Army began to organize colored units, and one of the first was the 54th Massachusetts... Read More

Last recipient of the Badge of Military Merit: SGT Daniel Bissell

June 30, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

SGT Daniel Bissell Daniel Bissell, the eldest son of Daniel and Elizabeth Bissell of Windsor, Connecticut, was born December 30, 1754. When the Revolution began he enlisted in the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line, where his “sterling qualities of head and heart speedily gained the esteem of his comrades and the confidence of his officers.” He became a sergeant... Read More

Short History of the Specialist Rank

June 16, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

When considering the discussion for reintroducing of senior specialist ranks to the US Army one must reflect on the trials and tribulations of the past. Here is a short history of the US Army Specialist by CSM (Ret.) Dan Elder. The Specialist Rank When Washington assumed the role as Commander in Chief of the fledgling Continental Army in 1775, it... Read More

Inspire Recruits and Capture our Legacy

May 11, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

With over 80-percent of the military force structure enlisted soldiers it is a fair assumption to say that “most people” in the military started their Army affiliation with a recruiter. There are few things that tie the brother-and-sisterhood together than the enlistment process and that starts off with the first interaction with a recruiter. Whether self initiated, advised by a family... Read More

US Army Highly Qualified Enlisted Expert

March 24, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

Why not maximize Noncommissioned Officer talent post-military service? Challenge Today’s Army does not have ready access to a select group of highly qualified former enlisted leaders who possess the intellectual capacity, wisdom, and expertise to assist the Force in short-term, and often complicated projects. In cultivating Soldiers for Life surely talent management does not end at retirement? The type of expertise often... Read More

Interview with the Sergeant Major of Army Public Affairs

March 22, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

INTERVIEWEE: SGM Jose Velazquez Jr., Sergeant Major of Army Public Affairs, Pentagon INTERVIEWER: CSM Dan Elder, US Army, Retired This is one in our series of interviews with influential noncommissioned officers, these are leaders in key or strategic positions who are influencing the Army and the Noncommissioned Officer Corps. This interview is with SGM Jose Velazquez Jr., who serves as the Sergeant... Read More

Epi #17, Tips for Inactivating Units

March 10, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

This week in episode #17 of the NCO Guide podcast I host Sgt. Maj. Terwan Crawley, the III Corps G-4 MRD Sergeant Major. In this episode, we discuss some of the issues facing inactivating units, and use his experience as the 589th Brigade Support Battalion Command Sergeant Major during their inactivation at Fort Hood, TX. We talk about tips for... Read More

Broadening Assignments for NCOs, Epi. #16

March 1, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

This week in episode #16 of the NCO Guide podcast I host Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Ken Graham, the incoming command sergeant major for the 20th CBRNE Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. In this episode we speak about broadening assignments for noncommissioned officers, and talk about a few things to consider in how to get selected, and ways to adjust to... Read More

Epi. #15, Soldier for Life: SMA Jack L. Tilley interview

February 23, 2016January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

SMA Jack L. Tilley Inteview In Episode #15 host Dan Elder sits down with Sergeant Major of the Army Jack L. Tilley, USA, Retired and they talk about his new book Soldier for Life: Leader Lessons From The 12th Sergeant Major Of The Army Jack L. Tilley. He explains that the book is more than just an autobiography of Jack L. Tilley, the... Read More

Book: Soldier for Life, the story of SMA Jack L. Tilley

November 11, 2015January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

Soldier for Life This book is more than just an autobiography of Jack L. Tilley, the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, it is a series of leadership lessons based on selected stories from his more than 35-year career. The last Vietnam veteran to serve in that position from 2000-2004, SMA Tilley was at the Pentagon when terrorists crashed a... Read More

Epi. #14, Getting Back to Basics

November 7, 2015January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

Back to Basics In this episode CSM (Ret.) Dan Elder discusses getting back to the basics and attempts to identify a few foundational techniques company grade noncommissioned officers should master. Key to a professional leader’s style are in being grounded in the way that they operate, those basic behaviors that set them apart from others. The way we perform is usually influenced by... Read More