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

Reflections and Discussion about the US Army Specialist 8/9 Ranks

May 16, 2020May 17, 2020 Dan Elder

In response to an email request to Daniel K. Elder about the belief that enlisted men did, in fact, wear Spec. 8 rank at one time. Dear I am of the opinion that the Army never promoted soldiers to the rank of Specialist 8 or Specialist 9. First, I must mention that I suspect the letter signed by “Mark... Read More

116-year Army Streamer Error Continues

February 16, 2019February 19, 2019 Dan Elder

Streamer Spelling Error I only gained a deeper understanding of the United States Army major battles and the campaign streamers that they represent when I had the privilege to edit and update the book U.S. Army Campaign Streamers: Colors of Courage Since 1775. As a Senior Fellow for the non-profit Association of the United States Army and volunteering to serve... Read More

Flexing your soft skills

April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 Dan Elder

Knowing your job and performing it to the best of your ability is important. It’s vital to ensuring you remain employed and a valuable member of a team. But these days knowing your job will only get you so far. You need more than that. In a workforce, and a military, that is constantly changing and adapting to new technology... Read More

The History of the Sergeant Major

March 12, 2018March 10, 2018 Dan Elder

This is from my monograph History of the Sergeant Major first published Jan 2, 1998, highlighted on the NCO History site. The history of the sergeant major extends back to the earliest days of the Army of the United States, but the role that we currently associate with the sergeant major of today is relatively young. Only through continued refinement of... Read More

Do We Really Need a Parade?

March 10, 2018 Dan Elder

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced he would like to see a large military parade, similar to one he watched in France on Bastille Day. It’s something he’d previously expressed his desire for, but in January, he directed his top generals to organize the grand event he’s been imagining. While his exact motivations are unclear, other than he likes... Read More

Don’t be just a leader, be a transformational leader

February 26, 2018 Dan Elder

There are two basic kinds of leaders out there—the ones you want to do work for, and the ones you don’t. That may be overgeneralized, but most supervisory experiences fall into one of those two categories. Sometimes your first line, your direct supervisor or even your commander brings out the best in you and makes you want to generate the... Read More

What’s it like having an approved Defense Budget?

February 17, 2018February 17, 2018 Dan Elder

Finally! It looks like a coming boom for defense buyers and defense contractors, it looks like we have a defense budget approved. This month has brought both a solution to the long-lasting defense spending freeze with the Administration’s proposed budget for the 2019 fiscal year. Hearing all these headlines and news bites in passing can be confusing to know what’s... Read More

Becoming a more mindful leader

February 16, 2018February 16, 2018 Dan Elder

Mindful leadership—it’s a phrase that when first heard I wanted to pass off as some buzzword nonsense. But in more than a few mediums, I begin to see and hear people in different corners and perspectives chime in, as I learned more I began to realize that mindfulness is actually quite important when it comes to leadership. I ask myself, would... Read More

Inconsistency of writing non-commissioned officer versus noncommissioned officer

February 6, 2018February 6, 2018 Dan Elder

Non-Commissioned Officer vs. Noncommissioned Officer To hyphenate, or not to hyphenate—that is the question at hand today. So there it is, you’re a noncommissioned officer, and now you have to write out your new job title. How do you write it? Is it noncommissioned officer or non-commissioned officer? Some might argue that it simply depends on who you ask. Other,... Read More

Thank You For Your Service: Respecting Those In Uniform, And The Entire Organization They Represent

January 24, 2018January 24, 2018 Dan Elder

DOD LGBT Pride Month event celebration cake. The celebration was held on the Pentagon Courtyard, June 8, 2016. The event is an opportunity for the entire DOD community to come together and celebrate the great diversity of the American people in a festive, affirming atmosphere. President Barack Obama signed a proclamation, May 31, 2016, designating June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual... Read More

Increased pay is vital to recruiting and troop retention

January 15, 2018January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

Increased pay is vital to recruiting and troop retention Employee retention is hard for any company. When even Forbes 500 companies spend time brainstorming ways to keep their best and brightest, it’s no surprise that the military could stand to do the same sort of soul-searching. Retaining military service members has its own brand of unique challenges, but, when... Read More

Does Holiday Exodus impact soldier training?

January 8, 2018 Dan Elder

Does Holiday Exodus impact soldier training? Another year has come and gone, sending us all back to schools, jobs, and obligations we’ve put off to be with family—or maybe binge watch our favorite TV show. Do you remember what you were doing that final day in the office of 2017? I know I don’t—except for maybe willing the time to... Read More

Excessive Training Pulls Service Members Away From Core Military Tasks Before Deployment

January 3, 2018January 3, 2018 Dan Elder

Excessive Training Pulls Service Members Away From Core Military Tasks Before Deployment We’ve all been there—you find yourself sitting through yet another IT safety powerpoint training. Soldiers aren’t interested, you aren’t interested and yet requirements for this sort of mindless training continue to eat up space on an increasingly crowded training calendar. You wonder if there is a better way... Read More

Live and Lead with Authenticity

October 26, 2017January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

Our founder Dan Elder was a contributor to this latest book project, this one includes his insights on How to Live and Lead with Authenticity. Since 2007, more than 10,000 leaders have benefited from the True Growth leader development experience. Their team of facilitators and coaches are committed to helping leaders embrace the transformational power of authenticity to improve themselves and the lives... Read More

Taming Technology

August 23, 2017January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

In this connected world, today’s military Leaders may often find themselves distracted in a sea of technology. One moment we are turning on our first computer with excitement and the next we are juggling multiple unit-issued phones, tablets and personal devices, computer email on multiple secure open and private networks, and social media requirements that can all lead to “digital... Read More

Why do we sing in formation?

June 12, 2017January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

You can thank Pvt. Willie Duckworth. The tech manual for marching is FM 3-21.5 (FM 22-5 for you old farts), and it says: Sing In Formation “To enable soldiers to learn or maintain cadence and develop rhythm, the instructor should have them count cadence while marching. a. To count cadence while marching at quick time, the instructor gives the preparatory command, Count... Read More

SMA George Dunaway, In Memorium

February 6, 2017January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

From a tribute I wrote at the time of his loss: Soldiers are saddened to learn of the passing of the 2nd Sergeant Major of the Army SMA (Ret.) George W. Dunaway who served as SMA between September 1968 to September 1970. Born July 24, 1922, in Richmond, VA, SMA Dunaway enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard’s 29th Division... Read More

Epi 19, Interview with CSM Terry Burton, USACRC CSM

February 5, 2017January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

In this episode, host CSM (Ret) Dan Elder sits down with the current US Army Combat Readiness Center Command Sergeant Major, CSM Terry Burton, and asks him about his role as the senior enlisted advisor of the unique command. Dan asks a number of questions ranging from how the CRC impacts Army readiness, what are some of the trends seen by... Read More

An Excerpt: Advice from the Veterans Hiring Toolkit

February 1, 2017January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

America’s Heroes at Work — Veterans Hiring Toolkit Did You Know? Many civilian employers have admitted challenges when it comes to evaluating a Veteran during a job interview. This is often because Veterans have difficulty explaining how their military experience relates to the needs of the civilian employer. Additionally, while Veterans will be quick to praise their team or unit,... Read More

Episode #18, Caring Leaders

December 24, 2016March 10, 2018 Dan Elder

In this month’s podcast, we highlight that Army finally beats Navy and a new Secretary of Army is proposed. The podcast topic this month is about caring leadership and we offer tips to consider to ensure that your actions match your statements. I talk about 5 considerations Army noncommissioned officer should consider when it comes to building enriched relationships with subordinate,... Read More