Proponent Week was a golden opportunity for the Sergeants Major Course students to interact with their branch/school/career management field (CMF) Command Sergeants Major (CSMs). The senior enlisted leaders for each branch visited the Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCoE) and Sergeants Major Academy (SGM-A) during the week of Jan. 29 through Feb. 2.
The student leadership facilitated the event in which a student representative from each CMF coordinated the visit with their respective branch. The NCOLCoE cadre provided a venue for each branch to host visiting Command Sergeants Major and the student population in that CMF. Classrooms, conference rooms, and auditoriums were filled with curious students and engaging discussions. This visit provided an opportunity for the students to listen to the latest updates and plans for branches, ask questions, and receive mentorship. Many branches hosted physical training events in the morning and attended social events after academic hours, getting the most out of the visit.
A few Centers of Excellence and higher echelon Command Sergeants Major were in attendance as well. Command Sgt. Maj. Marco Torres, the Sustainment Center of Excellence Command Sergeants Major, addressed all students in the sustainment field (transportation, quartermaster, ordnance, finance, adjutant general, etc.). Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Dodson, the Maneuver Center of Excellence Command Sergeants Major engaged with the infantry and armor students. Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Galick, the United States Army Corps of Engineers Command Sergeants Major, spoke to dozens of engineers. The Adjutant General’s Corps, and the Signal Corps both hosted several senior leaders from their branches. Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday, the United States Army Recruiting Command Sergeants Major, was present along with the Recruiting School Command Sergeants Major.
Following the annual, week-long event NCOLCoE leadership sought feedback from students about their experience and take aways.
Master Sgt. Jeff McPherson from (CMF 12) said, “As a student at the Sergeants Major Academy I thought branch week was one of the most informative times I’ve had at the academy. While the course material is incredible, it was great to hear the updates about my CMF from the Regimental Command Sergeants Major himself. It was beneficial to finally get to interact with him and hear what he expects from his Sergeants Major following graduation.”
Another Class 74 student Master Sgt. Larry Morgan (CMF 92) shared he “Enjoyed the Senior Sustainer panel of guest speakers, as they related essential messages from their viewpoints and tips to be successful Sergeants Major. Additionally, the Army Material Command leadership introduced the Sustainment Leader Rucksack, which helped me understand how the lines of effort from the Army Chief of Staff relate to sustainers.”
Overall the event was a success and each student had several opportunities to engage with the Senior enlisted leaders within their career management field.