1 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:21,280 Speaker 1: If it doesn't work, you're just not using enough. You're 2 00:00:21,320 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: listening to Software Radio Special Operations, military news and straight 3 00:00:26,880 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: talk with the guys and the community. Hello, look and everyone, 4 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: welcome back to Software Radio, Software Radio on Time, on Target. 5 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: I'm your host this morning, Steve Balstari joining us. We 6 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 1: have a very special guest, Dargant Major of the Army 7 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: Michael Grinston, is joining us here on the podcast this morning, 8 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:58,840 Speaker 1: and I just want to let all our listeners know 9 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: we are recording this on Tuesday morning, the n so 10 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:05,680 Speaker 1: by the time everyone hears this, it will be after 11 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:09,160 Speaker 1: the inauguration. So the questions that we'll be talking about 12 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:13,959 Speaker 1: about the upcoming inauguration, they're going to be before the facts. 13 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:17,320 Speaker 1: So if anyone has any hard permit that you can 14 00:01:17,360 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: email us and let us know about it. But before 15 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:22,560 Speaker 1: we get into any of all that, we want to 16 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: welcome the Sergeant Major to our our podcast. Sergeant Major, 17 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: welcome to Software Radio. We are honored to have you 18 00:01:30,120 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: here with us, and thanks for taking the time. I 19 00:01:32,480 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: know this is a very busy time for you. Yeah, thanks, Steve, 20 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: thanks for having me. I'm looking forward to the discussion. Sure, 21 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 1: and as all of us are including all of our 22 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:49,760 Speaker 1: listeners out there. UM, I just wanted to ask you, 23 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 1: you know, fill in our listeners, just a little bit 24 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: about your highlights of your military career. I know you've 25 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: been in the military quite a few years now, and 26 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: you know, UH, one doesn't become the sergeant major of 27 00:02:01,280 --> 00:02:06,600 Speaker 1: the Army overnight. It's it's a long process. Yeah. Every 28 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: once in a a while, it feels like people think that, 29 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 1: you know, you know, like I came in the Army 30 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 1: yesterday and they hired me to be the start majors 31 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:18,000 Speaker 1: the Army, so which is not true. But a lot 32 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 1: of times, I you know, it's funny, but I actually 33 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:22,800 Speaker 1: have to remind people, you know, I came in the 34 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:27,040 Speaker 1: Army as a PFC thirty two years ago, so uh, 35 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,600 Speaker 1: you know, I lived in the barracks for seven years. UM, 36 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,320 Speaker 1: went through all the ranks just pretty much, you know, 37 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:36,720 Speaker 1: like any soldier would do. But some people, you know, 38 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 1: you gotta remind people that. And you know, if are 39 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 1: the uh. I joined the Army as an artillery soldiers, 40 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,720 Speaker 1: a cannon crew member, third team Bravo, UH some you know, 41 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 1: gun bunny wherever you wanna call it. Um, it never 42 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 1: really changed my ms, but I really enjoyed my career 43 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 1: and it's been really a lot more diverse than I 44 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,160 Speaker 1: would have thought having only one mos. I mean, uh, 45 00:03:00,200 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 1: I went to ranger school in the nine and I 46 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:07,839 Speaker 1: think that's normally what confuses people with thirteen bravos don't 47 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: normally get to ranger school, and then at some point 48 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 1: for about ten years they weren't that MS wasn't even 49 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:16,760 Speaker 1: allowed to go, So I was. I really looked like 50 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 1: a unicorn at some point where you know, there was 51 00:03:19,280 --> 00:03:22,160 Speaker 1: like maybe ten thirteen bravos in the army that would 52 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: range of qualified. So. Um, But what the other confusing 53 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:30,120 Speaker 1: thing is is, uh, my first first sargeant job was 54 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: in an infantry unit, so I got I was a 55 00:03:33,200 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 1: first sergeant in Italy in the one seventy three and 56 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 1: the h C second to the final of third. Um 57 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:42,119 Speaker 1: So people go, oh, he used to be artillery, said 58 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: now I'm still artillery. So but uh, but you know, 59 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 1: being a you know, uh, having a rifle company in 60 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 1: the second fible third, in a parachuteftry regiment in the 61 00:03:52,440 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 1: once to any third, it's a highlight of my career. 62 00:03:54,760 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 1: I'm really proud of that. Um. I learned a lot 63 00:03:57,640 --> 00:04:01,440 Speaker 1: and just kind of fit with you know, my first melody. Um. 64 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: And then I was selected for two infantry brigades so uh, 65 00:04:07,160 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 1: I think, and deployed to so two times to a Canistan, 66 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: had a brigade and bomb Holder. Um it was the 67 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: one seventieth intro brigade at A bomb Holder. And then 68 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 1: I had a fourth brigade of the hundred first as 69 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:25,479 Speaker 1: a cur he's uh and Fort Kimbell before they inactivated 70 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:30,280 Speaker 1: the brigade and we again deployed to Afghanistan. So um, 71 00:04:30,520 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: I just really enjoyed all the jobs have got to 72 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:37,360 Speaker 1: do throughout my career. But it has been really diverse, 73 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:41,280 Speaker 1: you know, outside of Italian you know, and most um, 74 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:43,640 Speaker 1: you know, I select to call these infantry brigades and 75 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 1: doing all the combat. Five years of combat and most 76 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 1: of that has all been maneuver and never I think 77 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:53,039 Speaker 1: it doesn't shield this storm. I was like a you know, 78 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: thirteen brobable want a gun. But then after that most 79 00:04:55,960 --> 00:04:59,280 Speaker 1: of it was he just give a battle space and 80 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:02,159 Speaker 1: and and for I be free and enjoy. So it's 81 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:05,919 Speaker 1: been a great career. Um. I really love it. I 82 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: love what I do and I love it when people 83 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 1: ask me, so, how do you like think, you know, 84 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: how do you like the army? I said, I'm start 85 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:14,400 Speaker 1: raising the army. I love It's like and then I 86 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: lousy joke and say, you know, hey, everybody should do it, 87 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: and yeah, you know, you know I'm really gonna put 88 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:24,240 Speaker 1: in for that, and and then uh, the last thing 89 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 1: is what me, you know what I really like to say. 90 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 1: So sometimes I say, you know, I'm start major of 91 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:33,640 Speaker 1: the Army. Um. You know when people sometimes they say, hey, 92 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:37,039 Speaker 1: where do you work? And I usually say Pentagone, um, 93 00:05:37,120 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: and they'll go where do you work in the Pentagone 94 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,719 Speaker 1: And I'll just know. It's like I'll try to boy, 95 00:05:41,760 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: and sometimes I will work for the Chief of Staff 96 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 1: of the Army, and every once in a while, you know, 97 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:47,680 Speaker 1: some people figure it out, you know what I do. 98 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: But sometimes I'll say I'm the sergeant major of the Army, 99 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 1: and I think what they hear is, oh, you're a 100 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:58,960 Speaker 1: sergeant in the army, which is really cool too. So um, 101 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:01,600 Speaker 1: I've got a great job. Bit highly recommended for anybody 102 00:06:01,960 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: to do that job. But every day I wake up 103 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 1: and say, I'm really I'm really proud to be in 104 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,240 Speaker 1: the army and to make a difference for all our soldiers. 105 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 1: Have you ever search for something online that you didn't 106 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 1: want others knowing about? And I know most of you 107 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: are probably thinking, well, why don't you just use incognito mode. 108 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:26,200 Speaker 1: Let me tell you something. Incognito mode does not hide 109 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 1: your activity. It does not matter what mode you use 110 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:31,800 Speaker 1: or how many times you clear your browsing history. Your 111 00:06:31,839 --> 00:06:36,360 Speaker 1: Internet service provider can still see every single website you've 112 00:06:36,360 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: ever visited, every single website. That's great, folks. That's why, 113 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: even when I'm at home, I never go online without 114 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,080 Speaker 1: using Express VPN. It doesn't matter if you get your 115 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:50,480 Speaker 1: Internet from Horizon or Comcasts or any of the other 116 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,040 Speaker 1: local I s P offerings. I s p s in 117 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 1: the U s can legally sell your information to add companies. 118 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: That's right, folks, they can sell your information to add 119 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 1: company niece. 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Express VPN is 128 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: available on all your devices, phones, computers, even your smart TV, 129 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,280 Speaker 1: so there's no excuse for you not to be using it. 130 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: Protect your online activity today with the VPN rated number 131 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: one by c net m Wired. Visit my exclusive link 132 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 1: Express VPN dot com Slash softwarep and you can get 133 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: an extra three months free on a one year package. 134 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:07,200 Speaker 1: That's Express vpn dot com um slash softeagn That do 135 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: you do? You travel quite a bit. I know with 136 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,560 Speaker 1: the COVID that might have changed a little bit in 137 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:14,960 Speaker 1: of past year, but I mean as sergery major of 138 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:18,080 Speaker 1: the Army, you're probably on the road quite a bit 139 00:08:18,160 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 1: during the year. Oh yeah, we're yeah, we're usually uh 140 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 1: gone most of the time. Tried to you know in 141 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 1: the beginning, were just like, hey, can can I get 142 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 1: a week at home? You know in the uh but 143 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:36,360 Speaker 1: COVID did so it down a little bit. And there's 144 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 1: periods of time when you know, like right now with 145 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,360 Speaker 1: the inauguration and things going on, we're not gonna travel. 146 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 1: But you know, most of the time we're still out there, 147 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: and um, you know about a week maybe ten days ago, 148 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: we're actually thirteen days ago we're at Forthood. We went 149 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: to Fort Bliss, uh so. And and now even with cover, 150 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 1: we still do a lot of virtue old meetings to 151 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:04,599 Speaker 1: do I call virtual battlefield circulation or just getting to 152 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 1: see the troops where we'll get certain if I can't 153 00:09:07,200 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 1: get there because of COVID, we'll we'll pull up a 154 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: VTC of teams call and we'll talk to soldiers out. 155 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:16,920 Speaker 1: So we're we're doing we're finding new ways to do it, 156 00:09:16,960 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: but they're still uh, there's still some travel involved in that. Absolutely, 157 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 1: I'm sure there is. I mean, for your job, you're 158 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 1: always having to get a pulse on what's going on 159 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 1: with the troops. And that was leads into my next question. 160 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: I mean, we're winding down a bunch of really long 161 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: term combat deployments for the past twenty years. How's the 162 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 1: Army doing culture wise? I Mean, I know that there 163 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 1: was a lot of you know, issues that were in 164 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:50,000 Speaker 1: the news of this and that, and we always have 165 00:09:50,080 --> 00:09:52,559 Speaker 1: the bad news, But how's the army doing overall that 166 00:09:52,640 --> 00:09:58,080 Speaker 1: you feel you know going into Yeah, and well, I 167 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: still think you know we still and have always thought this. 168 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 1: We still have the greatest army the world has ever seen. UM. 169 00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: So that you know, that's how we're doing so UM. 170 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 1: I would tell anybody that we you know, we are 171 00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:16,600 Speaker 1: harder on ourselves than anybody else and we we will 172 00:10:16,640 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: always be that way. In our nation expects that of 173 00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:24,120 Speaker 1: us um um. And you know, and you've seen some things. 174 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 1: We had the Furthood Independent Review where we took a 175 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 1: really hard look at our culture on one installation, and 176 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:34,280 Speaker 1: out of that we said that that maybe we do 177 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,240 Speaker 1: need to change some things we looked at. We created 178 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: the People First Task Force where they would take some 179 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: of the recommendations from this independent review of forth hood 180 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 1: um and see do we have this right in the 181 00:10:46,880 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: army and do we need to change some of our 182 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:54,200 Speaker 1: policies with regards to culture when it comes to sexual assault, 183 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:59,760 Speaker 1: sexual harassment, suicides, racism, extremism. So all that has rolled 184 00:10:59,800 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: in to it. Uh. But again we're we're extremely hard 185 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 1: on ourselves because we want to make sure that we 186 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: remain ready for our nation. And one of those big 187 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 1: things we that I keep talking about is this is 188 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:18,360 Speaker 1: my squad, is how do we build you know, a 189 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:22,400 Speaker 1: really deep understanding of those around us. So how do 190 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: you build a cohesive team? And I would say, you know, 191 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: look at and what I did is I looked at 192 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:30,439 Speaker 1: and look at our special forces. They have really good 193 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:35,000 Speaker 1: small unit team cohesion. UM. So that's what when I 194 00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: say this is my squad, the personal pronoun of ownership 195 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,679 Speaker 1: means a lot to me when you say it's my squad, 196 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:45,600 Speaker 1: and you can say my squad leader, or even my family. 197 00:11:45,880 --> 00:11:49,760 Speaker 1: That's my daughter, that's my dad. Um. You know, those 198 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 1: things of ownership are really important. And we're really tried 199 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:57,920 Speaker 1: to focus in on and getting a culture that builds fit, discipline, 200 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 1: well trained, cohesive teams that the small unit level. And 201 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: we've always done this, but we're trying, really trying to 202 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: do this in a whole new way where we really 203 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 1: know the background of the soldiers sitting next to us, UM, 204 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 1: and that build that rich deep cohesion that you know 205 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: we all strive to be and and we want to 206 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 1: really focus at the small unit level. And this is 207 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 1: not about an iftory squad. This is about you know, 208 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 1: it's like a term of DEARMO, my squad, the people 209 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: I know. Remember I said my family just a second ago, 210 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:36,439 Speaker 1: is you know like I'm a member of more more 211 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:40,080 Speaker 1: than one squad. You know, my wife, my kids, that's 212 00:12:40,120 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 1: my that's my family squad. But then you know my 213 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: you know, one of my squads in the army, which 214 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 1: is really cool. You know, I got the Secretary of 215 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:49,800 Speaker 1: the Army, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the 216 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 1: Vice to under and the senior warrant is Chief Dick 217 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: and Carter um. And I used the challenge people, I said, 218 00:12:56,200 --> 00:13:00,959 Speaker 1: my squad schooler than your squad. So, uh, I really 219 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:03,200 Speaker 1: like it. And you know, those people that around you 220 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 1: that noticed the differences, they know who you are. They 221 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: know when you're tired or you're angry, and they go, man, 222 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 1: you know you okay, they can check on you. Um. 223 00:13:12,679 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: So that's really what we're trying to focus on that culture. 224 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 1: But again, we still have the greatest army in the world. Um, 225 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,679 Speaker 1: and I'm really proud of to be in the army. Yeah. 226 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:26,680 Speaker 1: And uh, I know I'm kind of biased having in 227 00:13:26,720 --> 00:13:29,439 Speaker 1: the Army myself, so I tend to agree with you 228 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:32,199 Speaker 1: on that. I you know, uh, we we hear about 229 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: the bad things that you know, make the news, but overall, 230 00:13:36,160 --> 00:13:40,479 Speaker 1: this is uh still the most professional, best run military 231 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 1: in the world and we prove it every day with 232 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 1: the guys that are out there. So yeah, but getting 233 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:49,439 Speaker 1: back to you know, you talked about you visited Fort Hood. 234 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: You think that was just maybe, uh, you know, an 235 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 1: isolated problem on the base with the leadership that was 236 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: involved there. I mean, or do you say that, you 237 00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: know the situation runs deeper than that. It could be. 238 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:09,080 Speaker 1: You know, there's some issues throughout the military. I know 239 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: it's never perfect because we have you know, it's a 240 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:15,439 Speaker 1: mirror of our society. We have a melting pot of 241 00:14:15,520 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: everybody that's you know, in our country. But do you 242 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: think it's it was just an isolated problem there at 243 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 1: Fort Hood? Yeah? And what we and that's one of 244 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:30,120 Speaker 1: the reasons we established the People First task forces to 245 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,680 Speaker 1: kind of look at that and say, hey, is this 246 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: something that is an issue for the army. Is this 247 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 1: a policy that we need to change? So right now, 248 00:14:39,200 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: I would say this is something we really need to 249 00:14:41,720 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: look at throughout the army. UM, but I could say 250 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:48,400 Speaker 1: I kind of you know, said the same thing when 251 00:14:48,440 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 1: I was coming in to be the sarbas the Army. 252 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 1: I said, we need to know our soldiers better. Remember 253 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,480 Speaker 1: I did that that you keep going back to that, 254 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: that ownership is one of those things I thought we 255 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: were lacking through at the army. So some of the 256 00:15:01,680 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: things I saw in the report are the same things 257 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:08,600 Speaker 1: I saw, uh probably thirteen fourteen, fifteen months ago as 258 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 1: I came into the star amazing army is getting to 259 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: know our soldiers and taking care of them no matter what. 260 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 1: You know, we often say that, you know, we see 261 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 1: a soldier and they're about to be shot. You know, 262 00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 1: you would do anything for that small group. You would 263 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:26,840 Speaker 1: literally do anything. I'll die, I go through withering fires 264 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:28,360 Speaker 1: up on the I D We're gonna do it. To 265 00:15:28,400 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 1: take care of each other. Uh, we have to do 266 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,600 Speaker 1: the same thing when it comes to those things that 267 00:15:34,680 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 1: really plagued you know, sometimes an army suicide, sexual assault, 268 00:15:38,520 --> 00:15:42,240 Speaker 1: sexual harassment, and racism, extremism. So we gotta be willing 269 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: to take care of our soldiers. And that's what what 270 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:49,280 Speaker 1: I read in the report were some of the things 271 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:54,840 Speaker 1: that were missing where we didn't really really wrap our 272 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:58,680 Speaker 1: arms around our soldiers and not let these things happen 273 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:02,640 Speaker 1: to them. So I believe this is something we need 274 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: to all look at. I think as an army, we 275 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 1: need to do better and if there's some policies and 276 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:10,560 Speaker 1: procedures that we need to do, rown the people first 277 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:13,120 Speaker 1: ask force is going to help us out. But yes, 278 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: I think this is something we all need to look 279 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 1: at in every camp posting station in the army. And 280 00:16:19,680 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 1: you know, and when you talked about, you know, taking 281 00:16:22,200 --> 00:16:25,880 Speaker 1: care of your soldiers, uh, I always remember what one 282 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 1: of my sergeant ages used to say about taking care 283 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 1: of troops, and he was like, you know, we all 284 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 1: tend to think that before we deploy. You know, we're 285 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 1: taking care of all of our guys and checking all 286 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 1: the blocks before we hit the aircraft and go somewhere. 287 00:16:42,160 --> 00:16:45,640 Speaker 1: It starts well well before that. And if you're waiting 288 00:16:45,720 --> 00:16:48,400 Speaker 1: until it's time to deploy, then you're not doing your job. 289 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 1: It's doing it well before you reach that point and 290 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:57,520 Speaker 1: taking care of troops. It should be an everyday thing. 291 00:16:57,680 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: And where we uh, we're preparing to deploy long before 292 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:07,120 Speaker 1: we ever get that call. Yeah, and this isn't I agree, 293 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:10,919 Speaker 1: This isn't something you know you just do for troop movement. 294 00:17:11,080 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 1: This is how we treat everybody on a routine basis. 295 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:18,240 Speaker 1: But I do clarify because a lot of times people say, 296 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: you know, take care of the troops, you know, And 297 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:24,600 Speaker 1: how does that fit with readiness and training. It's the 298 00:17:24,640 --> 00:17:28,800 Speaker 1: same thing. So getting you know, some of the best 299 00:17:28,880 --> 00:17:32,400 Speaker 1: team building events I've had in my army career where 300 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 1: you know, out in the field and the rain, you know, 301 00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:39,199 Speaker 1: laying in a you know, a mud puddle, and you know, 302 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 1: I build a very strong cohesive team and some of 303 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 1: the really difficult, challenging training events I've had. So taking 304 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:51,960 Speaker 1: care of putting people first doesn't mean we're not gonna 305 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,159 Speaker 1: be ready, you know. In the army, the army is 306 00:17:54,200 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 1: about people, um. And if our people are ready and 307 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:02,159 Speaker 1: they're well trained, discipline fit, um, that means we are 308 00:18:02,320 --> 00:18:07,040 Speaker 1: taking care of them um. But so readiness and taking 309 00:18:07,040 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: care of people, to me are synonymous. It's not something different. 310 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 1: It is the same thing. But sometimes people like to say, well, 311 00:18:14,840 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 1: if you put people first, you can't be ready. That's 312 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: in the army. I don't think that's true maybe in 313 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: another service, but not for us absolutely. And uh, you know, 314 00:18:23,600 --> 00:18:27,119 Speaker 1: going back to the suicide problem in the military is 315 00:18:27,119 --> 00:18:31,199 Speaker 1: still it's still kind of an albatross hanging over us 316 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:34,280 Speaker 1: as as a country, not just the military. I think 317 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 1: it's something that you know, is affecting our entire country. 318 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: And do you think part of the reason for that. 319 00:18:40,920 --> 00:18:44,280 Speaker 1: And this is just your personal opinion, I mean it's 320 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 1: I'm I know you're not speaking for the whole military there, 321 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 1: but um, do you think there's just that stigma in 322 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:55,840 Speaker 1: people's minds that they were afraid to admit that they 323 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: need some help? And that's part of the reason why 324 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 1: you know, guys are reaching and women. Uh I say that, 325 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:06,520 Speaker 1: you know generally, but you know, our our troops. Is 326 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:09,439 Speaker 1: that part of the reason why you know we're seeing 327 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 1: these numbers continue? Yeah? I think I think yeah, and 328 00:19:15,240 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 1: you hit it. You know, this is not just an 329 00:19:17,359 --> 00:19:20,240 Speaker 1: army issue. This is like you know, it's just you know, 330 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:23,760 Speaker 1: American society issue. And I think there is some of 331 00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:27,640 Speaker 1: the stigma. You know, Uh, if I ask for help 332 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:29,960 Speaker 1: that means, you know, I can't do it myself. When 333 00:19:30,000 --> 00:19:32,880 Speaker 1: we build a culture where you know I can do anything, 334 00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:34,959 Speaker 1: I can do it, you know, you know, hey, can 335 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:37,320 Speaker 1: I do this? I can do that, But you know 336 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:41,679 Speaker 1: I equate it to you know sometimes well, you know, 337 00:19:41,920 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 1: if my my legs hurting, O, man, my legsure is hurting. 338 00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:47,920 Speaker 1: You know, I go to the dock. I go to 339 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:50,879 Speaker 1: physical therapist and they go, hey, you needed this stretch, 340 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 1: you needed that, and I'll make your We need to 341 00:19:52,960 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: look at babor help the same way. Uh. But I 342 00:19:56,320 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 1: agree there there are those, and we build this culture 343 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 1: of you know, these over aggressive you know, highly motivated, 344 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:06,840 Speaker 1: well trained, you know, I can take care of any 345 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:11,760 Speaker 1: mission um mentality and then say yes, I need to 346 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 1: ask for help. So, UM, I think there is And 347 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:19,280 Speaker 1: you know, but as a senior leader, we keep saying 348 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: it's okay to seek help. Uh, but you're right. Uh 349 00:20:23,560 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 1: we we hear. I usually hear this everywhere I go. 350 00:20:26,200 --> 00:20:29,240 Speaker 1: It's like, well, there's still what what we need to 351 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:33,040 Speaker 1: get away is that your leaders supports you. Um, and 352 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:36,439 Speaker 1: I think we gotta get away from you know, the 353 00:20:36,520 --> 00:20:39,360 Speaker 1: leaders are gonna hold this against me. Um, we're not. 354 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:42,120 Speaker 1: We all need to to get a tune up. If 355 00:20:42,119 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: my leg was hurting, you wouldn't chastise me to go, 356 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:47,200 Speaker 1: uh see the doctor for my leg hurting. And I 357 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,879 Speaker 1: shouldn't chastise you if I need to go seek some 358 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:53,960 Speaker 1: favor help. And we gotta get rid of that stigmatism 359 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:58,199 Speaker 1: that uh, you know we can't do that. It's okay 360 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:02,439 Speaker 1: to seek graber help and can you clarify something because 361 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:05,680 Speaker 1: we hear this all the time, but there's never I've 362 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:10,399 Speaker 1: never seen any uh, I guess confirmation. Is this this 363 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:14,280 Speaker 1: this stigma that if I ask for help, I'm gonna 364 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 1: lose my security clearance. And I hear this all the time, 365 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 1: but I've never seen any actual documentation of that. So 366 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 1: you know, can I guess, can you put that to beds? Yes, 367 00:21:29,280 --> 00:21:34,040 Speaker 1: put it to bed right now. So yeah, it's you know, 368 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: I hear this all the time, speaking mental health will 369 00:21:37,040 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: not cause you to lose your security clearance. I mean, 370 00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:44,199 Speaker 1: it's just we've got we've pulled all the numbers on 371 00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:48,639 Speaker 1: why people lose their security clearance. Now you know, if 372 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: you have, you know, something very directory, I use drugs 373 00:21:53,320 --> 00:21:55,960 Speaker 1: and I went to seek behavior out, then yeah, you 374 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:58,760 Speaker 1: might lose security clarers because you went to seek behavior 375 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 1: eal its because you were something illegal. So but I 376 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 1: think sometimes those two are put together and it's like, oh, 377 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:08,119 Speaker 1: I went to bayor help. Yeah, but there was the 378 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 1: four other things that happened before you did that, um 379 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:14,480 Speaker 1: that caused you to lose your security guar It's not 380 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:17,160 Speaker 1: to bea avor help. So it's a very it's less 381 00:22:17,200 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: than one percent of all the people that see Babor helped, 382 00:22:21,440 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 1: you know, will lose a security clearance. But that's usually 383 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,240 Speaker 1: something pretty extreme. But like I said, it's usually two 384 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 1: to three things kind of piled on that that kind 385 00:22:32,040 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 1: of caused us to, you know, look at these security clients. Okay, 386 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 1: and you know, um, back when I was in you know, 387 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:44,920 Speaker 1: around the same time you started. So I'm gonna date 388 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 1: myself a little bit again there. But you know, we 389 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:51,320 Speaker 1: always were concerned about the dynamics between n c o 390 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:55,400 Speaker 1: s and officers. Um, how do you feel that is working? 391 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:59,640 Speaker 1: You know, and and this era because you know, we're 392 00:22:59,640 --> 00:23:02,080 Speaker 1: we're went through so many changes. Are the n c 393 00:23:02,200 --> 00:23:06,800 Speaker 1: o s and officers? Is that dynamic working better today 394 00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 1: than maybe it did in my time? Yeah? I think 395 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 1: the officer and into relationship is you know, it's alive 396 00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 1: and well we have you know, you know, I like 397 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:21,359 Speaker 1: to say this, and it does it This question doesn't 398 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 1: come on too but I will say we have we 399 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:29,960 Speaker 1: have the greatest intio corps out of any service in 400 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:35,280 Speaker 1: any country that I ever seen. And that's that comes 401 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:39,200 Speaker 1: with the trust of our officers. If our officers didn't 402 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:42,720 Speaker 1: trust our noncommissioned officers we wouldn't have a great NTIO Corps. 403 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:46,679 Speaker 1: It just it just wouldn't happen. So we continue to 404 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:50,920 Speaker 1: have the greatest army because our officers trust said, okay, 405 00:23:51,359 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: uh in sergeant, you can go do this. If we 406 00:23:53,680 --> 00:23:56,080 Speaker 1: take that away, you know, they would have to do it, 407 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:59,360 Speaker 1: and then you know, we'd be like a whole bunch 408 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:02,160 Speaker 1: of other armies, uh in the world. So I still 409 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:04,800 Speaker 1: think that we that's why we have the greatest army 410 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:06,440 Speaker 1: in the world, because our n c O s can 411 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,920 Speaker 1: do things that allow our officers to work at the 412 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:14,240 Speaker 1: really hard stuff. You know, they provide you know, even 413 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:16,400 Speaker 1: all the way down to the junior level. If I say, 414 00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:19,359 Speaker 1: if you provide me the resources, I will get the 415 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:21,720 Speaker 1: soldier's train you know. You give me the range, the 416 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 1: AMMO and the time usually the time as the big one, 417 00:24:26,359 --> 00:24:28,240 Speaker 1: you know, and then you know, the n c O 418 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:31,239 Speaker 1: will bring in the expertise on how to qualify the 419 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:34,160 Speaker 1: expert out to zero your weapon, you know, physical little 420 00:24:34,160 --> 00:24:37,679 Speaker 1: fitness you know. Uh. And then that's how great our 421 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:42,119 Speaker 1: army is is because of those two pieces work together. Um. 422 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:45,600 Speaker 1: That allows us to do more than any other service 423 00:24:46,359 --> 00:24:48,680 Speaker 1: or any other country that I've seen in the world. 424 00:24:48,960 --> 00:24:52,119 Speaker 1: It's like, oh, we can do more because we allow 425 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 1: our n c as to do that and and and 426 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 1: that continues to expound. Uh. It's Uh, it was great 427 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,000 Speaker 1: when I first came in the army, and it's just 428 00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:04,280 Speaker 1: as great, if not more than where I'm at right now. 429 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:08,120 Speaker 1: Our officers allow us, they trust us. Uh. We gotta 430 00:25:08,160 --> 00:25:11,720 Speaker 1: earn that trust every day. Um. And that's another thing 431 00:25:12,040 --> 00:25:15,640 Speaker 1: about my squad is I have to build that trust 432 00:25:16,080 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: in my squad every day. My person with the Secretary 433 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,040 Speaker 1: in the Chief, I have to they have to trust 434 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 1: that when I'm going out to check on you know, 435 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 1: a National Guards been at their checkpoint in d C, 436 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:30,440 Speaker 1: that I know what I'm doing and I'm going to 437 00:25:30,520 --> 00:25:33,800 Speaker 1: give them honest feedback from what I see, and they 438 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:36,439 Speaker 1: trust that I'm gonna do that. Well. Uh, if I 439 00:25:36,440 --> 00:25:38,920 Speaker 1: don't have that trust, it's hard to go do any 440 00:25:38,920 --> 00:25:41,720 Speaker 1: of those things. So I think that relationship is there, 441 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,800 Speaker 1: and I see it at all levels, and I'm really 442 00:25:44,840 --> 00:25:47,240 Speaker 1: proud of it. And I think it's gonna continue to 443 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:49,640 Speaker 1: evan flood. We're gonna see places where that doesn't work 444 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:53,160 Speaker 1: so well, and then you know, we'll try to do better. 445 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:56,840 Speaker 1: And but it's usually based off of trust, and I 446 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:00,119 Speaker 1: think that's still going well. And I'm really proud of 447 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:03,080 Speaker 1: how the officer and intia relationship works in the United 448 00:26:03,080 --> 00:26:07,120 Speaker 1: States Army. And you know, speaking of I mean you're 449 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:12,399 Speaker 1: you're obviously dealing with a lot higher you know, interactions 450 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:16,000 Speaker 1: of the average soldier does, but it all goes back 451 00:26:16,160 --> 00:26:18,439 Speaker 1: and you talked about it being a position of trust. 452 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:21,199 Speaker 1: And you know, we used to tell I was an 453 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: instructor at the s F School and when guys who 454 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:27,720 Speaker 1: come through s F A S and they would, you know, 455 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:31,359 Speaker 1: come through it, always tell them you're you're always being 456 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:34,919 Speaker 1: assessed and it will never stop from the time you 457 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:38,840 Speaker 1: enter the army until the time you leave, because you 458 00:26:38,880 --> 00:26:43,000 Speaker 1: know that that level of trust and that assessment continues, 459 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:47,040 Speaker 1: and as you grow and you get different and higher ranks, 460 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:50,639 Speaker 1: you'll be looked upon even harder. It doesn't get easier, 461 00:26:50,680 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 1: It gets harder as you go on. And I'm sure 462 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:56,440 Speaker 1: that you can attest to that. Oh yeah, every day 463 00:26:56,560 --> 00:27:01,919 Speaker 1: I get assessed. Um, sometimes in red it I don't know, Twitter, 464 00:27:02,160 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: you name it, so um some people I think really 465 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 1: hate me. So uh, you're right, you know, hwer you go, 466 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:12,320 Speaker 1: you get a lot of assessments of the starve as 467 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:15,239 Speaker 1: the army, you get a lot of um, some not 468 00:27:15,320 --> 00:27:18,879 Speaker 1: so positive. But you know, I think that that's okay. 469 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,119 Speaker 1: You know, some people say, why do you you gotta 470 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:26,200 Speaker 1: you gotta, you gotta go into this. Um, you gotta 471 00:27:26,240 --> 00:27:29,879 Speaker 1: be willing to do what you think is right, and 472 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:34,600 Speaker 1: that's not always gonna be you know what people want. Um, 473 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:36,880 Speaker 1: and that's kind of comes with part of the job 474 00:27:36,920 --> 00:27:39,400 Speaker 1: as some of that criticism. I think that's what makes 475 00:27:39,480 --> 00:27:42,639 Speaker 1: us great. We take the criticism and then maybe I 476 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 1: need to do something better. Um, maybe one of those 477 00:27:45,520 --> 00:27:47,760 Speaker 1: posts and social media maybe the right, Maybe I need 478 00:27:47,800 --> 00:27:50,360 Speaker 1: to do something there, and we look at those and uh, 479 00:27:50,680 --> 00:27:53,639 Speaker 1: and I have to do my own personal assessment. Um. 480 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:56,080 Speaker 1: Sometimes I get a lot more feedback and other times. 481 00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:59,119 Speaker 1: But I think that's what's great about the Army. We 482 00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:01,639 Speaker 1: can be critical. We take it and say do I 483 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:04,240 Speaker 1: need to do better? And if I do, then you know, 484 00:28:04,480 --> 00:28:08,240 Speaker 1: broa do better. And if you don't, you know, um, 485 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:10,320 Speaker 1: you know, take it for what it's worth. But UM, 486 00:28:11,200 --> 00:28:13,359 Speaker 1: I think you're right. You're You're always going to be 487 00:28:13,359 --> 00:28:16,400 Speaker 1: assessed and this time, you know, when you start major army, 488 00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:18,600 Speaker 1: I got a million plus people that are assessed me 489 00:28:18,640 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: all the time. Maybe, so, Uh, you have to have 490 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:26,879 Speaker 1: a thick skin at that point. I mean you have 491 00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 1: to be able to take it, you know, constructively, but 492 00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:31,480 Speaker 1: you still have to have kind of a thick skin 493 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 1: because we know how social media can be. And we'll 494 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:40,320 Speaker 1: get into that in a few minutes. But let's sorry, 495 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:44,320 Speaker 1: maybe let's talk about you know what what's upcoming obviously 496 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:48,360 Speaker 1: tomorrow and again for our listeners out there, we are 497 00:28:48,440 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 1: recording this on Tuesday morning, prior to the inauguration. Uh, 498 00:28:54,080 --> 00:28:56,520 Speaker 1: there's a lot of rumors out there, and you know, 499 00:28:56,560 --> 00:28:58,520 Speaker 1: by the time everyone here's this, it will be after 500 00:28:58,560 --> 00:29:02,160 Speaker 1: the fact. But it's seems like there's there's a lot 501 00:29:02,240 --> 00:29:06,560 Speaker 1: of preparation in the event that there's a problem tomorrow. 502 00:29:06,600 --> 00:29:09,720 Speaker 1: And can you speak to how well the soldiers are 503 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 1: have been deployed. We're seeing pictures of them sleeping all 504 00:29:13,040 --> 00:29:15,440 Speaker 1: over the capital. As we all know, soldiers can sleep 505 00:29:15,440 --> 00:29:19,080 Speaker 1: anywhere at any time if they have five minutes. But um, 506 00:29:19,120 --> 00:29:21,920 Speaker 1: you know, can you speak to the preparations that are 507 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:26,840 Speaker 1: going on in the jobs that the soldiers are doing. Yeah, 508 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:29,240 Speaker 1: I can tell you I am really proud of our 509 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:33,400 Speaker 1: National Guard. Um. I couldn't be more proud of how 510 00:29:33,440 --> 00:29:36,320 Speaker 1: that I mean this is I mean, you know, the 511 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:39,640 Speaker 1: Army National Guard, so our Major John Sampa, you know, 512 00:29:39,800 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 1: we're we're constantly going out and assessing our soldiers and 513 00:29:43,320 --> 00:29:46,960 Speaker 1: see how we're doing. Um and he and I talked 514 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:48,960 Speaker 1: about I said, you know, we just did. You know, 515 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:52,160 Speaker 1: this is a big mobilization. So you know, if you 516 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:54,440 Speaker 1: want to look at you know, how to mobilize the Guard, 517 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:58,560 Speaker 1: this is it. And think about thirteen days ago. You know, 518 00:29:59,760 --> 00:30:03,800 Speaker 1: we did not have twenty five thousand troops and mobilized 519 00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 1: across fifty states in d C. So I'm extremely impressed 520 00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:11,880 Speaker 1: with what our National Guard soldiers have done to do. 521 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:14,479 Speaker 1: This is no kidding, drop what you're doing and go. 522 00:30:14,800 --> 00:30:17,440 Speaker 1: So a lot of times they may ask for, you know, 523 00:30:17,480 --> 00:30:19,720 Speaker 1: who would like to go do this mission and people 524 00:30:19,760 --> 00:30:23,120 Speaker 1: say I'll go do it, But with you it was 525 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:25,240 Speaker 1: not hey who would like to go? This is your 526 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:28,160 Speaker 1: going and you're and we're all going now. So uh, 527 00:30:28,440 --> 00:30:31,960 Speaker 1: I'm really impressed with how the Guard has reacted to this, 528 00:30:32,680 --> 00:30:36,480 Speaker 1: and I'm extremely proud of them, and and they're well prepared. 529 00:30:36,560 --> 00:30:40,000 Speaker 1: I mean I was at the capital and you know, 530 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 1: you know, I see the soldiers, he said, kit and 531 00:30:42,840 --> 00:30:45,080 Speaker 1: then right next to him was a commander and the 532 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,120 Speaker 1: first sergeant, and they you know, here's my area, this 533 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 1: is what I'm responsible, here's my duties, here's my task, 534 00:30:51,960 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 1: my purpose, and this is what I've been assigned to 535 00:30:54,680 --> 00:30:59,480 Speaker 1: do to the person. Um. So I'm extremely proud of 536 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:04,840 Speaker 1: how they have mobilized and prepared for this mission. And 537 00:31:04,880 --> 00:31:07,200 Speaker 1: I'm gonna I'm gonna go out. You're right that you're 538 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:09,040 Speaker 1: gonna hear about this. You're gonna judge me because I'm 539 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: gonna say right now, Uh, the inauguration is going to 540 00:31:12,480 --> 00:31:18,960 Speaker 1: be a nice, peaceful, wonderful event without incident. And I 541 00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:23,320 Speaker 1: will be judged when you hear this. Well that's going 542 00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:27,640 Speaker 1: on records. So uh but yeah, you know, speaking just 543 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:30,160 Speaker 1: from my own stuff, I don't expect that there's going 544 00:31:30,200 --> 00:31:32,520 Speaker 1: to be an issue there, but you know, we've been 545 00:31:32,560 --> 00:31:35,040 Speaker 1: proven wrong before. But it's good to know that the 546 00:31:35,040 --> 00:31:39,120 Speaker 1: troops are prepared for that. And um, you know a 547 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:45,360 Speaker 1: lot of what transpired a few weeks ago was um, 548 00:31:45,400 --> 00:31:49,560 Speaker 1: you know, blamed on social media and how things were 549 00:31:49,600 --> 00:31:53,880 Speaker 1: perceived and said on social media. Is with that being said, 550 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:57,400 Speaker 1: I know the army has rules on social media is 551 00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:01,239 Speaker 1: because of that will will anything subject to change in 552 00:32:01,280 --> 00:32:06,400 Speaker 1: the future. Uh, We're always looking for the rules on 553 00:32:06,480 --> 00:32:12,920 Speaker 1: social media. UM, you know, so we're constantly assessing this. Um. 554 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:15,719 Speaker 1: You know, our policy is to think, type and post, 555 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:20,680 Speaker 1: but you know, we're always getting folks that do things 556 00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:23,840 Speaker 1: and I'm just gonna go, okay, well, UH what I 557 00:32:23,880 --> 00:32:27,040 Speaker 1: would say is, if you know, if you're doing something 558 00:32:27,400 --> 00:32:31,320 Speaker 1: that's illegal and you're doing that in social media, uh, 559 00:32:31,480 --> 00:32:35,560 Speaker 1: you know, that's where you know you will and you 560 00:32:35,640 --> 00:32:39,280 Speaker 1: can get in trouble. So UM, this kind of comes 561 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:42,320 Speaker 1: up all the time. But we're constantly evaluating how we 562 00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:44,120 Speaker 1: act and this is a new space that we're in. 563 00:32:44,240 --> 00:32:47,080 Speaker 1: And I thought, you know, I think it's the gone 564 00:32:47,080 --> 00:32:49,120 Speaker 1: of to days that you can type anything you want 565 00:32:49,320 --> 00:32:52,800 Speaker 1: in social media. Um, you know, because like you said, 566 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 1: we're all being assessed. If you say something that's inappropriate, 567 00:32:57,520 --> 00:33:00,560 Speaker 1: you know, those things will be looked into. I wanted 568 00:33:00,560 --> 00:33:03,120 Speaker 1: to ask you about some changes that came through a 569 00:33:03,200 --> 00:33:07,640 Speaker 1: basic training uh in the Army Physical Fitness Test. I 570 00:33:07,640 --> 00:33:12,720 Speaker 1: know that those are still ongoing, but do you feel like, uh, 571 00:33:12,960 --> 00:33:17,640 Speaker 1: was there a procedural process that you went through that say, okay, 572 00:33:17,720 --> 00:33:20,880 Speaker 1: we've we've seen something and where our war fighters can 573 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:24,880 Speaker 1: be better equipped to handle the rigors of combat in 574 00:33:24,920 --> 00:33:31,200 Speaker 1: the future. Yeah, I'll start off with the first, the 575 00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:34,200 Speaker 1: changes in basic training. So you know, a lot of 576 00:33:34,240 --> 00:33:36,600 Speaker 1: people said, oh, you know, we got it was called 577 00:33:36,600 --> 00:33:40,000 Speaker 1: the shark tack. I'm not sure they explained that to me. 578 00:33:40,000 --> 00:33:41,320 Speaker 1: When I was a drill starting, that was called the 579 00:33:41,320 --> 00:33:44,680 Speaker 1: shark attack, So, uh what whatever, we wanna call it 580 00:33:44,960 --> 00:33:46,719 Speaker 1: the shark attack. And they said, hey, we're not doing 581 00:33:46,800 --> 00:33:48,960 Speaker 1: that anymore. We're gonna call it the first hundred yards. 582 00:33:49,520 --> 00:33:51,520 Speaker 1: And so I was like, ah, you know, the army's 583 00:33:51,520 --> 00:33:54,560 Speaker 1: getting saft. We're gonna you know, I don't know, I've 584 00:33:54,560 --> 00:33:56,480 Speaker 1: seen it. You know again on social media you see 585 00:33:56,520 --> 00:33:59,920 Speaker 1: all kinds of count it. Um, nothing could be further 586 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:03,760 Speaker 1: from the truth. It's much harder than I was a 587 00:34:03,840 --> 00:34:09,759 Speaker 1: drill starting in uh n seven, Um, you know nice. 588 00:34:10,680 --> 00:34:13,600 Speaker 1: So I tell you the way the soldiers for him. 589 00:34:13,680 --> 00:34:17,880 Speaker 1: I mean that that first day is it is tough. 590 00:34:18,280 --> 00:34:21,279 Speaker 1: And anybody that thinks it's it's easy, and you know 591 00:34:21,440 --> 00:34:24,160 Speaker 1: it's much what you went through was much harder. I 592 00:34:24,200 --> 00:34:26,640 Speaker 1: will ask you all come join me and I'll let 593 00:34:26,640 --> 00:34:28,920 Speaker 1: you go through that first hundred yards and see how 594 00:34:28,960 --> 00:34:33,879 Speaker 1: you do. Um, so it is it is not easy. 595 00:34:33,920 --> 00:34:36,080 Speaker 1: I mean it went. I mean it's like you know, 596 00:34:36,560 --> 00:34:39,239 Speaker 1: after about two hours, like okay, if finally they will 597 00:34:39,239 --> 00:34:42,120 Speaker 1: get to their bay, so you know, they may run 598 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:44,480 Speaker 1: a mile right off the bat. Then they got tasks. 599 00:34:44,800 --> 00:34:48,760 Speaker 1: It's not the drill starting against the the recruits anymore. 600 00:34:48,920 --> 00:34:51,800 Speaker 1: It's the task. So they just give them a series 601 00:34:51,840 --> 00:34:54,960 Speaker 1: of task that builds a team work that remember this 602 00:34:55,040 --> 00:34:58,000 Speaker 1: is my squad. How do I work as a team. 603 00:34:58,120 --> 00:35:00,520 Speaker 1: This is how we do it, and it just you know, 604 00:35:00,680 --> 00:35:03,480 Speaker 1: they don't complete the task, which most of them don't. 605 00:35:03,719 --> 00:35:05,440 Speaker 1: You know, they're gonna get some correct to training. They're 606 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:08,719 Speaker 1: gonna they got another task and some of those air 607 00:35:08,760 --> 00:35:10,600 Speaker 1: physical tasks that have to run them mile and then 608 00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:14,680 Speaker 1: they keep going. So uh yeah, I encourage anyone if 609 00:35:14,719 --> 00:35:17,319 Speaker 1: you think it's uh, if it's easier, let me know 610 00:35:17,719 --> 00:35:20,719 Speaker 1: and we'll take you out for that first time. I 611 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:24,160 Speaker 1: remember that first Dave quite well. I think, uh for 612 00:35:24,400 --> 00:35:28,560 Speaker 1: Benning dropped six inches and elevation from all the push 613 00:35:28,680 --> 00:35:32,080 Speaker 1: ups we did, and uh, it's it helps. I mean, 614 00:35:32,280 --> 00:35:36,239 Speaker 1: it's it's a culture shock, as as we all know, 615 00:35:36,480 --> 00:35:39,400 Speaker 1: coming from you know, the civilian world to the military. 616 00:35:39,440 --> 00:35:43,799 Speaker 1: And that's the best way I think to get the 617 00:35:43,840 --> 00:35:46,680 Speaker 1: soldiers into that military frame of mind. It's no longer 618 00:35:46,680 --> 00:35:50,480 Speaker 1: about individual it's you know, the team comes first, Your 619 00:35:50,520 --> 00:35:55,120 Speaker 1: teammates come second, and individually you come third. And uh, 620 00:35:55,320 --> 00:35:57,239 Speaker 1: that's the way I was always taught, and I'm sure 621 00:35:57,280 --> 00:36:00,920 Speaker 1: it hasn't changed. Yeah, it's still that way. We just 622 00:36:01,040 --> 00:36:05,279 Speaker 1: reinforced teamwork now as opposed to, like I said, the 623 00:36:05,360 --> 00:36:07,600 Speaker 1: stressor in the beginning, when I was really starting, that 624 00:36:07,680 --> 00:36:10,040 Speaker 1: was the stress between the drill starting and the soldier. 625 00:36:10,840 --> 00:36:14,760 Speaker 1: Now it's the stress of the task, uh, and building 626 00:36:14,760 --> 00:36:18,719 Speaker 1: teamwork and the soldier not you know, some other individuals. 627 00:36:19,239 --> 00:36:21,480 Speaker 1: The second thing you talked about, and you know, we 628 00:36:21,480 --> 00:36:23,279 Speaker 1: could talk about this in closing, is the you know, 629 00:36:23,320 --> 00:36:28,440 Speaker 1: the Army combat fitness test. UM. Clearly, this is a 630 00:36:28,480 --> 00:36:32,520 Speaker 1: little bit more challenging than I anticipated that we go through. Uh. 631 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:36,799 Speaker 1: So there's some language in the National Defense Authorization Act 632 00:36:36,840 --> 00:36:39,439 Speaker 1: that we need to do an independent study to look 633 00:36:39,520 --> 00:36:42,839 Speaker 1: at the Army combat fitness tests. We're starting that we've 634 00:36:42,880 --> 00:36:46,920 Speaker 1: already started, so we've assigned the folks to look at it. Um. 635 00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:51,200 Speaker 1: We'll have the final results in December, so we you know, 636 00:36:51,239 --> 00:36:55,560 Speaker 1: we're still hopeful that you know, the Army combat fitness tests, 637 00:36:55,600 --> 00:36:59,640 Speaker 1: unless barrying some new laws will come to fruition in 638 00:36:59,760 --> 00:37:02,600 Speaker 1: mark to two. But there's this is a it's a 639 00:37:02,640 --> 00:37:06,360 Speaker 1: really good test. It builds a total fitness. You know, 640 00:37:06,400 --> 00:37:09,239 Speaker 1: it's six events as opposed to three. It's not just 641 00:37:09,480 --> 00:37:11,319 Speaker 1: you know, it doesn't work on one side of the body. 642 00:37:11,360 --> 00:37:13,000 Speaker 1: It's both the front and the back, you know, the 643 00:37:13,000 --> 00:37:16,520 Speaker 1: posterior in the anterior, so that you work those muscles 644 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:19,719 Speaker 1: that you don't normally use. And the whole goal is 645 00:37:19,760 --> 00:37:23,279 Speaker 1: to make us more fit. So there's no other goal. 646 00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:26,480 Speaker 1: You know, Uh, there's no other reason. It's not to 647 00:37:26,560 --> 00:37:30,920 Speaker 1: be you know, exclusive. It's to be inclusive to make 648 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:34,799 Speaker 1: sure that we all have a better fitness and and 649 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:39,080 Speaker 1: when we work on these tests, uh, these events, it 650 00:37:39,120 --> 00:37:42,160 Speaker 1: will make us a more fit army. We still have 651 00:37:42,480 --> 00:37:45,319 Speaker 1: you know, about a year to look at this. We've 652 00:37:45,320 --> 00:37:49,480 Speaker 1: made changes from the beginning, so we're starting to call 653 00:37:49,520 --> 00:37:52,120 Speaker 1: them two point Oh. We've got a proposal for a 654 00:37:52,840 --> 00:37:55,080 Speaker 1: three DOTO that it will be coming out pretty soon. 655 00:37:55,840 --> 00:37:58,960 Speaker 1: Uh So this isn't you know, it's not setting stone 656 00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:01,239 Speaker 1: exactly what it's gonna fike, And neither was the O 657 00:38:01,400 --> 00:38:05,000 Speaker 1: pay eight Army Physical FITNISH tests. It changed over time too, 658 00:38:05,040 --> 00:38:08,799 Speaker 1: so this is no different. But we're still I'm still 659 00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:11,400 Speaker 1: excited to see if we can get this done in 660 00:38:11,400 --> 00:38:14,600 Speaker 1: the next year, so this will be good for Army UM. 661 00:38:14,680 --> 00:38:17,440 Speaker 1: So we're we're still moving it forward as best we 662 00:38:17,520 --> 00:38:20,480 Speaker 1: can with the new Army Combat bit. This test, it's 663 00:38:20,560 --> 00:38:23,120 Speaker 1: quite challenging. I mean, I'm an older guy now, but 664 00:38:23,360 --> 00:38:27,839 Speaker 1: I tried it, and it's not easy. I'll tell you. 665 00:38:28,040 --> 00:38:31,759 Speaker 1: It's especially those uh what do they call those linked 666 00:38:31,800 --> 00:38:38,000 Speaker 1: tuck things there that isn't that's pretty challenging even you know, 667 00:38:38,080 --> 00:38:41,839 Speaker 1: for us older folks. But everybody likes the leg tug. 668 00:38:43,760 --> 00:38:47,759 Speaker 1: Just embrace it, embrace the suck and get over writ. 669 00:38:47,880 --> 00:38:50,640 Speaker 1: And you know, if you embrace it, then you'll get 670 00:38:50,680 --> 00:38:52,840 Speaker 1: better at it. It's like everything else, the more you 671 00:38:52,880 --> 00:38:55,280 Speaker 1: work at it. But yeah, we did do an altimate 672 00:38:55,280 --> 00:38:57,920 Speaker 1: event because a lot of soldiers are struggling with the 673 00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:01,560 Speaker 1: leg tug and how you can do a plank. You 674 00:39:01,600 --> 00:39:04,839 Speaker 1: can do one leg tuck or two minutes of plank. Um. 675 00:39:04,880 --> 00:39:06,640 Speaker 1: I'mnna be honest with you, because I can do a 676 00:39:06,680 --> 00:39:09,800 Speaker 1: leg tuck. I much prefer to get that five seconds 677 00:39:09,800 --> 00:39:11,960 Speaker 1: of one leg tuck as opposed to the two minutes 678 00:39:12,000 --> 00:39:16,839 Speaker 1: of plan plan. But there is an alternate event um 679 00:39:16,960 --> 00:39:20,239 Speaker 1: for the leg tech uh so like in and that's 680 00:39:20,360 --> 00:39:23,160 Speaker 1: version two point out. So the reasonable version didn't have that. 681 00:39:23,280 --> 00:39:27,400 Speaker 1: So that's what I mean. It continues to evolve. Um. 682 00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:29,399 Speaker 1: So our goal is to get this right to make 683 00:39:29,480 --> 00:39:33,279 Speaker 1: us a better fit army. Now. I know we're we're 684 00:39:33,360 --> 00:39:35,960 Speaker 1: running short on time because you're a busy man right now. 685 00:39:36,040 --> 00:39:39,480 Speaker 1: But are there any other issues that are near and 686 00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:42,120 Speaker 1: dear to you right now that you want to you know, 687 00:39:42,239 --> 00:39:46,279 Speaker 1: speak about with what's going on with our military and 688 00:39:46,280 --> 00:39:50,000 Speaker 1: our NCY old car out there and soldiers now, just 689 00:39:50,360 --> 00:39:53,520 Speaker 1: you know, there's a lot of things, um that we're 690 00:39:53,560 --> 00:39:56,319 Speaker 1: trying to do better with our n c o s 691 00:39:56,440 --> 00:40:00,520 Speaker 1: and our soldiers and the whole army. You know, it's 692 00:40:00,560 --> 00:40:05,040 Speaker 1: this whole you know culture of getting to know yourselves 693 00:40:05,280 --> 00:40:10,600 Speaker 1: and getting to know your people. Um. And it's not 694 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:13,840 Speaker 1: that we we didn't have a time that wasn't important, 695 00:40:13,880 --> 00:40:17,439 Speaker 1: that was always important, but we just you know, we're 696 00:40:17,440 --> 00:40:21,200 Speaker 1: in you know, twenty years now, uh you know, still 697 00:40:21,280 --> 00:40:24,239 Speaker 1: soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The number may have gone down, 698 00:40:24,280 --> 00:40:26,680 Speaker 1: but they still have soldiers in Iraq and a Khanistan. 699 00:40:26,719 --> 00:40:30,560 Speaker 1: We've done that for twenty years UM. And then we 700 00:40:30,640 --> 00:40:33,920 Speaker 1: still have over a hundred eighty thousand soldiers for deployed 701 00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:39,080 Speaker 1: somewhere outside the US, somewhere across the globe. Uh So 702 00:40:39,680 --> 00:40:42,560 Speaker 1: your army is still busy. But with all that, with 703 00:40:42,600 --> 00:40:44,600 Speaker 1: all that going on, I said, that's what's going on 704 00:40:44,640 --> 00:40:48,320 Speaker 1: in Iraq, Afghanistan. But like you said in the beginning, 705 00:40:49,200 --> 00:40:52,480 Speaker 1: those things that that your army has done in the 706 00:40:52,520 --> 00:40:58,759 Speaker 1: background and this last year have been phenomenal. And you're right, 707 00:40:58,840 --> 00:41:01,280 Speaker 1: maybe it doesn't make the news, maybe doesn't make the news. 708 00:41:01,320 --> 00:41:04,520 Speaker 1: That blood did make the news, and we killed so many, 709 00:41:04,760 --> 00:41:08,880 Speaker 1: but you know, the to reduce those tensions between the 710 00:41:09,000 --> 00:41:11,479 Speaker 1: US and Iran, it's because we have a strong army 711 00:41:12,120 --> 00:41:17,200 Speaker 1: UM sending out the first troops to go to New 712 00:41:17,320 --> 00:41:20,640 Speaker 1: York and Washington State to help with COVID. We're active 713 00:41:20,719 --> 00:41:25,839 Speaker 1: duty soldiers out of our medical treatment facilities. UM. One 714 00:41:25,880 --> 00:41:30,680 Speaker 1: of the highest hurricane seasons we've had in years have 715 00:41:30,800 --> 00:41:35,200 Speaker 1: been your active duty Army and your National Guard soldiers 716 00:41:35,280 --> 00:41:39,120 Speaker 1: making sure that Danley's could be taken care of if 717 00:41:39,160 --> 00:41:41,920 Speaker 1: they just got flooded out of their House. Oh and 718 00:41:41,960 --> 00:41:45,360 Speaker 1: by the way, their forest fires going on and in 719 00:41:45,440 --> 00:41:48,680 Speaker 1: the Western States we have National Guard alerted to go 720 00:41:48,760 --> 00:41:52,279 Speaker 1: do that, all while COVID still going on. So all 721 00:41:52,360 --> 00:41:58,240 Speaker 1: those things, um, that are in the background that we're doing. UM, 722 00:41:58,320 --> 00:42:01,799 Speaker 1: you know it's still there and it may not make 723 00:42:01,840 --> 00:42:04,920 Speaker 1: the news, but I can promise you your army has 724 00:42:04,960 --> 00:42:08,799 Speaker 1: been here. It's been rock steady, it's been solid. We've 725 00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:11,600 Speaker 1: been every task we've been asked to do. We just 726 00:42:11,640 --> 00:42:14,560 Speaker 1: want to I call it head down. You know, we're 727 00:42:14,560 --> 00:42:16,960 Speaker 1: not in it to make any press. We're here to 728 00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:19,200 Speaker 1: to make sure our people are safe and taken care of. 729 00:42:19,600 --> 00:42:22,080 Speaker 1: And that's no matter what. And in the last year 730 00:42:22,280 --> 00:42:28,239 Speaker 1: COVID still unrest, UM combat operations and Iraq, Afghanistan and 731 00:42:28,360 --> 00:42:31,600 Speaker 1: Syria around the globe. Uh, your army is still there, 732 00:42:32,239 --> 00:42:34,440 Speaker 1: um and we're going to continue to be the steady 733 00:42:35,520 --> 00:42:40,680 Speaker 1: organization in the near future. Outstanding And about the COVID 734 00:42:40,840 --> 00:42:46,040 Speaker 1: um our soldiers is getting a priority of being vaccine 735 00:42:46,120 --> 00:42:50,239 Speaker 1: for this. Yeah, we're still using you know, the guidelines 736 00:42:50,280 --> 00:42:54,200 Speaker 1: from the CDC. So uh, we have a very good 737 00:42:54,280 --> 00:42:56,279 Speaker 1: list on who that goes. But we're still doing the 738 00:42:56,320 --> 00:43:00,200 Speaker 1: same thing. If it's a medical professional those uh still 739 00:43:00,280 --> 00:43:03,480 Speaker 1: at the top of the list. Um, but we you know, 740 00:43:03,520 --> 00:43:06,759 Speaker 1: the army leads. We don't talk about exact numbers of 741 00:43:07,160 --> 00:43:11,399 Speaker 1: has been vaccinated, but you know we are if there 742 00:43:11,400 --> 00:43:15,239 Speaker 1: there are no doses sitting idle, you know, so you know, 743 00:43:15,280 --> 00:43:18,400 Speaker 1: as we get doses, they're out. But we're still using 744 00:43:18,520 --> 00:43:21,440 Speaker 1: some of the CDC guyline guy lives from the sector, 745 00:43:21,640 --> 00:43:25,680 Speaker 1: the d D. But we're you know, we're moving out. Um. 746 00:43:25,719 --> 00:43:29,160 Speaker 1: We're at a very high of injection rate. I think 747 00:43:29,160 --> 00:43:32,799 Speaker 1: we're over seventy percent of the soldiers out there. Um. 748 00:43:32,920 --> 00:43:36,080 Speaker 1: The key is, you know, get vaccinated if you're in 749 00:43:36,160 --> 00:43:40,320 Speaker 1: that party. Um, you know, take the vaccine. We don't 750 00:43:41,000 --> 00:43:43,960 Speaker 1: we don't need as a country. We don't need people 751 00:43:44,040 --> 00:43:46,520 Speaker 1: going oh, I'm not gonna do it because uh, I 752 00:43:46,520 --> 00:43:50,600 Speaker 1: don't think that would be healthy for our country. No, Um, 753 00:43:50,680 --> 00:43:53,520 Speaker 1: and good luck to you. I know that. You know, 754 00:43:53,600 --> 00:43:58,160 Speaker 1: starting tomorrow, you're gonna have a lot new a lot 755 00:43:58,320 --> 00:44:00,880 Speaker 1: more new faces, I should say, in the chain of 756 00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:04,920 Speaker 1: commands so things. I'm sure that will be a challenge 757 00:44:04,960 --> 00:44:07,880 Speaker 1: because now you have to learn all the new uh 758 00:44:08,040 --> 00:44:10,520 Speaker 1: faces and put names to them. All that are that 759 00:44:10,560 --> 00:44:13,520 Speaker 1: are gonna be upcoming. But I have to mention one thing, 760 00:44:13,560 --> 00:44:16,319 Speaker 1: I'm pretty pretty jealous of follow you guys now. The 761 00:44:16,400 --> 00:44:20,040 Speaker 1: new uniforms, the pink and greens were always my favorite. 762 00:44:20,040 --> 00:44:22,480 Speaker 1: My dad fought in World War Two. I've seen the 763 00:44:22,480 --> 00:44:26,080 Speaker 1: pictures of him in his dress uniform and I thought 764 00:44:26,160 --> 00:44:29,719 Speaker 1: those were the sharpest uniforms the Army ever had. And 765 00:44:29,760 --> 00:44:34,520 Speaker 1: how how's the reaction been as that's being changed over? Yeah, 766 00:44:34,560 --> 00:44:37,520 Speaker 1: I mean everybody you know, he can't. Everybody's like, I 767 00:44:37,520 --> 00:44:42,040 Speaker 1: want them, when do I get mine? State? The reaction 768 00:44:42,080 --> 00:44:48,000 Speaker 1: has been received extremely well. Um, So everybody likes them. 769 00:44:48,040 --> 00:44:50,200 Speaker 1: We're going to make We'll probably make a few little 770 00:44:50,200 --> 00:44:54,400 Speaker 1: toy changes, just like all uniforms we do. But overall 771 00:44:54,800 --> 00:44:57,640 Speaker 1: everybody likes the man public and everybody. I think it's 772 00:44:57,640 --> 00:45:01,160 Speaker 1: a sharp looking uniform and we all like it. Um. 773 00:45:01,200 --> 00:45:04,520 Speaker 1: And I will say, you talked about the leadership changed. 774 00:45:04,560 --> 00:45:09,120 Speaker 1: Now I can't tell you, um two things. Number one, UM, 775 00:45:09,160 --> 00:45:11,520 Speaker 1: you know, the Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy has 776 00:45:11,560 --> 00:45:15,520 Speaker 1: been a phenomenal leader, um. And his dedication to serve 777 00:45:15,640 --> 00:45:18,680 Speaker 1: you know as the other secretary and the Secretary has 778 00:45:18,719 --> 00:45:22,759 Speaker 1: been unbelievable. And his support to the soldiers and the 779 00:45:22,760 --> 00:45:26,520 Speaker 1: way he cares for soldiers. No, bun, we'll probably see 780 00:45:26,560 --> 00:45:29,080 Speaker 1: that like I do because you know he's in my squad. 781 00:45:29,640 --> 00:45:34,960 Speaker 1: But his passion um for our soldiers and families has 782 00:45:35,000 --> 00:45:38,719 Speaker 1: been phenomenal. And I couldn't think of a better uh 783 00:45:38,960 --> 00:45:41,480 Speaker 1: person to serve with as the start made in the 784 00:45:41,560 --> 00:45:45,880 Speaker 1: army and served for um than Secretary McCarthy. And and 785 00:45:45,960 --> 00:45:49,960 Speaker 1: I know there'll be changes at the top, um, But 786 00:45:50,120 --> 00:45:52,480 Speaker 1: for the army. What's great about the army We're used 787 00:45:52,480 --> 00:45:55,080 Speaker 1: to that we get a you know, a new commander 788 00:45:55,120 --> 00:45:57,439 Speaker 1: and you know it changes in command all the time, 789 00:45:57,520 --> 00:46:01,400 Speaker 1: you know, so it's um, it's the same thing. Here's 790 00:46:01,440 --> 00:46:05,160 Speaker 1: the standard we're given the army. Uh, those standards change. 791 00:46:05,200 --> 00:46:08,560 Speaker 1: You adapt if you if the standard that change, you 792 00:46:08,600 --> 00:46:11,479 Speaker 1: know again, head down, row you know, and work hard. 793 00:46:11,880 --> 00:46:15,680 Speaker 1: So again we're study. So the changes at the top 794 00:46:15,760 --> 00:46:19,359 Speaker 1: will take that guidance. But for predominantly the most Army 795 00:46:19,400 --> 00:46:21,680 Speaker 1: were used to change. We're always doing some kind of 796 00:46:21,760 --> 00:46:25,480 Speaker 1: change of command at some point. So um, stay true 797 00:46:25,520 --> 00:46:28,080 Speaker 1: to who we are, you know, focusing on those small 798 00:46:28,080 --> 00:46:30,880 Speaker 1: teams that are teams that are well trained, discipline and 799 00:46:30,880 --> 00:46:34,080 Speaker 1: fit at our cohesive teams and I think will be 800 00:46:34,200 --> 00:46:38,160 Speaker 1: just fine. Excellent Sergey Major, we really want to thank 801 00:46:38,200 --> 00:46:42,000 Speaker 1: you for joining us here today. I know, with all 802 00:46:42,080 --> 00:46:45,480 Speaker 1: that's going on in Washington and in the world, you're 803 00:46:45,520 --> 00:46:48,600 Speaker 1: a busy man, so we appreciate your insight and you're 804 00:46:48,600 --> 00:46:52,440 Speaker 1: taking the time to speak with us today, you know. 805 00:46:52,560 --> 00:46:55,520 Speaker 1: For all of us here at Suffering in softwra Previdio, 806 00:46:55,600 --> 00:46:58,960 Speaker 1: we thank you. And just a quick note folks, for 807 00:46:59,040 --> 00:47:00,960 Speaker 1: our listeners out there, if you want to get SOFTWAREP 808 00:47:00,960 --> 00:47:04,320 Speaker 1: on your phone, download our free acts, download our free 809 00:47:04,400 --> 00:47:07,960 Speaker 1: mobile app to get easy access to our articles, podcasts 810 00:47:08,000 --> 00:47:11,560 Speaker 1: and gear reviews, all perfectly formatted to fit your device. 811 00:47:11,640 --> 00:47:15,080 Speaker 1: Please describe the SOFTWAREP dot com to get access to 812 00:47:15,160 --> 00:47:17,759 Speaker 1: all our library of e books and our exclusive team 813 00:47:17,840 --> 00:47:21,040 Speaker 1: room forms and content available on Apple and all of 814 00:47:21,080 --> 00:47:25,239 Speaker 1: your Android devices. Sergey Major, thank you very much. We 815 00:47:25,320 --> 00:47:28,120 Speaker 1: wish you all the best and uh you know, hopefully 816 00:47:28,200 --> 00:47:32,880 Speaker 1: we can do this again sometime soon. Sued, thank you, okay, 817 00:47:32,920 --> 00:47:35,239 Speaker 1: And for all of us here at SOFTWAP Radio, we 818 00:47:35,280 --> 00:47:37,799 Speaker 1: want to thank all of our listeners for tuning in, 819 00:47:38,280 --> 00:47:41,439 Speaker 1: thanks for all of our input that we get from 820 00:47:41,440 --> 00:47:43,560 Speaker 1: our articles on there. We want to thank the Sergey 821 00:47:43,600 --> 00:47:45,719 Speaker 1: Major of the Army once again for taking the time 822 00:47:45,760 --> 00:47:48,360 Speaker 1: to join us for all of us here at Software 823 00:47:48,560 --> 00:47:51,400 Speaker 1: and Software Radio. Thanks for listening. We'll be back with 824 00:47:51,520 --> 00:48:10,840 Speaker 1: another podcast real soon. You've been listening to self red 825 00:48:10,960 --> 00:48:11,320 Speaker 1: Lydia