Improving quality of life and building cohesive teams are key areas of interest Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston intends to focus upon before his tenure as the service’s senior-most enlisted leader ends sometime next summer.
Speaking to an Oct. 12 audience at the Association of the U.S. Army’s (AUSA) annual meeting in Washington, Grinston cited two specific related areas of interest: returning land navigation to the curriculum for soldiers, and fine-tuning height and weight standards.
AUSA reported on its web site that the Army will no longer measure height and weight for soldiers who score 540 or higher on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).
As for the standards themselves, Grinston told the audience that “the data shows the … tables are correct.”
Ideally, Grinston would like the Army to field a force of soldiers with lower body-fat percentages.
“When you have more body fat, you are 50-pecent more likely to have an increase in injury. That’s why this is so important,” Grinston said.
Reintroducing a field craft exercise and land navigation to the Basic Leader Course would enable non-commissioned officers to build team strength and cohesiveness, Grinston said, citing the new MySquad app – which helps leaders keep tabs on their soldiers’ readiness and deployability.
Grinston also discussed efforts to curb incidents of sexual assault and suicide, and provide soldiers with incentives to live healthier lifestyles.
“If you have a great idea of something that can help us, make us better, get that up to your sergeant major to bring to our forum,” he said.
January Retirement COLA Set: 8.7 Percent for CSRS, 7.7 Percent for FERS
Watch for ‘Significant’ FEHB Plan Changes, OPM Says
Settlement over OPM Database Breaches Approved; Deadline ahead for Filing Claims
Veterans Treatment Courts and Impacting the Veteran Community
How Divorce Impacts Your Military Benefits
Contractor for New TSP System Owns Up to Missteps
PACT Act Passes for Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits, Agent Orange, and Radiation
Congress Approves New VA Personnel Authorities in PACT Act; Survey Reveals Impact of Vacancies
Under Investigation? Know Your Rights and Don’t Engage the Enemy Alone
Will ‘Outside Activities’ Lead to a Security Review?
What Veterans and Service Members Need to Know About Military Discharge Upgrades