Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Senior Enlisted Leaders Meet to Tackle Troop, Family Issues By Elaine Sanchez
                American Forces Press Service
 WASHINGTON - The military's top enlisted leaders and their spouses gathered here Tuesday to discuss the most pressing issues affecting service members' lives, and to identify possible solutions. On the first day of the Defense Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference, leaders touched on a wide range of issues including pay and benefits, suicide prevention, community awareness and outreach, and transitions from military to civilian life, Army Master Sgt. Terrence Hayes, public affairs chief for the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman, told American Forces Press Service. "This conference brings our senior leaders' experience and knowledge to the table," he said, noting the venue serves as both an idea exchange and an avenue for practical solutions. The Defense Department's most senior service member, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, is leading the conference. Battaglia serves as the senior enlisted advisor to Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Joining him for a series of roundtable discussions are Sgt. Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael Leavitt, Command Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall of the National Guard Bureau, and nine combatant command senior enlisted leaders. Earlier today, the spouses broke away to meet with First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House to discuss issues impacting military families. Seated around a table in the Pentagon, the leaders focused their attention on suicide prevention. Battaglia stressed the need to combat this universal problem. "We need to work extra hard and put in some midnight oil just to try to crack the code on it and where this is coming from," he said, stressing the need for a "significant reduction" in suicides. Navy Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer Roy Maddocks Jr. of U.S. European Command noted a need to address the three primary behavioral health risk factors: broken relationships, financial problems and legal issues, which he said often overlap. The military should be getting ahead of these problems starting from a service member's first day of service, Maddocks said. They need education on retirement planning, financial management and investments, such as the military's Thrift Savings Plan, he said. "We have, traditionally, taught these things to officers from the time they come into service, but haven't, traditionally, done it that well for enlisted," Maddocks said. "We're starting to do it more, but I don't think we're doing it well enough." Later in the day, the focus shifted to community awareness and outreach. Army Col. David Sutherland, special assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for warrior and family support, explained the DOD's efforts to raise community awareness and support for troops, veterans and their families. His staff, he said, travels across the nation to support community-based efforts to aid troops and their families with transition and reintegration. Troops don't come home to government programs, he stressed; they come home to their families, neighbors and communities. Communities must step up to embrace troops and veterans, particularly once their battle buddies are no longer by their side, the colonel said. They need new battle buddies, he added, but this time from their communities - people who can assist them in translating their skills, knowledge and attributes into civilian life and organizations. Government programs can't do it alone, but independent organizations working together at a community level can, he told the leaders. The leaders and their spouses will continue their discussions tomorrow at the Pentagon, Hayes said, and will follow up throughout the year to discuss progress and steps toward solutions.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 4 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil