The 16th Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Michael A. Grinston joins host SMA (Retired) Ken Preston, VP, NCO & Soldier Programs, AUSA, to discuss the new Expert Soldier Badge which came about as part of TRADOC’s NCO 2020 strategy. Developed to measure expertise in warrior tasks and drills, the badge defines Soldier proficiency in a quantifiable way and builds pride in the profession. The first badges were awarded to 11 Soldiers during AUSA’s 2019 Annual Meeting this October in Washington, D.C. They excelled in 30 warrior tasks including land navigation, a twelve-mile foot march and the Army Combat Fitness Test.
 
Soldier Today, a segment of AUSA’s Army Matters Podcast, focuses on what is important to Soldiers and NCOs. Recommendations for future topics are welcome via email at podcast@ausa.org.
 
Resources:
16th SMA Web: https://www.army.mil/leaders/sma/
Twitter: @16thSMA
Instagram: @16th_sma
 
Check out our other AUSA podcast, Membership Matters: http://memberpodcast.ausa.org/