The United States Army
09/03/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/03/2024 19:19
National Guard Leaders Tout Professional Development
[Link] Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau, and other Guard leaders attended the 53rd annual conference of the Enlisted Association National Guard of the United States in Detroit, Michigan, Aug. 19-22, 2024. The agenda included speed mentoring sessions, service-specific discussions, and panels led by senior enlisted leaders. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Pena) (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Pena)VIEW ORIGINAL
DETROIT - National Guard leaders helped facilitate professional development for Soldiers and Airmen during the 53rd Annual Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States Conference and Expo.
"How often do we get a chance to have 2,000 service members, in one location, to hear from senior leaders across the Guard and active components?" said Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines, command sergeant major, Army National Guard. "A bonus to that is that the youngest of our Soldiers and Airmen get the opportunity to hear these updates that we didn't hear until later in our careers."
The theme was "The Year of Future Leaders."
"Our objective, here, is to offer our junior and mid-grade Guard members professional development opportunities so that they can become a better-trained workforce," said Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, the top enlisted leader for the Guard and SEA to the chief of the National Guard Bureau. "We strive to provide them with the knowledge, skills and vision necessary to ensure that their leaders recognize the right person for the upcoming mission."
The annual conference brings together past and present leaders of the Guard to share their expertise with thousands of enlisted members serving across the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
It also provides a platform for National Guard leaders to talk with the enlisted force and emphasize the significance of their service.
"Every day that we get up and have the opportunity to serve, it means something," said Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, the adjutant general for the Nevada National Guard. "Some citizens have a better quality of life because of the less than 1% that serve in uniform. It should mean something when you wear this uniform proudly and look in the mirror and say, 'If it's going to be, it's up to me.' We can't get this done without our enlisted force."
The SEA has served in his position for nearly four years and in the military for almost 41. His address to almost 1,500 attendees, ranging from E-1 to E-9, was one of his last before his retirement.
Reflecting on his initial time as the SEA, Whitehead illuminated a topic close to his heart.
"When I first came into this position, I started getting notices daily of our Guardsmen dying. Some due to sickness, disease, or sudden accidents," he said. "But some of them were suicide. After several months, I had to step back because they were coming in so frequently."
Whitehead's reflections highlighted the challenge future leaders will face: prioritizing the well-being of Guard members while balancing mission demands.
"As leaders, we want to fix the problems to return to the mission, but sometimes the mission becomes working on those challenges within our formations," he said.
Whitehead said seasoned leaders need to be transparent and share their journeys of adversity with their troops.
"We [E-9s] didn't get to where we are by being 100% squared away at all times. Talk to your Soldiers and Airmen and show them we have lived through some hard times related to relationships, finances, work challenges and more. We got to the other side, and so can they."
Whitehead also provided an operational update on the Guard and thanked military members currently serving for their dedication.
"Right now, we have nearly 40,000 Soldiers and Airmen on an active status across the globe. We are not a strategic reserve anymore; we are operational. We are a part of the larger joint fight, and that's important for the enlisted force - especially in the National Guard," said Whitehead.
Leaders at the event emphasized the importance of conferences for personal development. They encouraged conference attendees to share their stories and experiences when they return home to inspire others to join professional associations that can bring about positive change in the military.
EANGUS was officially organized in 1972 to amplify the representation of enlisted personnel in the National Guard. For five decades, its members have advocated for legislative changes. These include expanding the definition of veteran to National Guard members, enabling Guardsmen to use VA entitlements, advocating for TRICARE Reserve Select for National Guardsmen and providing National Guard members and their families access to base commissary and exchanges.