BUCKEYE GUARD, Vol 39, No 1 (Jan/Feb 2021)
This is My Squad: A Personal Pronoun
By Command Sgt. Maj. Sheldon Chambliss, Ohio Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major
“When you think of ‘my squad,’ you think of something positive you do every day to take care of each other.
Do you sit down with your squads?
Do you spend time with them? We want to build a committed organization that’s founded in a cohesive team built in trust.”
~ Sgt. Maj. of the Army
Michael Grinston on
“This is My Squad” initiative
I would like to acknowledge and thank every Soldier, Airman, civilian, family member and employer for their commitment to making our nation better during these difficult times.
Over the past year, our organization has been presented with several all too familiar tasks of deployments and redeployments, while simultaneously meeting the standards that go along with those tasks during a global pandemic and civil unrest. Please take a moment to thank a family member and employer for their service to our women and men. Additionally, I would like to thank our support partners for the thousands of meals and resources provided to our Soldiers while they are on duty to make their missions and time away from family a little easier.
In 2020, the sergeant major of the Army launched an initiative known as “This is My Squad” as an attempt to empower noncommissioned officers and reinforce the lost art of Soldier care. I am behind this initiative 100%.
This is My Squad — every noncommissioned officer should consider it as a personal pronoun. Take ownership. Be of the mindset that these are my Soldiers and my unit. The unit you have invested time and energy into. The unit you are cultivating positive esprit de corps. The unit that you are directly responsible for developing a positive culture that says, “I want to be a part of this organization.”
We must know our Soldiers and care for them by ensuring they have more than adequate food, clothing, rest, shelter and necessary weapons and equipment to perform their jobs. Providing these physical needs are critically important, and caring for members of your squad will go much further.
As we work through the challenges of limited in-person meetings and drills, I encourage all leaders to take advantage of technology available to us today to stay connected to your squad and continue to build positive relationships in line with the This is My Squad initiative. Video and teleconferencing can help you stay in touch with your Soldiers. Use this time to strengthen your relationship with not only your Soldiers, but also their support circle. Our First Line Leader (FLL) training provides a number of activities that spark conversation and references useful tools such as Holmes-Rahe stress inventory and Four Lens personality assessment.
I recognize each of you as our most critical asset and I wish only the best for you. Stay safe, and keep your Soldiers and Families safe during these difficult times.
