Photo By 1st Lt. Robert Barney | The Idaho Army National Guard welcomed Command Sergeant Major Scott White as the new...... read more read more
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Command Sgt. Major Scott White plans to take a step back from his desk to get to know the Soldiers of the Idaho Army National Guard.
“I want to get to know the Soldiers and help them develop their careers,” said White. “They appreciate when leadership show they care and are interested about their lives. I can’t do that from behind a desk.”
White was appointed the Idaho Army National Guard command sergeant major in April. He is responsible for advising Brig. Gen. Farin Schwartz, Idaho Army National Guard Commander and Assistant Adjutant General – Army, on all enlisted matters pertaining to and effecting the organization.
White will focus on several goals including improving open and clear communication between enlisted leaders and subordinates and developing junior enlisted leaders. To do so he plans on making regular visits with units on drill weekends to sit in on their training and talk with the Soldiers.
“The junior leaders are the next wave of senior leaders,” said White. “If we don’t develop them now, than who will led us tomorrow?”
Originally from Homedale, Idaho, White joined the active Army in 1994 before enlisting in the Idaho Army National Guard. After 24 years in leadership positions including senior line medic, medical platoon sergeant and first sergeant, White feels he understand what it means to be a successful leader.
He believes junior leaders should take ownership in training their Soldiers and that senior leaders need to allow them time to do so. He hopes to determine a better way to facilitate this in the future by hearing what the Soldiers have to say.
However, White realizes Soldiers may feel less inclined to approach him as a command sergeant major. When he grew up through the military ranks, the presence of a sergeant major meant someone did something wrong.
White wants Soldiers to understand he is here to build relationships and improve the organization, not to punish.
“Just because we are in leadership positions does not mean we don’t care about our Soldiers,” said White. “In fact, I’d say we care even more. But how do you get out there and break that barrier, where Soldiers feel comfortable enough just to come up and have a conversation?”
He hopes his age might play a factor in breaking that barrier. At 42 years old, White is a young command sergeant major and feels his closeness in age to the average junior leader may give him a leg-up when communicating with them.
“I’m a relatively young sergeant major and closer in age to the general populace of Soldiers than my peers,” said White. “I hope that helps me speak their language a little better so I can reach those Soldiers and talk to them about their needs and desires for the organization.”
Soldiers will have an additional opportunity to meet with White at the next junior leader’s development conference sometime next year. The previous conference was held in September 2017, which gave Soldiers tips on leadership and an outlet to address their concerns.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2018 11:53 |
| Story ID: | 287635 |
| Location: | BOISE, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 407 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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