Photo By Staff Sgt. Andre Taylor | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees, commanding general of the 25th Infantry...... read more read more
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii— U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James B. Bartholomees III, commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division and U.S. Army Hawaii, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael G. Eilers, the division command sergeant major, hosted the 25th Infantry Division's State of the Division at Sgt. Smith Theater, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, July 22, 2026, recognizing Soldiers for exceptional achievements while highlighting the division's recent accomplishments and reinforcing its commitment to building disciplined, combat-ready formations.
The State of the Division gave commanders and senior leaders an opportunity to review the division's progress following months of training and regional operations while discussing priorities for the months ahead. Throughout the forum, Bartholomees and Eilers emphasized that the division's success depends on disciplined leaders who develop confident Soldiers through realistic training and high standards.
Bartholomees explained that the State of the Division serves as an opportunity to connect directly with leaders across the formation, providing a shared understanding of where the division stands today while reinforcing the direction it is headed. He said recognizing Soldiers for exceptional achievement remains an important part of that effort because individual excellence strengthens the entire formation.
"We needed to connect with you all and provide an update on where we sit as a division and where we're going forward, "Bartholomees said." We also wanted to begin by recognizing some excellence."
During the ceremony, Soldiers from across the division were recognized for earning distinctions in some of the Army's most demanding schools and competitions. Those honored included graduates of U.S. Army Ranger School and the Sapper Leader Course, members of the division's Best Mortar Team and Best Red Leg Team, and Staff Sgt. Timothy Myers, winner of the U.S. Army Best Interrogator Competition.
The recognition highlighted the diverse expertise found throughout the division while demonstrating the value of investing in challenging professional development opportunities. Whether mastering technical skills, excelling under demanding conditions or completing elite military schools, each Soldier represented the professionalism and commitment expected of the division's formations.
Bartholomees said those accomplishments represent more than individual milestones. They demonstrate the disciplined preparation and collective effort required to build organizations capable of accomplishing the Army's mission.
"Great Soldiers, great organizations doing great work, "Bartholomees said." All of it needs to be for a purpose. All of it needs to continue to prepare us to fight and win our nation's wars."
Throughout the forum, Bartholomees encouraged leaders to continue creating realistic training that develops confident, adaptable Soldiers capable of mastering their mission-essential tasks. He stressed that readiness is built long before Soldiers are called upon to execute a mission and depends on leaders who consistently challenge their formations to improve.
Eilers expanded on that message by focusing on the role leaders play in building disciplined teams. He encouraged commanders and noncommissioned officers to develop confident Soldiers by emphasizing physical fitness, weapons proficiency, fieldcraft, mobility and small-unit training as the foundation of combat effectiveness.
Rather than viewing discipline solely as enforcing standards, Eilers described it as the process through which Soldiers gain confidence in themselves, their teammates and their leaders.
"Discipline will not create a brave Soldier, "Eilers said." What it does create is a confident Soldier who's confident in themselves and confident in their team."
He challenged leaders to ensure training reflects the conditions Soldiers may face in future operations, emphasizing that competence comes through repetition and realistic practice rather than a single successful event.
"You have to train until you cannot fail on these small-unit drills, "Eilers said.
Following the recognition ceremony and command update, Bartholomees and Eilers held an open question-and-answer session, allowing leaders from across the division to discuss readiness initiatives, professional development, modernization efforts and quality-of-life topics affecting Soldiers and their formations. The discussion reinforced the command team's commitment to maintaining open dialogue while ensuring leaders understand the division's priorities and intent.
Closing the event, Eilers reminded leaders that the division's greatest advantage is its people and challenged them to remain engaged in developing the next generation of Soldiers and leaders.
"Continue to inspire our Soldiers because they deserve the best possible leadership, "Eilers said." You're the leaders to do it. Now is the time to do it."
The State of the Division concluded with a renewed emphasis on recognizing excellence, investing in leader development and maintaining the disciplined, combat-ready formations that define the 25th Infantry Division.
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.23.2026 15:09 |
| Story ID: | 570557 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 136 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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