WEBVTT 00:07.670 --> 00:09.726 Good day listeners and thank you for 00:09.726 --> 00:11.892 joining us for the 15th episode of our 00:11.892 --> 00:14.059 podcast . A nickel for your thoughts . 00:14.059 --> 00:15.614 I am Master Sergeant Nathan 00:15.614 --> 00:17.781 Leonardowicz from Class 76 of the SARM 00:17.781 --> 00:19.781 Major Academy . Deeds , not words . 00:20.020 --> 00:22.242 Today I have the honor of speaking with 00:22.242 --> 00:24.409 the United States Army Pacific Command 00:24.409 --> 00:26.742 Ser Major Command Sar Major Jason Smith . 00:27.209 --> 00:29.098 Command Sergeant Major Smith , we 00:29.098 --> 00:31.153 appreciate you taking your time from 00:31.153 --> 00:33.431 your busy schedule to be with us today . 00:33.431 --> 00:35.653 So sorry , Major , before we begin , do 00:35.653 --> 00:37.765 you have any opening remarks ? Well , 00:37.765 --> 00:39.820 thanks , thanks for having me . It's 00:39.820 --> 00:42.042 always good to be back in obviously Sun 00:42.042 --> 00:44.153 City and always good to spend time at 00:44.153 --> 00:46.098 the academy with , uh , the future 00:46.098 --> 00:46.060 sergeants majors that are about to 00:46.060 --> 00:48.282 enter the force . So I appreciate , you 00:48.282 --> 00:50.449 know , spending a little bit of time , 00:50.449 --> 00:52.671 you know , on this podcast with you and 00:52.671 --> 00:54.893 also , uh , what we're gonna do next is 00:54.893 --> 00:56.970 we engage with the class . Sorry , 00:57.069 --> 00:58.958 Major , to set the stage for this 00:58.958 --> 01:01.013 episode and for those who may not be 01:01.013 --> 01:02.791 familiar , could you provide an 01:02.791 --> 01:04.958 overview of US Army Pacific's role and 01:04.958 --> 01:06.791 significance in the Indo-Pacific 01:06.791 --> 01:09.269 theater ? Yeah , absolutely . So , um , 01:10.319 --> 01:12.597 United States Army Pacific is , is the , 01:12.597 --> 01:15.690 uh , theater army for IndoPaycom . We 01:15.690 --> 01:18.910 provide land power or land forces for 01:18.910 --> 01:21.529 Admiral Paparo so that , you know , in 01:21.529 --> 01:24.120 the event that we need to deter and 01:24.120 --> 01:26.231 assure our partner nations and allies 01:26.231 --> 01:28.453 and then provide credible combat forces 01:28.453 --> 01:31.720 if deterrent should fail . So how do 01:31.720 --> 01:33.680 senior non-commissioned officers 01:33.680 --> 01:36.279 effectively guide , mentor , and 01:36.279 --> 01:38.279 influence non-commissioned officers 01:38.279 --> 01:40.501 across a geographical dispersed area of 01:40.501 --> 01:43.160 responsibility like Indo-Pacific while 01:43.160 --> 01:44.993 maintaining standards and leader 01:44.993 --> 01:47.400 presence ? Yeah , that , uh , you know , 01:47.440 --> 01:49.889 that's one of the . You know , the big 01:49.889 --> 01:52.056 problems of the Pacific is the tyranny 01:52.056 --> 01:54.167 of distance . You got , you know , an 01:54.167 --> 01:56.445 international dateline , 14 time zones , 01:56.445 --> 01:58.500 and , you know , at any given time , 01:58.500 --> 02:00.556 someone's going to sleep and another 02:00.556 --> 02:02.722 one's rising , right ? So , you know , 02:02.722 --> 02:04.889 the first thing you have to do is make 02:04.889 --> 02:07.222 sure that , you know , every engagement , 02:07.222 --> 02:08.889 no matter how small , um , is 02:08.889 --> 02:11.111 meaningful , purposeful , and leaves an 02:11.111 --> 02:13.222 indelible impression , whether that's 02:13.222 --> 02:15.222 with , you know , American forces , 02:15.222 --> 02:17.445 whether that's with our partner nations 02:17.445 --> 02:20.059 and allies , um . The amount of time 02:20.059 --> 02:22.115 spent out there and what it takes to 02:22.115 --> 02:24.115 traverse , you know , needs to make 02:24.115 --> 02:26.337 sure that , you know , every engagement 02:26.337 --> 02:28.448 is , is gaining , you know , the most 02:28.448 --> 02:30.559 bang for the buck . Another , another 02:30.559 --> 02:32.615 big key thing you have to use in the 02:32.615 --> 02:34.781 Pacific , unlike most places , right ? 02:34.781 --> 02:36.892 We , we're not landlocked , um , so , 02:36.892 --> 02:39.003 obviously , you know , the ability to 02:39.003 --> 02:41.380 really purposefully employ mission 02:41.380 --> 02:43.491 command , right ? You have to trust , 02:43.491 --> 02:45.658 you cannot do it all by yourself , you 02:45.658 --> 02:49.500 know , I got , we have great , um , cop 02:49.500 --> 02:51.500 field army and , and division level 02:51.500 --> 02:53.500 sergeants majors out there . We got 02:53.500 --> 02:55.556 some fantastic separate brigades out 02:55.556 --> 02:57.500 there , so . You know , throughout 02:57.500 --> 02:59.833 those 50 different exercises we do , um , 02:59.833 --> 03:01.889 throughout the year , right , leader 03:01.889 --> 03:04.167 development is a key component of that , 03:04.167 --> 03:06.278 both , you know , the tactical aspect 03:06.278 --> 03:08.500 which is gonna happen , right , but the 03:08.500 --> 03:10.389 intellectual , uh , aspect or the 03:10.389 --> 03:12.500 interoperability that we want to help 03:12.500 --> 03:14.556 as we professionalize , uh , partner 03:14.556 --> 03:16.778 nations , uh , non-commissioned officer 03:16.778 --> 03:20.759 corps . Sorry Major , as 03:20.759 --> 03:22.759 we're seeing a significant push for 03:22.759 --> 03:24.759 modernization as part of the Army's 03:24.759 --> 03:26.960 transformation initiative , what new 03:26.960 --> 03:29.199 technologies are usurpack soldiers 03:29.199 --> 03:31.600 currently integrating and how is this 03:31.600 --> 03:34.080 transformation in contact enhancing 03:34.080 --> 03:36.929 their capabilities on the ground ? Yeah , 03:36.990 --> 03:39.509 I mean , uh , this is , you know , very 03:39.509 --> 03:41.453 exciting times to be in the army , 03:41.453 --> 03:43.949 right ? Um , as we're going through 03:43.949 --> 03:45.616 significant changes and , and 03:45.616 --> 03:48.580 modernization . Specifically for us out 03:48.580 --> 03:50.691 here , so we do have a transformation 03:50.691 --> 03:52.913 and contact division , right ? The 25th 03:52.913 --> 03:54.524 is a a tick division and are 03:54.524 --> 03:56.636 experimenting with new equipment sets 03:56.636 --> 03:58.969 and tactics , techniques and procedures . 03:59.139 --> 04:01.339 Um , ISV is a good example of that . 04:01.419 --> 04:04.339 You have the 25th , um , playing with 04:04.339 --> 04:06.339 the Quick Fire 81 millimeter mortar 04:06.339 --> 04:08.779 system . You saw if , if folks have 04:08.779 --> 04:11.119 been following our , our website , um , 04:11.619 --> 04:14.300 unmanned aerial System Experts , the 15 04:14.300 --> 04:17.158 whiskeys , and also . Um , the 17 04:17.158 --> 04:19.789 X-rays or echo , excuse me , the , uh , 04:19.799 --> 04:21.910 spectrum folks , right ? So there's a 04:21.910 --> 04:24.132 lot of great things that are going on . 04:24.132 --> 04:26.077 We got Lightning Forge out there . 04:26.077 --> 04:28.759 They're experimenting with 3D printing 04:28.759 --> 04:31.359 and , and UAV . So , um , there is a 04:31.359 --> 04:33.699 lot of great , you know , embracing of , 04:33.998 --> 04:35.998 uh , transformation that's going on 04:35.998 --> 04:38.130 across the Pacific theater . So with 04:38.130 --> 04:40.241 all this new equipment that is coming 04:40.241 --> 04:42.450 out , how do we balance transformation 04:42.450 --> 04:44.506 requirements during our home station 04:44.506 --> 04:46.672 training with the critical warfighting 04:46.672 --> 04:48.783 task that sometimes can be overlooked 04:48.783 --> 04:50.561 when fielding new equipment and 04:50.561 --> 04:52.672 restructuring our formations ? Yeah , 04:52.850 --> 04:54.970 well , first , you know , there's , 04:55.040 --> 04:57.570 there's always folks that are leaning 04:57.570 --> 05:00.220 forward and , and . Uh , embracing 05:00.220 --> 05:02.442 where , where the army's going with new 05:02.442 --> 05:04.664 technologies and changing , right ? But 05:04.664 --> 05:06.887 I'll , I'll caution folks too , right ? 05:06.887 --> 05:08.942 You know , do what you can with what 05:08.942 --> 05:10.998 you have where you're at , and , and 05:10.998 --> 05:13.220 that's important because , um , we have 05:13.220 --> 05:15.331 these organizations across the army , 05:15.331 --> 05:17.331 not just in the Pacific , but , but 05:17.331 --> 05:19.331 across our two other theater armies 05:19.331 --> 05:21.498 that are each , uh , experimenting and 05:21.498 --> 05:23.498 doing transformation for our army , 05:23.498 --> 05:25.498 right ? So I kind of tell , tell at 05:25.498 --> 05:27.553 least the folks in the Pacific , you 05:27.553 --> 05:29.553 know . Let , let the folks that are 05:29.553 --> 05:31.720 doing these experimentations proof all 05:31.720 --> 05:31.059 that stuff out , right ? When the time 05:31.059 --> 05:33.170 comes that that equipment will , will 05:33.170 --> 05:35.609 get out to you and do that . The piece 05:35.609 --> 05:37.887 with the home station training , right , 05:37.887 --> 05:40.540 you , you have to maximize every ounce 05:40.559 --> 05:42.503 of training ability that you can , 05:42.503 --> 05:44.489 especially , um , in the Pacific , 05:44.609 --> 05:46.730 right ? We have , we have a tight 05:46.730 --> 05:48.952 timeline . Everybody kind of knows when 05:48.952 --> 05:51.174 April 27th is our mark on the wall . We 05:51.174 --> 05:53.063 have to get our theater set ready 05:53.063 --> 05:55.174 forward and make sure that we're in a 05:55.174 --> 05:57.119 position to deter and then if that 05:57.119 --> 05:59.119 fails , provide the combat credible 05:59.119 --> 06:01.452 land forces , um , for the Pacific , so . 06:01.600 --> 06:04.750 Being technical experts and tactical 06:04.750 --> 06:06.861 experts , right ? Two different types 06:06.861 --> 06:08.694 of , of what we're talking about 06:08.694 --> 06:10.750 technical expertise is knowing , you 06:10.750 --> 06:12.972 know , how , how your equipment works , 06:12.972 --> 06:15.194 right ? The , the tactical piece is how 06:15.194 --> 06:17.528 to employ it on the battlefield , right ? 06:17.528 --> 06:19.750 So I think when , when non-commissioned 06:19.750 --> 06:21.917 officers are flushing out , you know , 06:21.917 --> 06:24.083 new ways of technically and tactically 06:24.083 --> 06:26.417 employing some of these new systems and , 06:26.417 --> 06:25.880 uh , different things , those things 06:25.880 --> 06:27.991 are naturally gonna permeate not just 06:27.991 --> 06:30.213 in the Pacific but across the army writ 06:30.213 --> 06:34.100 large . As we continue to transform in 06:34.100 --> 06:36.329 preparation for large scale combat 06:36.329 --> 06:38.218 operations , what are some of the 06:38.218 --> 06:40.218 greatest logistical challenges that 06:40.218 --> 06:41.996 usur PAC units have overcome to 06:41.996 --> 06:43.899 maintain readiness , particularly 06:43.899 --> 06:47.390 unique Pacific-based challenges . Yeah , 06:47.510 --> 06:49.621 well , that's , you know , that's one 06:49.621 --> 06:51.843 of our number one problems , you know , 06:51.843 --> 06:54.066 that's the , almost like the unsolvable 06:54.066 --> 06:56.010 riddle of the Pacific , right ? We 06:56.010 --> 06:58.066 aren't , we aren't landlocked , um , 06:58.190 --> 07:00.412 you know , unlike some of the , some of 07:00.412 --> 07:02.523 the user URA or Yukon areas , right , 07:02.589 --> 07:04.811 we have no NATO equivalent backstop out 07:04.811 --> 07:08.779 there , um . We have ASOS requirements 07:08.779 --> 07:10.779 or Army support to other services , 07:10.779 --> 07:12.835 right , uh , that we have to contend 07:12.835 --> 07:14.779 with , um , we're already out of 07:14.779 --> 07:17.899 position , right , obviously , um , our 07:17.899 --> 07:20.121 strategy of how we build joint interior 07:20.121 --> 07:22.500 lines for the combatant commander is a 07:22.500 --> 07:25.410 key component of that , um . So we're 07:25.410 --> 07:27.577 already at a great disadvantage or I'd 07:27.577 --> 07:29.799 say we have challenges . I wouldn't say 07:29.799 --> 07:32.021 a great disadvantage , right ? Um , but 07:32.021 --> 07:32.010 we have some , some creative ways that 07:32.010 --> 07:34.232 we are setting the theater , um , under 07:34.232 --> 07:36.454 General Clark's ready forward posture , 07:36.454 --> 07:40.429 um , using . Um , the 50 07:40.429 --> 07:42.640 different exercises as we campaign 07:42.640 --> 07:44.880 across to , to help set the theater , 07:44.980 --> 07:47.202 um , ease some of the requirements that 07:47.202 --> 07:49.424 may come with a tidbit force flow later 07:49.424 --> 07:51.399 on . Um , you're looking at army 07:51.399 --> 07:53.066 watercraft , we're looking at 07:53.066 --> 07:55.232 prepositioning of stocks , uh , sets , 07:55.232 --> 07:57.510 kits , and outfits , right ? It's , uh , 07:57.510 --> 07:59.621 it's , it's challenging , right ? But 07:59.621 --> 08:01.455 again , we , we have some of the 08:01.455 --> 08:03.677 greatest sustainers , um , out there as 08:03.677 --> 08:05.566 we look toward getting , um , the 08:05.566 --> 08:05.510 theater set for what the combatant 08:05.510 --> 08:08.850 commander needs . Having been the 08:08.850 --> 08:11.380 commandant here in Nicoko and now being 08:11.380 --> 08:13.869 the usurpC Commandar Major , for those 08:13.869 --> 08:16.091 of us here now and our teammates coming 08:16.091 --> 08:18.850 here in the future . What do you wish 08:18.850 --> 08:20.910 you had known as an entry-level SAR 08:20.910 --> 08:23.980 major ? Yeah , well , it's a . 08:24.859 --> 08:27.850 It , it's been a unique privilege , um , 08:28.149 --> 08:30.427 obviously to serve as a commandant and , 08:30.427 --> 08:33.270 and , um , as the usur PAC commandar 08:33.270 --> 08:35.048 Major , it's also a very unique 08:35.048 --> 08:36.992 privilege and holds a very special 08:36.992 --> 08:39.229 place in my heart . Um , as Usur PAC 08:39.229 --> 08:41.869 was my grandfather's last , uh , 08:41.950 --> 08:44.117 assignment in World War II when he was 08:44.117 --> 08:46.172 exiting , right ? So I have , I have 08:46.172 --> 08:48.283 some connective tissue and I actually 08:48.283 --> 08:50.283 grew up looking at his uniform as a 08:50.283 --> 08:50.150 young kid , which kind of inspired me 08:50.150 --> 08:52.372 to , to join the army , right ? So it's 08:52.372 --> 08:55.159 kind of , uh , It's surreal that , you 08:55.159 --> 08:57.760 know , 33 years later , I get to uh be 08:57.760 --> 09:00.340 the senior enlisted leader for um the 09:00.349 --> 09:04.090 theater Army of the Pacific . As a , as 09:04.090 --> 09:06.257 a new sergeant's major , right ? I , I 09:06.257 --> 09:08.368 just , I would , I tell folks to , to 09:08.368 --> 09:10.479 be where you're at , right ? I mean , 09:10.479 --> 09:12.690 again , this group of , of sergeant's 09:12.690 --> 09:14.912 major students that we're about to talk 09:14.912 --> 09:16.857 to , I mean , they're the future , 09:16.857 --> 09:19.079 right ? And you always have to be , you 09:19.079 --> 09:21.079 know , grooming and developing your 09:21.079 --> 09:23.246 replacements . Um , so it's , it'll be 09:23.246 --> 09:25.357 exciting to engage with them . When I 09:25.357 --> 09:27.579 say be where you're at , there's always 09:27.579 --> 09:29.801 somebody , you know , that is not happy 09:29.801 --> 09:31.912 or content with , I'm just a sergeant 09:31.912 --> 09:34.134 Major , I'm just a battalion , I'm just 09:34.134 --> 09:34.090 a brigade , I'm just this , that , 09:34.140 --> 09:36.700 right ? So my point is , you define 09:36.700 --> 09:38.940 success of yourself , and you're 09:38.940 --> 09:40.829 already very successful , right ? 09:40.900 --> 09:43.011 Wherever you're at and wherever , you 09:43.011 --> 09:45.122 know , your next assignment takes you 09:45.122 --> 09:47.233 leaving the academy , that's the best 09:47.233 --> 09:49.400 job you ever had . So I'd say focus on 09:49.400 --> 09:51.733 that , right ? Um , leaving the academy , 09:51.733 --> 09:53.900 obviously . You know , we , we educate 09:53.900 --> 09:56.011 our sergeants , majors commensurate , 09:56.011 --> 09:58.067 or , we educate our non-commissioned 09:58.067 --> 09:57.840 officers writ large commensurate with 09:57.840 --> 10:00.007 our officer counterparts , right , not 10:00.007 --> 10:02.229 to build more officers , right , but to 10:02.229 --> 10:04.340 be able to effectively employ mission 10:04.340 --> 10:06.760 command and advise , uh , our , our 10:06.760 --> 10:09.719 bosses the best we can . But focus on 10:09.719 --> 10:11.830 the tactical level , right ? I mean , 10:11.830 --> 10:13.941 you may , you may have , you know , a 10:13.941 --> 10:15.997 lot of words like strategic and this 10:15.997 --> 10:18.219 and that . Let the strategic folks play 10:18.219 --> 10:20.275 with strategic stuff . I would argue 10:20.275 --> 10:22.108 that it's probably one strategic 10:22.108 --> 10:24.219 sergeant Major in , in our army , and 10:24.219 --> 10:26.219 that is the sergeant's Major of the 10:26.219 --> 10:28.441 army , SMA Weimer . Um , do what you're 10:28.441 --> 10:30.552 designed to do . You know , your core 10:30.552 --> 10:32.497 duties and responsibilities do not 10:32.497 --> 10:34.719 change at echelon , right ? Each job as 10:34.719 --> 10:36.719 you gain more responsibility , they 10:36.719 --> 10:38.552 just multiply . So , I would say 10:38.552 --> 10:40.497 leaving the academy . Focus on the 10:40.497 --> 10:42.608 tactical level right ? because that's 10:42.608 --> 10:42.119 that's where you're gonna spend at 10:42.119 --> 10:45.330 least the next couple years . Command 10:45.330 --> 10:47.386 Sergeant Major Smith , thank you for 10:47.386 --> 10:49.552 your time . Do you have any concluding 10:49.552 --> 10:51.719 thoughts or remarks that you'd like to 10:51.719 --> 10:54.052 share ? Well , I'll just say , you know , 10:54.052 --> 10:56.163 um , as we kind of chatted about it , 10:56.163 --> 10:58.386 it's , it's exciting times to be in the 10:58.386 --> 11:00.552 army , right ? Lots of , lots of great 11:00.552 --> 11:02.719 changes , lots of restructuring , lots 11:02.719 --> 11:04.941 of new technology , equipment , um . Do 11:04.941 --> 11:07.108 a couple things that I'd , I'd say for 11:07.108 --> 11:09.274 some folks listening , right ? And I'm 11:09.274 --> 11:09.250 a little , I'm a little slower than the 11:09.250 --> 11:11.361 average bear . It took me a long time 11:11.361 --> 11:13.417 to kind of put , pick these up , but 11:13.417 --> 11:15.639 I'll tell you , you know , don't forget 11:15.639 --> 11:17.750 to have fun as you go along , right ? 11:17.750 --> 11:19.861 Um , cause you don't want to be in an 11:19.861 --> 11:21.583 organization where everybody's 11:21.583 --> 11:23.750 miserable around you , right ? This is 11:23.750 --> 11:23.729 serious business , right ? And you 11:23.729 --> 11:25.840 gotta have a love of soldiering and , 11:25.929 --> 11:28.151 and that's very important , right ? But 11:28.151 --> 11:30.262 don't take yourself too serious . And 11:30.262 --> 11:32.373 then I'd also say , take care of your 11:32.373 --> 11:34.596 body as you go along , right ? Um , The 11:34.596 --> 11:36.707 army is a is , is , is tough on you . 11:36.707 --> 11:38.929 So make sure that you know we got great 11:38.929 --> 11:41.096 programs out there like H2F and all of 11:41.096 --> 11:43.318 that is , is gonna be helpful for folks 11:43.318 --> 11:45.207 to , you know , continue to serve 11:45.207 --> 11:47.262 longer and maintain and stay healthy 11:47.262 --> 11:49.262 and build readiness . So have fun , 11:49.262 --> 11:51.262 take care of yourself , pull as you 11:51.262 --> 11:51.039 climb , develop your replacement . 11:52.650 --> 11:54.817 Listeners , thank you for tuning in to 11:54.817 --> 11:57.119 the episode 15 of Nickel for Your 11:57.119 --> 11:59.289 Thought podcast . Command Star Major 11:59.289 --> 12:01.289 Schmidt , thank you for taking your 12:01.289 --> 12:03.233 time to speak with us today . Stay 12:03.233 --> 12:04.590 tuned for episode 16 .