Posted on 07/19/2005 4:20:25 PM PDT by SandRat
TOKYO, Japan (Army News Service, July 19, 2005) – Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force leaders met with Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston in Tokyo July 15 to talk about the relationship between both armies.
The growing JGSDF is making improvements in its ranks. The Japanese Army is creating a senior sergeant major-rank system, positions for noncommissioned officer instructors and a sergeant major of the JGSDF.
“I have some things I’m proud of and one of them is my NCOs,” said Gen. Tsutomi Mori, JGSDF chief of staff. “To make things better, we’re making some changes. Biggest step is making a new senior sergeant major system similar to that of the U.S. Army.”
Preston said because the American Army has more than 260,000 Soldiers in more than 120 countries, communication is important in strengthening the NCO corps. In addition to routinely visiting Soldiers around the world, he invites the senior enlisted leaders to conferences to make sure everyone is on the same page about ongoing Army issues and to address any concerns.
“We haven’t had an NCO system like the U.S. Army,” said Maj. Gen. Tosihiko Sunami, director of personnel, JGSDF. “We are learning a lot of how to operate our NCO Corps.”
Preston told them since he’s been in the Army, the Army NCO system has evolved greatly.
“It takes time to evolve and give that sort of responsibility to senior NCOs,” he said. “I see with Soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan they gain in one year five years worth of leadership and experience and they’re the leaders of tomorrow.”
To give an example of America’s evolving NCO system, Preston told them the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is in the process of selecting an NCO to serve as its first senior enlisted advisor.
The JGSDF leaders also wanted to continue their exchange opportunities in the United States. The army currently participates in annual exercise in Hawaii and Fort Lewis. In addition, the Japanese soldiers attend various military schools in the U.S. and are hoping to extend their bilateral training with the Republic of Korea army also.
“I hope we have better understanding of each other and continue to build stronger ties,” said Sgt. Maj. Yukihiro Machiya, chairman of the So-You Kai Noncommissioned Officer Association, JGSDF.
SMA NCO ping
SMA NCO ping
Wow! That's news. From which service? Will the position rotate thru the services like the C-JCS?
Don't know which service will get the first tap but they will be the Sr Non-Com at the JCS level.
BTTT
Another master stroke for US - Japanese force interoperability.
BTT!!!
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