The senior enlisted soldier for Training and Doctrine Command has been selected to be the next Sergeant Major of the Army.

Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey will become the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army on Jan. 30, senior Army leaders announced Monday.

Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler, who was sworn into the job in March 2011, will retire after almost 33 years in uniform.

"I'm passionate about the Army, and I'm passionate about taking care of soldiers," Dailey said in a statement. "This is truly a humbling opportunity."

Chandler congratulated Dailey in an announcement on his Facebook page.

"I'm confident he will provide good counsel to the Secretary and Chief as he has a track record of being a steadfast advocate for soldiers and families," Chandler wrote. "Throughout my tenure, I have counted on his support and advice, especially in the areas of leader development and the Army profession."

In announcing the selection, Army Secretary John McHugh said he has "the utmost confidence" in Dailey.

"His experience, leadership, devotion to soldiers and commitment to our Army make him especially suited to assume this important duty, one that Sergeant Major of the Army Chandler has masterfully performed for the last four years," McHugh said in a statement.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno called Dailey a visionary leader.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Dailey epitomizes the competence, character and commitment we require of our soldiers and leaders," he said in a statement. "I have every confidence in his ability as a visionary leader to help guide our Army through this time of great complexity and rapid change."

As Sergeant Major of the Army, Dailey will serve as the Army chief of staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. The exact duties will vary depending on the chief of staff, but much of the senior enlisted soldier's time is spent traveling across the Army to observe training and talk to soldiers and their families, according to information from the Army.

The sergeant major of the Army also recommends quality of life improvements to Army leadership and sits on councils that make decisions affecting enlisted soldiers and their families.

Dailey, an infantryman, enlisted in the Army in 1989.

He has served in Germany and Korea, and at Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Stewart, Georgia; and Fort Carson, Colorado.

He is a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and deployed four times to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

Dailey's previous assignments include 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, where he served as a radio telephone operator and rifleman and participated in Desert Shield/Desert Storm; 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, where he was a Bradley commander and a battalion master gunner; and 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, during a 12-month tour in Korea.

Dailey also served as a Primary Leadership Development Course senior instructor, and as a platoon sergeant in 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, and then in 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment.

Dailey deployed three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom – first in 2003 as a first sergeant with 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment. After attending the Sergeants Major Academy, Dailey returned to 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry and served as the battalion's top enlisted soldier. He deployed to Iraq in 2005.

In 2007, while serving as the senior enlisted soldier for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Dailey deployed to Iraq again.

He later became the senior enlisted soldier for the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson. He returned to Iraq again, this time for Operation New Dawn.

Dailey, who holds a bachelor's degree from Excelsior University, was selected to serve as the command sergeant major of TRADOC in August 2011.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with V device, the Bronze Star Medal (third award), the Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Army Commendation Medal (seventh award), the Southwest Asia Service Medal (one bronze service star), Iraq Campaign Medal (five bronze service stars), Kuwait Liberation Medal (for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman's Badge, and Combat Infantryman's Badge.

About Michelle Tan

Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.

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