{"id":5877,"date":"2023-04-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=5877"},"modified":"2023-04-19T06:47:28","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T06:47:28","slug":"usag-ka-command-sergeant-major-enlisted-to-see-the-world-and-make-a-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=5877","title":{"rendered":"USAG-KA Command Sergeant Major Enlisted To See The World And Make A Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Miller slices a celebratory cake with a saber during the November 2022 reception for his Assumption of Responsibility ceremony at the Island Memorial Chapel.
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\n In this courtesy photo, U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Miller, center, and his son, Ethen, center left, visit with Marshallese citizens during a tour of the atoll. Miller joined the USAG-KA command team in November 2022.
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\n U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Miller, right, accepts the garrison colors from Col. Tom Pugsley, USAG-KA commander, during the November 2022 Assumption of Responsibility ceremony.
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\n U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Miller greets guests during a reception following his 2022 Assumption of Responsibility ceremony at the Island Memorial Chapel.
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More than anything, as a youth growing up in Rupert, Idaho, U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Miller wanted to travel.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost my time in high school was spent between school and working,\u201d Miller said in a recent interview. \u201cI had never really been anywhere. I joined the Army because I was told I could travel the world. Travel the world is what I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller enlisted into Army service under the motto \u201cBe All That You Can Be.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thanks the Army for helping him to realize his goal.<\/p>\n

Over the 30 years in his active-duty service career, Miller has worked in 46 of the United States, including Alaska, and has completed tours of duty in Bermuda, South Korea, Germany, Holland, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. He most recently served as the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Command Sergeant Major, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.<\/p>\n

Miller’s numerous distinctions earned\u2014among them, the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Army Superior Unit Award\u2014are the milestones of a career spent serving and working with others to bring out their best.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, professionally, nothing can compare to the joy and commitment of serving your nation. \u2018Be All You Can Be\u2019 has taught me patience, commitment, and discipline. I learned many valuable and unique talents. I learned to be a leader and acquired the emotional intelligence it takes to be better every day. It increased my personal confidence, strength and resiliency. I think overall, it has made me a better me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller and his family arrived on Kwajalein in late 2022. Soon after, he assumed responsibility from outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Ismael Ortega. While stationed on Kwajalein Miller plans to explore the Pacific with his wife, Cat, and their son, Ethen. They have enjoyed getting to know the beautiful island community while they learn about their home together.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you to everyone who has made Kwaj a home for [my family] and myself. We continue to look forward to serving with each of you and hope to continue always looking forward to what we can do to make Kwaj amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

To meet some of their new neighbors, the family recently has visited communities throughout the atoll. Miller said he was struck by the kindness and character of the Marshallese people.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the Marshallese culture,\u201d Miller said. \u201cIt\u2019s such an amazing community, whose values on family, consideration, and concern for others is unmatched. I have had the chance to attend a few events, and I am always blown away with their appreciation of arts, dance and food. I am very thankful and blessed to be given the opportunity to serve on their beautiful islands.\u201d<\/p>\n

The aspiring traveler from Idaho has come a long way. He appreciates that he continues his journey as a Soldier.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Army has provided me all these opportunities, and I wouldn\u2019t have changed anything,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n

He shared some practical tips for future Army recruits looking to the future and those hoping to make a difference.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can continue your service and learn valuable skills you can apply to your next job,\u201d Miller said. \u201cI have had the opportunity to travel and have earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Security for less than one month\u2019s rent. I have made friends and been part of so many communities and cultures. The military is goal oriented. Its members come from all over the world and earn respect and prestige. Join, have fun, develop skills, and Be All You Can Be.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Building Leadership<\/p>\n

The secret to being a good leader is that there is no secret, said Miller.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must develop your own style,\u201d Miller said. \u201cIf I were to define the type of leader I want to be and want to try to follow, try to follow, it would be as follows:<\/p>\n

1. Be Yourself. Be humble, be approachable and be empathetic. You must be willing receive feedback just as much as your willing to give it, and maybe most importantly, listen more than you talk.<\/p>\n

2. Be the Example. We live in a glass houses. As leaders, the way we act and treat others is our instruction to them on how they should treat others. So, be that example.<\/p>\n

3. It\u2019s not the time to try and become a leader\u2014you are a leader. So, develop new skills, confront deficiencies, and most of all, make a difference. A leader has the chance and potential to have the biggest impact on someone\u2019s life. This responsibility should not be taken lightly, so again, be that example.<\/p>\n

4. Influence and Inspire. Never underestimate the amount of influence a leader has. Every action you take, whether your aware of it or not, is closely scrutinized by everyone around you. So, be the example, and don\u2019t compromise your standards.<\/p>\n

5. Lastly, keep your promises, be authentic, be relevant, and be the leader you would follow.<\/p>\n

Miller added: \u201cOne of my favorite quotes of all time is from John C. Maxwell: \u2018The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects the wind to change; the leader adjusts the sails.\u2019 Leadership can be as simple as adjusting the sails.\u201d<\/p>\n

An example of one such adjustment in action occurred recently on USAG-KA: an April 14 gathering of subject matter experts who shared program information with island residents during a community information exchange.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of our biggest challenges on Kwajalein is communication,\u201d Miller said. \u201cThe garrison is implementing a Community Information Exchange. The purpose is to have many different groups, such as AAFES, medical and emergency services; the Emergency Operations Center; and Morale, Welfare and Recreation to put out information that is pertinent to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Building Community<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a small Island, and an even smaller community,\u201d Miller said. \u201cIn my short few months, I have seen and heard many different things as it relates to the installation as \u2018good\u2019 or \u2018bad.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Miller would like to ask the growing community on Kwajalein to help him accomplish a few valuable tasks.<\/p>\n

1. Treat everyone with dignity and respect. It does not matter who you are: There is not one person that is more important than the other on this island. It\u2019s our community and will only be as inviting as you make it.<\/p>\n

2. Communicate\u2014and over-communicate. If you see something, say something, help to fix it and get involved. Most of the time, miscommunication is the result of a misunderstanding or someone thinking they understand more than they do.<\/p>\n

3. Do the right thing: Always! If it\u2019s a rule and you don\u2019t agree with it, follow it anyways. Rules are invented for many reasons, mostly safety-related\u2014to create a stable environment to facilitate human co-existence in the community. You may not agree with the rules; however, it\u2019s not about you\u2014it\u2019s about all of us. With that said, if there is something you don\u2019t agree with, bring it up.<\/p>\n

4. Social media can be an amazing part of a community. It can provide predictability, sharing and positive communication. It can also be a platform to seek win social validation, to criticize, to misinform or voice unrealistic expectations. Misuse of social media has real consequences: depression, anxiety, bullying and addiction.<\/p>\n

“I have learned 99 percent of our community uses social media in a positive way,” Miller said. “What I ask is that you be careful of the remaining percent.<\/p>\n

I encourage everyone to utilize their chain of command to address questions. Don\u2019t \u201clet it linger,\u201d or wait for months without receiving an answer. Talk to your leadership, your human resources staff and follow up. Call the Commander\u2019s Hotline at 480-1098 or use the private messenger on the USAG-KA Facebook page. Lastly, if your question is not getting answered, you are welcome to come see me or email ernest.e.miller24.mil@army.mil.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

1 \/ 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption \u2013 U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Miller slices a celebratory cake with a saber during the November 2022 reception for his Assumption of Responsibility ceremony at the Island Memorial Chapel. (Photo Credit: Jessica Dambruch) VIEW ORIGINAL 2 \/ 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5879,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5877"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5877\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5884,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5877\/revisions\/5884"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5879"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}