SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras –
Sergeant Major Valmond A. Martin recently assumed the position of Command Sergeant Major of Joint Task Force-Bravo, replacing former Command Sergeant Major Eddie Del Valle. In his new capacity, Martin serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the Joint Task Force-Bravo commander, as well as a counselor and mentor to all enlisted members of the task force.
Recently, Martin sat down with Joint Task Force-Bravo public affairs for a one-on-one question and answer session about his new role, his thoughts on leadership, and what he hopes to accomplish as Joint Task Force Bravo's Command Sergeant Major.
JTF-B PA: What were your thoughts when you were named the new Command Sergeant Major of Joint Task Force-Bravo?
Martin: I was surprised, because it was not an expectation of mine. However, I am a team player and if the chain of command feels this is the best position for me to be in to help improve the organization, I am all in. I am all about supporting the team and doing whatever I can to help out the organization.
JTF-B/PA: Now that you are in this new position, what do you believe is your primary role as Command Sergeant Major of Joint Task Force-Bravo?
Martin: My primary role is to be a wise counselor and trusted advisor to the commander in all matters pertaining to our enlisted members. The counsel and advice I provide is based on my perspective from my experience.
JTF-B/PA: Let's talk a bit about your leadership philosophy. What do you believe is a leader, and how did you form that philosophy?
Martin: A true leader leads by example and has the ability to influence others to accomplish the mission. A leader has the intestinal fortitude to do the right thing when faced with adversity, and stands up to be the example and standard bearer for other service members to emulate. This idea of what a leader is came from my own experience in observing great leaders, as well as having mentors and learning what to do and what not to do. You learn from each leader you serve with, both the good and the bad. And you build on those experiences to grow as a leader.
JFT-B/PA: This week, you shared with JTF-B leadership your "Big 10 Focus Areas." Can you talk to be about those areas and why you feel they are so important?
Martin: I selected ten specific areas because I believe they are the most essential for benefiting the organization and taking care of our service members. Safety, accountability, standards and discipline, training, leader development, mission, communication, quality of life, team building and the NCO corps. Those are all the areas the NCOs of Joint Task Force-Bravo should focus on when it comes to taking care of their service members and striving for the overall improvement of the organization.
JTF-B/PA: I notice you have a few items before "mission" on that list...why is that?
Martin: If you take care of items like safety, accountability, standards and discipline, training and leader development, the mission will not be a problem. If service members are trained and disciplined, there is absolutely nothing they can't accomplish as a team.
JTF-B/PA: What do you see as the role of the NCO at Joint Task Force-Bravo?
Martin: The role of the NCO is to train and lead service members and to be an advisor to their officer counterpart. An NCO needs to provide knowledge from an enlisted perspective as far as how to take care of service members and accomplish the mission.
JTF-B/PA: What are your expectations of the enlisted members of Joint Task Force-Bravo?
Martin: I expect the enlisted members of the Task Force to lead by example. I expect them to be the standard bearers for their subordinates. I expect them to fulfill their duties and responsibilities as leaders and work together as a team.
JTF-B/PA: What about officers...what do you expect from them?
Martin: I expect them to support their enlisted members, and to listen to their advice based on their experience.
JTF-B/PA: AS the senior enlisted leader of Joint Task Force-Bravo, you are looked upon for guidance, advice, counsel and to set an example. What are your thoughts on that responsibility?
Martin: It is an awesome responsibility to be the senior enlisted leader in an organization. My role is to be that person that all service members, not only subordinates but leaders as well, can come to and discuss anything, whether that be something pertaining to the mission or how to take care of service members. My job is to be a wise counselor and provide honest feedback. As the senior enlisted leader, I have to keep my finger on the pulse of the organization. It is a tremendous responsibility.
JTF-B/PA: What do you feel is the most important thing for Joint Task Force-Bravo members to know about the leadership here?
Martin: I want the members of Joint Task Force-Bravo to know their leaders care about them and are going to do everything within their power to take care of them.
JTF-B/PA: What do you see as your biggest challenge as Command Sergeant Major?
Martin: I think my biggest challenge is going to be working to get personnel replacements, dealing with strength management. I'm going to be dealing with our higher headquarters in working to get people down here to fill positions. That is going to be a very big challenge.
JTF-B/PA: It's a unique situation here, working in a joint environment. What are your thoughts on serving as the senior enlisted leader among so many different branches of service here?
Martin: I want all of our service members to remember we are all on the same team. We all share the same common goal: To support and defend the Constitution of the United States. We are all here to serve our country, to support our chain of command, and improve the organization. This is true regardless of what branch of service we may be in.
JTF-B/PA: What do you hope to accomplish during your time as Command Sergeant Major?
Martin: I hope to improve the climate of the organization and build cohesion among the various services that make up Joint Task Force-Bravo. I plan to do that by getting out of the office and talking to my service members, taking their feedback and putting their feedback into action. We are a team of teams here, and they need to know their voice counts. I'm interested in listening to what they have to say and taking their recommendations and acting upon them to improve this organization.
You can see Command Sergeant Major Martin's biography by clicking here