In one of his first messages to the force, Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer called on NCOs to set the example for their soldiers.

“We serve in the greatest Army in the world,” Weimer writes. “Our Army earned this reputation on the shoulders of generations of professional noncommissioned officers. Our NCO corps is unique and envied around the world. Sustaining this reputation requires dedication and commitment. I join every NCO in our Army in living up to the expectations associated with modeling what right looks like every day. I will not forget, nor will I allow my fellow NCOs to forget, that we are professional warfighters.”

Weimer, a veteran special operations soldier, became the 17th sergeant major of the Army on Aug. 4. He succeeds Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, who retired after four years on the job.

In his message to the force, posted on social media, Weimer called on his fellow NCOs to lead, develop and care for their soldiers. He also said it’s important for leaders to understand their roles and responsibilities and make sure soldiers know what to expect from them.

As an NCO, Weimer said, he has two basic responsibilities—accomplishing the mission and taking care of soldiers.

When it comes to taking care of soldiers, NCOs must have personal discipline, Weimer writes. This includes “knowing the standards, adhering to the standards, and being honest with ourselves when we fall short,” he writes.

Taking care of soldiers also means making sure they’re ready to fight, survive and win, Weimer writes. “In every case, brilliance at the basics sets the foundation to tackle complex problems,” he writes. “Effective training meets published standards, pushes capabilities, challenges decision-making skills, builds teams and inspires confidence. Invest in your own personal development and invest in developing your subordinates.”

NCOs also have a key leadership role, Weimer writes. “Our Army functions best when leading through command teams. NCOs are essential to any successful command team,” he writes. “Absent an NCO, it’s not a command team. Leading through command teams allows NCOs at every echelon to be critical thinking problem solvers who inspire trust.”

As the Army looks to the future and the possibility of fighting and winning on “any distant battlefield,” NCOs remain the “steadfast cornerstone” and “the heart and soul of our formations,” Weimer writes.

“Technology is a valuable enhancer to our profession, but it is and always will be our NCOs who lead, train and inspire young Americans to embrace a warrior mindset shaped by the Army Values and the professional of arms … ensuring tomorrow’s victory,” Weimer writes.

His message is available here.