Sergeant Major of the Army
Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey
APPOINTED
Became the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jan. 30, 2015
MOST RECENT ASSIGNMENT
Command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
EDUCATION
Excelsior College
Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Daniel A. Dailey was sworn in as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army on January 30, 2015. SMA Dailey has held every enlisted leadership position in the mechanized infantry, ranging from Bradley Fighting Vehicle Commander to Command Sergeant Major.
As Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA Dailey is the Army Chief of Staff's personal adviser on matters affecting the enlisted force. He devotes the majority of his time traveling throughout the Army to observe training and talk with Soldiers and their Families. He sits on a variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their Families and is routinely invited to testify before Congress. SMA Dailey is the public face of the U.S. Army's Noncommissioned Officer Corps, representing the Corps to the American people in the media and through business and community engagements.
A native of Palmerton, Pennsylvania, SMA Dailey enlisted in the Army in 1989 and attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an 11B (Infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia. During his career, SMA Dailey has served with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions stateside and overseas. In March 2009, he was selected as the 4th Infantry Division Command Sergeant Major, where he served as both the Command Sergeant Major of Fort Carson, Colorado and U.S. Division‐North, Iraq. In 2011, SMA Dailey was selected to serve as the Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
In addition to four tours in support of Operations IRAQ FREEDOM and NEW DAWN, SMA Dailey deployed in support of Operations DESERT STORM and DESERT SHIELD. He earned the Bronze Star with Valor for his leadership during the 4th Infantry Division’s two-month “Battle for Sadr City” in 2008.
SMA Dailey’s military and civilian education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, the Bradley Master Gunner Course, the Force Management Course and the Keystone Course. He is a graduate of class 54 of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and the Command Sergeants Major Course. SMA Dailey holds a Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum Laude) from Excelsior College.
SMA Dailey’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd Award), Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star Medal (4th award), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (7th award), Army Achievement Medal (10th award), Good Conduct Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), South West Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (one silver and two bronze service stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (6th award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (6th award), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Drivers Badge (wheel). He is a member of The Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion) and the Distinguished Audie Murphy Club.
SMA Dailey and his wife Holly have one son, Dakota.
Arguably, the highest performing squads in our formation are those that are built upon trust: trust in their leaders, and trust in one another. This is the essential element of 'Not In My Squad'.
Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey
