Presidential dance

President Barack Obama and U.S. Marine Sgt. Elidio Guillen wave to the crowd at the Commander in Chief's Ball Jan. 20, 2009 in downtown Washington, D.C. More than 5,000 men and women in uniform are providing military ceremonial support to the presidential inauguration, a tradition dating back to George Washington's 1789 inauguration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kathrine McDowell)

President to meet with senior enlisted advisors at White House

Published Jan. 30, 2009
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet Jan. 30 with the U.S. military's senior enlisted advisors at the White House, a senior Defense Department official said.

The armed services' enlisted advisors are the senior noncommissioned officers for the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The president also will greet the Coast Guard's top enlisted leader, spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

President Obama is slated to meet with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton W. Kent and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles W. Bowen.

The senior enlisted leaders serve as personal advisors to their respective civilian service secretaries and military chiefs of staff or commandants on matters concerning enlisted-force welfare, readiness, morale and utilization.

The meeting is a way for President Obama to gain insight and perspective about the enlisted force through the accumulated experience of the military's most senior enlisted leaders, Mr. Whitman said.

Just as President Obama met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon Jan. 28, Mr. Whitman said, the commander in chief also "feels that it's important to talk" to the armed service's senior enlisted advisors.

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