Joint Force senior enlisted leaders emphasize readiness at I/ITSEC 2025

By Cassidy Mills, Staff Writer

 

January 7, 2026

 

Senior enlisted leaders from across the joint forces met at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) to discuss readiness, training culture and partnerships that improve operational effectiveness, Dec. 2.

 

I/ITSEC is the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training (MS&T) event, held annually during the week immediately after Thanksgiving at the Orange County Convention Center. The conference brings together the global MS&T community for a full week of demonstrations, discussions and collaboration. Each year, the event draws thousands of MS&T professionals, including senior civilian and military leaders, C-suite industry executives and distinguished academic researchers from leading institutions.

 

Moderated by Chief Master Sergeant Karmann-Monique Pogue, U.S. Space Force, command senior enlisted leader for Space Training and Readiness Command, the discussion examined how enlisted leadership translates strategic intent into effective, mission-focused training across the joint forces.

 

Panelists included Sgt. Maj. Charles Houston, senior enlisted adviser for the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI); Chief Master Sergeant Chloe L. Rainey-Fluellen, senior enlisted leader for Air Education and Training Command; Sgt. Maj. David Elliott, sergeant major of Training Command, U.S. Marine Corps; Senior Master Sergeant Justin M. Creger, senior enlisted leader for Space Systems Command’s System Delta 81; and Master Chief Petty Officer Monte Ellis, senior enlisted adviser for the Aviation Warfare Training Products Branch at the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD).

 

Pogue opened the session by emphasizing the critical role enlisted leaders play in translating senior leader intent into training outcomes that prepare units for real-world operations.

 

“Readiness isn’t just about having personnel available,” Pogue said. “It’s about ensuring every service member is proficient, confident and prepared to execute their mission in a joint environment.”

 

She described senior enlisted leaders as stewards of training culture who are responsible for ensuring forces are prepared not only to perform assigned tasks, but to prevail in contested environments.

 

“Our role is to bridge strategy and execution,” Pogue said. “We make sure training isn’t just something we check off, but a foundation that enables our people to succeed when it matters most.”

 

Houston said readiness is reflected in observable changes in behavior, driven by training systems that turn operational requirements into practical, mission-ready skills capable of being applied under realistic conditions.

 

“It’s not just about completing a checklist or passing a test,” Houston said. “True readiness shows up when individuals and units respond instinctively and cohesively under pressure, applying what they’ve practiced in realistic scenarios to achieve mission success.”

 

Houston noted that realistic training environments help soldiers develop the muscle memory and decision-making skills necessary to perform mission-essential tasks effectively.

 

Rainey-Fluellen said training must develop critical thinking skills early and consistently throughout a service member’s career and stressed that exposure to complex scenarios should begin at entry-level training and continue through advanced education to ensure airmen and guardians understand the purpose behind their actions.

 

“Training isn’t just about teaching procedures,” Rainey-Fluellen said. “It’s about helping our airmen and guardians understand why they do what they do, so they can think critically and adapt effectively when the unexpected happens.”

 

“Every airman and guardian need to see the bigger picture,” Rainey-Fluellen said. “When they understand how their actions connect to the mission and to national objectives, they can make better decisions and respond effectively in dynamic, high-stakes environments.”

 

Creger discussed the challenges of defining readiness within the Space Force as a relatively new service. He said readiness for guardians means being trained to deliver effects that the joint forces understand and can integrate into broader operations.

 

“Readiness isn’t just about having the right skills,” Creger said. “It’s about ensuring every guardian knows how their capabilities fit into the joint fight and can execute seamlessly alongside other services when it matters most.”

 

Creger emphasized the importance of collaboration across Space Force commands and with joint partners to ensure training systems reflect credible threats and operational realities. He said distributed and high-fidelity simulation environments are essential to preparing space forces without revealing capabilities or expending limited resources.

 

Ellis described readiness as the product of confidence built through repetition, standards and leadership. He said leaders are responsible for enforcing expectations while leveraging partnerships with industry and academia to accelerate training capability delivery.

 

“When sailors train with rigor and consistency, they gain the confidence to act decisively under pressure,” Ellis said. “Our role as leaders is to maintain high standards while ensuring they have the tools and support from our partners to succeed in every mission.”

 

Ellis noted that modern training must expose sailors to contested environments that demand adaptability and innovation, adding that partnerships are critical to keeping pace with evolving threats.

 

“Training alone isn’t enough,” Ellis said. “We have to create environments that challenge our sailors to think critically, adapt quickly and leverage every resource, including our industry and academic partners, to stay ahead of emerging threats.”

 

The panel also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence and advanced simulation in training. Panelists agreed that AI can reduce administrative burdens and enhance data analysis but cautioned that it should complement, not replace, human judgment and foundational knowledge.

 

“AI and advanced simulations are powerful tools, but they are only as effective as the people using them,” Rainey-Fluellen said. “We must ensure technology enhances decision-making and learning without replacing the critical thinking and judgment that come from hands-on experience.”

 

Throughout the discussion, panelists underscored the importance of honest readiness assessments and standardized training expectations. They said senior enlisted leaders must identify gaps early, communicate them clearly to leadership and take ownership of improving readiness rather than masking deficiencies.

 

“Senior enlisted leaders shape the culture of accountability,” Pogue said. “Our role is to make deficiencies clear, address them swiftly and transform them into opportunities to strengthen the force.”