FORT BRAGG, N.C. In a blur of town hall meetings, tours and conferences, it seems as though the highest-ranking enlisted soldier in the Army never gets a moment alone, but he insists that taking time for family and establishing outlets is one of the healthiest things soldiers can do for themselves.

"I think it's important for soldiers to have outlets," said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey. "You have to establish a balance and take time for yourself, and for me that was physical activity and creating things."At his home in Pennsylvania, Dailey enjoys constructing furniture and other items out of wood, although his wife would argue that his motivation is based on frugality more than creativity, Dailey said.Early into his Army career, Dailey met his future wife who would ironically be waiting for him when he came home for a visit after his first duty assignment in Schweinfurt, Germany."We're actually from the same small town, but she was never my high school sweetheart," Dailey said. "She's actually my best friend's older sister."Dailey, a native of Palmerton, had planned for a day of fishing with his best friend, and as he tells it, he made the greatest catch of his life."We were dating three days later," Dailey recalls, "and we were married three months later."His dedication to his marriage created a lasting love of 21 years, including seven years apart due to military service and the sacrifices of continual deployments.Dailey continues to make family, especially his relationship with 19-year-old son, Dakota, a priority.Family tradition in the footsteps of his grandfathers, father and oldest brother is part of what landed Dailey in the Army family.At 17, before most teenagers move out of their childhood homes, Dailey had enlisted as an infantryman.Dailey said his childhood was average and he was too. He played sports, but he wasn't the star; he did well in school, but he wasn't the valedictorian.Although his only goal was to be a soldier, Dailey soon set his sights on becoming the best. A few of his accomplishments include completing his bachelor's degree with a 4.0 grade point average, earning a Ranger tab, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge, and membership into the distinguished Audie Murphy Club.The only thing missing was a pair of wings on his chest."I always wanted to be (Airborne)," he said. "I always have and I wish I could be. But the simple reason is that the Army has never sent me to an airborne organization."Dailey said he was presented with two opportunities to attend airborne school, but both times would have meant attending school instead of deploying with his unit. Each instance, he chose his soldiers and placed the mission first. Dailey credits his leadership with molding him into the dedicated and accomplished leader he has become."I think I was clearly driven that way by my leadership, and I was blessed to have the best," he said, recalling his first squad leader personally taking him to the education center to enroll in correspondence courses.But it didn't stop there. When his squad leader issued his mail the means of delivery for correspondence courses at that time he directed Dailey to have it completed and returned to him in one week, so he could check over his work before mailing it back for submission.Dailey carries the lessons from young noncommissioned officers with him to this day and takes a lot of pride in helping soldiers."This is the best Army in the world," Dailey said. "And if it's ever not the best, then I'm going to do something about it. Because nobody messes with my team and nobody messes with my soldiers."