NCO Journal 2011 and Previously Published Articles
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
How Do You Set Their Souls on Fire?
By Master Sgt. John McLennon
When you put meaning into your Soldiers’ lives by training them in specialized skills, developing cohesion in an elite but small group and dedicating that group to the professional ethic of service, those Soldiers will form a bond and be inspired. And you will be the NCO who sets their souls on fire.
Article originally published in the Fall 1991 issue.
CSA Counts on NCOs to Keep the Spirit Alive
By Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, CSA
Those NCOs who’ve become graduates of the desert school of hard knocks, either through prior training or during the Desert Shield phase of Operation Desert Storm have an advantage they must share & by evaluating their experiences then training and informing others of the lessons learned.
Article originally published in the Spring 1996 edition.
School of Sand
By Sgt. 1st Class John K. D'Amato
Those NCOs who’ve become graduates of the desert school of hard knocks, either through prior training or during the Desert Shield phase of Operation Desert Storm have an advantage they must share & by evaluating their experiences then training and informing others of the lessons learned.
Article originally published in the inaugural Spring 1991 issue.
Our Warrior Ethos: An Essay
By 1st Sgt. Tammy Treat
Through the heat of the battle or the calm of the storm, the lessons I have learned toughened my soul and the bonds I have built will be forever. I can truly say I will never accept defeat. I will never quit, and when I look back on my career I will know that I gave it my all and I will stand proud.
Article originally published in the October 2010 issue.
Outcome-Based Training & Education
By Staff Sgt. Mary E. Ferguson
AWG officials predict, and Army leaders hope, that NCOs and other trainers will target the intangibles in their Soldiers by continuing to discover ways to implement OBT&E across the training spectrum.
Article originally published in the Fall 2008 edition.
Corporals: Where NCO Leadership Begins
By Staff Sgt. David Abrams
The modern corporal inhabits a kind of “no man’s land” in the noncommissioned officer chain: no longer a private, but not quite a sergeant. While the hard stripes are still hardening, so are these new NCOs.
Article originally published in the July 2004 edition.
First Sergeant Major of the Army Reflects on 60 Years of Change
By Master Sgt. Lisa Hunter
Discipline makes a great difference when you’ve got nothing between you and an enemy but your rifle; it takes discipline to manage that.
Article originally published in the July 2004 edition.
Dealing with Failure
By Master Sgt. James H. Clifford
Assessing failure is a complex issue. You can take the easy way out by creating a zero defect environment, or you can develop your subordinates. The first approach creates Soldiers who lack initiative and motivation. The second imbues Soldiers with motivation to persevere and succeed against the odds.
Article originally published in the Spring 1997 issue.
"Top" Olivari says...Stay In Your Lane
By Command Sgt. Maj. J. D. Pendry
If we allow taking care of Soldiers to drop out of our lane, think what lesson we’re teaching tomorrow’s sergeants. Tomorrow’s sergeant are who we will charge to look after our sons and daughters.
Article originally published in the Spring 1995 issue.
Developing Great Leadership
By Sgt. Nicholas E. Teague
It rests in our hands to carry onward the finest of our military traditions and be an example of a great leader to the Soldiers of the past, the present and the future.
Article originally published in the October 2009 edition.
The Board: How to Survive the “Hot Seat”
By Staff Sgt. Denver G. Smith
It rests in our hands to carry onward the finest of our military traditions and be an example of a great leader to the Soldiers of the past, the present and the future.
Article published in the Summer 1992 issue.
School of Hard Knocks
By Sgt. 1st Class William W. Applegarth
By combining the Army’s formal NCOES and “education through experience” today’s NCO Corps virtually guarantees that future noncommissioned officers will be prepared to face the challenges of the future, regardless of the nature of those challenges.
Article originally published in the Summer 2001 edition.
Taking Care of Soldiers
By Lt. Col. Greg Kaufmann
Many Soldiers live today due to the efforts of their fellow Soldiers. But when all is said and done, the training and discipline we demand of ourselves and our Soldiers determines our readiness and ability to care for ourselves.
Article originally published in the Summer 1994 edition.