NCO Journal December 2016 Articles
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
Army overhauls resilience program to focus on all Soldiers
Sean Kimmons, Army News Service
December 30, 2016
During deployments, Soldiers often develop tight bonds while living together and working as a team to execute their missions. Army officials now want to bring that strong sense of camaraderie back to the garrison...
More women than expected take on combat arms roles
Sean Kimmons, Army News Service
December 29, 2016
Full gender integration in the Army is exceeding expectations, with more than 300 women successfully recruited or transferred into the service’s most physically demanding career fields in 2016...
Soldiers thrive in WRAIR’s busy laboratories
Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal
December 28, 2016
Established in 1893 as the Army Medical School, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research has a long and respected history of serving America’s military. With more than 120 years of advances in military and public health, the goal at WRAIR...
NCO takes his place at forefront of Army’s Zika vaccine research
Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal
December 28, 2016
When Sgt. Christopher A. Springer received orders to report to the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland, all he knew of his impending assignment...
HRC leaders reach out to Fort Bliss NCOs at town hall
Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal
December 27, 2016
Is it true that assignment officers at U.S. Army Human Resources Command save the great jobs for their friends? Or, that assignment officers sit on the promotion boards? HRC’s Command Sgt. Maj. Wardell Jefferson has heard...
Army’s top recruiter draws inspiration from troubled past
Don Wagner, Army News Service
December 23, 2016
For Staff Sgt. Ernie Nieves, the Army’s top recruiter for fiscal year 2016, being a recruiter is the perfect opportunity to give back to the community. “I treat every applicant like they are family...
This Month in NCO History: Dec. 19, 1899 — A significant month for two brothers
Pablo Villa, NCO Journal
December 22, 2016
The month of December held a certain significance for the Gaujot brothers. That meaning didn’t come from holiday fervor in their native Eagle Harbor, Michigan, or because the younger Gaujot’s birthday was Dec. 12...
Oregon Army National Guard NCOs Stay Busy Stateside
Jonathan (Jay) Koester
December 20, 2016
The beautiful sights of Oregon’s mountains and waterfalls can end up being dangerous to those unprepared. That danger is what keeps Soldiers from the Oregon Army National Guard busy.
Unexpected Complications Turn Hoist Mission Dangerous
Jonathan (Jay) Koester
December 20, 2016
Many of the missions the Oregon Army National Guard gets called for start with people, often tourists, trying to enjoy nature, but getting into situations they can’t get themselves out of, said Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sjullie.
Missions Sometimes Require Learning on the Fly
Jonathan (Jay) Koester
December 20, 2016
Sgt. Steven Armstrong has been a Black Hawk crew chief with the Oregon Army National Guard for nearly six years. The missions he has been a part of inspired him to go back to school to become a paramedic. He recently graduated and will soon start joining missions as a flight medic.
Keeping the Standards on APFT
Michael C. Sevcik, Special to the NCO Journal
December 19, 2016
I read with keen interest the NCO Journal article by Maj. Jeff Jager and Aaron Kennedy, published Oct. 26. Several important “sweeping generalizations” from Soldiers and the article, “Is Physical Fitness Overvalued in the Army?” came to light.
WCAP NCO Named To Impact25 List of Women Who Have Made a Difference
Pablo Villa, NCO Journal
December 15, 2016
The combat medic and U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program swimmer spent the summer garnering international headlines for a grand gesture while winning four gold medals in swimming at the Invictus Games. That led to an appearance at the ESPYs, the awards show that recognizes sports’ highest achievements, to receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Students at Fort Sill NCO Academy Test Their Skills During Live Fire Exercise
Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal
December 8, 2016
Field artillery Soldiers attending the Advanced Leader Course at the NCO Academy at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, don’t just worry about tests at the end of the course. They feel the boom of a cannon and smell its smoke as they demonstrate their expertise and leadership skills during a live fire exercise.
NCO Overcomes Fear, Lands ‘Dream Gig’ at NFL
By Master Sgt. Gary Qualls Jr.
December 7, 2016
Most Soldiers don’t imagine they will be in a dream job, working in a big-time environment, planning and setting up exciting events, bumping into famous personalities, enjoying every minute of the journey along the way.
Soldiers, Researchers Delve Into Prototype Uniforms During German Exercise
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Medium.
Army News Service.
December 6, 2016
The Army has developed a fabric composed of 50 percent wool, 42 percent Nomex, 5 percent Kevlar and 3 percent P140 antistatic fiber. One goal of textile R&D underway is to create a flame-resistant combat uniform made wholly from domestic materials, said Carole Winterhalter, a textile technologist with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.