NCO Journal October 2016 Articles
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
Best medic winners named after grueling competition
NCO Journal report
Two medics representing the U.S. Army Special Operations Command were named the Army’s best medics after a grueling 72-hour competition at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Camp Bullis, Texas.
Article published on: Oct. 31, 2016
Retention program changes affect NCOs
By Staff Sgt. Natasha Stannard
Career counselors are urging Army Soldiers to read the changes to the Army enlisted force retention program, re-class and initial entry requirements that took effect in 2016.
Article published on: Oct. 28, 2016
Toward a Leaner, More Agile Force: The Army in a Time of Fiscal Austerity
By Staff Sgt. Brian C. Darling
By developing the joint force and relying more on the efforts of allied forces, it is possible that the Army of the future will be a leaner, more agile force, led by seasoned, experienced stewards of the profession of arms.
Article published on: Oct. 27, 2016
TAFT NCOs take training out to sea in Panama
By Clifford Kyle Jones
NCO Journal
The Panama Canal is one of the most important water channels in the world — for legitimate and illicit businesses. So even though the U.S. Army is a land force, its NCOs in Panama aren’t afraid to take their training to the water.
Article published on: Sept. 27, 2016
Is physical fitness overvalued in the Army?
By Maj. Jeff Jager and Aaron Kennedy
Unfortunately, physical fitness in the Army has become more of an uncontrolled experiment where the exaggeration of specific traits (how high one can score on the APFT) results in the unintentional culling of the traits that are actually desired and important: actual physical fitness, leadership, competence, potential and intelligence.
Article published on: Oct. 26, 2016
Tactical NCOs in Panama develop security forces’ weapons, leadership skills
By Clifford Kyle Jones
NCO Journal
One of the U.S. missions in Panama involves giving local security forces tactical and weapons training in their fight against drug traffickers.
Article published on: Oct. 25, 2016
This Month in NCO History: Oct. 1, 1863 — Saving Sherman’s March to the Sea
Compiled by Pablo Villa
NCO Journal
Sgt. Joseph Keen walked undetected through Confederate marching columns, camps and pickets before reaching Union lines near Atlanta on Oct. 1, 1864. He relayed news of Confederate movements to Gen. Hugh J. Kilpatrick. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 31, 1899, for his actions.
Article published on: Oct. 24, 2016
Signal support NCO helps Panamanians stage their first major joint operation
By Clifford Kyle Jones
NCO Journal
When Panama conducted its first major joint operation among its numerous security forces, it was a U.S. Army NCO who made sure they could all communicate.
Article published on: Oct. 21, 2016
Camaraderie boosts USASMA’s newest students
By Staff Sgt. Timothy D. Hughes
NCO Journal
No one — regardless of rank or position — is accepted into the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy without passing the Army Physical Fitness Test, which on Aug. 25 brought out the best in the classmates who displayed remarkable camaraderie after being together for fewer than three weeks.
Article published on: Oct. 21, 2016
Team in Panama gives NCOs direct impact on foreign strategy, America’s safety
By Clifford Kyle Jones
NCO Journal
A team of U.S. NCOs works with Panamanian police forces to improve their medical operations, their weapons and tactical proficiency, even their naval interventions. And they do it all to help keep America safe.
Article published on: Oct. 19, 2016
New field manual can help NCOs 'Train to Win in a Complex World'
By David Vergun
Army News Service
The Army recently introduced a new version of its premier training manual to help leaders from sergeants to generals improve their unit’s readiness.
Article published on: Oct. 18, 2016
Teams prepare for Armywide best medic competition
By Meghan Portillo
NCO Journal
Two-Soldier teams across the Army are studying and training hard as they prepare to compete for the title of best medic.
Article published on: Oct. 12, 2016
Army’s first female cannoneer finishes top of class, praises NCOs for their support
By Cindy McIntyre
Fort Sill Tribune
Pfc. Katherine Beatty is the U. S. military’s first woman to become a cannon crewmember.
Article published on: Sept. 6, 2016
SMA: Army needs female NCOs to transfer to combat arms MOSs
By Meghan Portillo
NCO Journal
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey has asked female NCOs to consider transferring into combat arms military occupational specialties.
Article published on: Oct. 5, 2016
NCOs create smooth transition for women integrating into Field Artillery
By Meghan Portillo
NCO Journal
Since February, women have been proving that they have what it takes to be 13B cannon crewmembers, and their NCOs have been guaranteeing each an equal opportunity to rise to the challenge.
Article published on: Oct. 4, 2016
Winners of Best Warrior Competition announced
By Martha C. Koester
NCO Journal
Twenty Soldiers from 10 Army commands underwent a grueling series of tests in the Best Warrior Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.
Article published on: Oct. 3, 2016