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NCO Journal September 2016 Articles

The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development

Centralized Selection List will include all sergeants major, command sergeants major

By David Ruderman
U.S. Army Human Resources Command

In April, a single division began managing the careers of 5,000 sergeants major and command sergeants major across the Army. The new Sergeant Major Management Division’s latest milestone came with the publication of a Military Personnel Message outlining criteria and procedures for the Centralized Selection List board for key active component and Active Guard and Reserve brigade and battalion CSM and SGM billet positions.

Article published on: Sept. 27, 2016


Bar to Continued Service Program will soon affect all ranks, not just re-enlistments

By Robert Timmons
Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Public Affairs

Changes to Army programs that are meant to retain quality noncommissioned officers will take effect when the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.

Article published on: Sept. 22, 2016


204th Military Intelligence Battalion welcomes new NCOs

By Meghan Portillo
NCO Journal

Surrounded by exhibits depicting the greatness of the NCO Corps through the ages, nine new leaders were welcomed into the 204th Military Intelligence Battalion in an NCO induction ceremony Sept. 8 at the NCO Heritage and Education Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Article published on: Sept. 20, 2016


WCAP NCO forced to skip last race, but still closes strong at Rio Paralympics

By Pablo Villa
NCO Journal

Sgt. Elizabeth Marks, Paralympic swimmer from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program of Fort Carson, Colorado, did not participate in the SM8 200-meter individual medley competition, which was scheduled for that day in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, due to an undisclosed medical issue.

Article published on: Sept. 19, 2016


NCO posts highest finish for American man in rifle prone at Rio Paralympics

By Pablo Villa
NCO Journal

Staff Sgt. John Joss may not have reached the medal stand Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the 2016 Paralympic Games, but the four-year member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit certainly proved his name belongs alongside the shooting world's elite. Joss started the day next to 40 of the world's best shooters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, competing in the mixed R6-50-meter rifle prone competition.

Article published on: Sept. 15, 2016


Marksmanship Unit NCO displays determination in path to Rio Paralympics

By Pablo Villa
NCO Journal

Staff Sgt. John Joss is the current American record holder in the mixed R6 50-meter rifle prone. He will compete in the event today, Sept. 14, at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Article published on: Sept. 14, 2016


'Share the knowledge,' SMA Dailey urges fellowship program grads

By Martha C. Koester
NCO Journal

Eager to share what they have learned with the next generation of senior noncommissioned officers, 19 sergeants major graduated in August from the pioneering U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Fellowship Program at Fort Bliss, Texas. The graduates, all newly armed with master’s degrees in adult education from Pennsylvania State University, will perform two- to three years as senior NCO instructors in the Sergeants Major Course.

Article published on: Sept. 14, 2016


Oregon National Guard looks to include Air Guard in Best Warrior

By Jonathan (Jay) Koester
NCO Journal

Recently, the Oregon Army National Guard had its Best Warrior competition at Camp Rilea, Oregon. The NCO leadership in the Oregon National Guard works hard to make the competition challenging. They hope the effort allows the winners to build on their successes as they compete regionally and nationally.

Article published on: Sept. 13, 2016


WCAP NCO wins gold by smashing Paralympic swimming record

By Pablo Villa
NCO Journal

Sgt. Elizabeth Marks, a medic and Paralympic swimmer who is part of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program of Fort Carson, Colorado, offered a reminder of why she’s captured the world’s attention this year with her performance Saturday at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Article published on: Sept. 12, 2016


Drill sergeants, AIT platoon sergeant of year winners announced

By Jonathan (Jay) Koester
NCO Journal

After four days of difficult competition, the 15 NCOs vying to become the 2016 Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year were called into the Bowen Room of the Drill Sergeant School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for the announcement of the winners.

Article published on: Sept. 9, 2016


Camaraderie grows among drill sergeant, AIT platoon sergeant competitors

By Jonathan (Jay) Koester
NCO Journal

With the heat and humidity soaring at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on Thursday, the 15 NCOs competing to be named the top drill sergeant and AIT platoon sergeant had to survive on the small pleasures, like running through some cool mud on the obstacle course, or getting five minutes of shade while talking to a journalist.

Article published on: Sept. 9, 2016


‘If you’re not bleeding, sweating and pushed to your brink … then you didn’t do enough’

By Jonathan (Jay) Koester
NCO Journal

After a formal board interview and written test Tuesday night, the 2016 Drill Sergeant and AIT Platoon Sergeant of the Year competitions kicked into high gear Wednesday, with the 15 competitors taking on challenges like a physical training test, day and night land navigation, basic rifle marksmanship and teaching new recruits.

Article published on: Sept. 8, 2016


3 NCOs part of Army’s Soldier-athlete contingent on U.S. Paralympic team

Compiled by Pablo Villa

U.S. Army Paralympians are a different breed of competitor. They have made enduring sacrifices on behalf of the nation they serve. They have also trained at the most elite levels to make it to the biggest stage in sports. Three Soldiers - who are also noncommissioned officers - join the U.S. contingent competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Article published on: Sept. 6, 2016


Soldier volunteers provide critical service at Natick

By Martha C. Koester
NCO Journal

They arrive every 90 days at the Natick Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts, ready to perform an invaluable mission on behalf of their military brothers and sisters. If a Soldier wears it, eats it or sleeps under it, a human research volunteer has tested it for the Army warfighter.

Article published on: Sept. 1, 2016


This Month in NCO History: Sept. 1, 1950 - Holding the tank at Naktong Bulge

By Pablo Villa
NCO Journal

Article about Master Sgt. Ernest R. Kouma, Medal of Honor recepient.

Article published on: Sept. 1, 2016