NCO Journal April 2017 Articles
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
Army Reserve celebrates birthday with new CSM
By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal
The Army Reserve will celebrate its birthday this month with a new senior enlisted adviser. Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Charles D. Luckey, commanding general of the Army Reserve Command, last month announced the appointment of Command Sgt. Maj. Ted L. Copeland.
Article published on: April 25, 2017
NCO promotions get tougher this year; more changes ahead
By Pablo Villa, NCO Journal
The most recent comprehensive list of changes to Army Regulation 600-8-19 are tied to the reduction in size of the force, Army Chief of Staff Raymond T. Odierno said Jan. 6 during a virtual town hall event at Fort Lee, Va. During the past 10 years, the Army peaked at a force level of about 570,000 Soldiers. That number is scheduled to dip to 450,000 by the end of 2017.
Article published on: April 23, 2017
Senior NCOs contemplate dedication through traditionally arduous duty as Army Reserve celebrates 109th Birthday
By Gary L. Qualls, Jr., NCO Journal
As Command Sgt. Maj. Mark C. Allen contemplated more than a century of history from the days of the Dough Boy to today’s comparatively high tech U.S. Army Reserve noncommissioned officer, he thought of the technical and capability changes, the Reserve’s ongoing struggle for resources, the change in the sentiment of the nation, and the inherently challenging nature of the citizen-Soldier.
Article published on: April 23, 2017
‘Pershing’s Own’ NCOs help heal wounded Soldiers with music
By Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal
As esteemed musicians of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” Staff Sgt. Christy Klenke and Master Sgt. Leigh Ann Hinton have played in countless performances and for many distinguished guests. But, for the noncommissioned officers, nothing beats using their music to connect with the small audiences of wounded warriors they meet with once a month at Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Article published on: April 23, 2017
Self-Development Through Tuition Assistance
Sgt. Maj. Scott D. Cates
The tuition assistance program helps Soldiers pay for college while in the military. Attending classes and using tuition assistance seems simple, but time and culture can get in the way. Leaders in some career fields or specific assignments state that they don’t have time to allow Soldiers to attend college.
Article published on: April 13, 2017
Innovative curriculum at Cyber School soon will have cutting-edge facility to match
By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal
Late last year, the Army broke ground on a new cyber headquarters at Fort Gordon, Georgia, but the Army Cyber School cadre have spent years laying the groundwork for the instruction that will take place at the state-of-the-art facility.
Article published on: April 11, 2017
Warrior Transition Unit Cadre Training course prepares NCOs for the stresses ahead
By Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal
Non-Commissioned Officers of all military occupational specialties may volunteer for a broadening assignment as a Warrior Transition Unit Cadre member, but only the best of the best are chosen by their commands for the job.
Article published on: April 6, 2017