NCO Journal December 2017 Articles
Vaccines, What NCOs Need to Know
By Kimball Johnson
NCO Journal
Vaccines have been a part of Army life since the Revolutionary War. Today, Soldiers receive a variety of immunizations against infectious diseases to maintain personal readiness and NCOs should emphasize their importance.
Article published on: Dec. 29, 2017
Army's Career Skills Program Trains Transitioning Soldiers for Civilian Careers
By Jenny Hale
Strategic Communications Contractor, Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program
TAP offers more than 5,000 employment opportunities to help Soldiers gain civilian skills while transitioning out of active duty. The Career Skills Program gives Soldiers the opportunity to learn vital career skills in targeted industries.
Article published on: Dec. 27, 2017
Customs and Courtesies
By Command Sgt. Maj. Fritz U. Smith
57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion
Published in From One Leader to Another by the Combat Studies Institute in 2013
Customs and courtesies have been a part of our Army lifestyle since the beginning of its existence. Like the changing of the guard or staff duty, each generation has added a bit of flavor to an event or custom to make it a little different and relevant for the current time/operating environment.
Article published on: Dec. 22, 2017
The Command Sergeant Major Role in Fires and Maneuver
By Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Burrow and Command Sgt. Maj. Roderick Marshal
This article provides senior NCOs the essentials from two different perspectives: a maneuver command sergeant major and a fires command sergeant major serving as senior trainers at JMRC.
Article published on: Dec. 20, 2017
SMA Dailey's Book Club: Ender's Game
By Crystal Bradshaw
NCO Journal
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey selected Ender's Game to stimulate intellectual learning inside the NCO ranks and to encourage NCOs to "get outside the box" for lessons and ideas.
Article published on: Dec. 18, 2017
North Korea: "Fight Tonight"
By Crystal Bradshaw
NCO Journal
NCOs must take 2nd ID’s motto to heart and be prepared to "fight tonight." As tensions continue to play out between the U.S. and North Korea, Soldiers must be prepared to go into battle and NCO leadership is key to Soldier readiness.
Article published on: Dec. 15, 2017
Mentorship: Understanding a Leader's Investment
By Master Sgt. Leslie Renken
Published in From One Leader to Another Volume II by the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 2015
As leaders we must "invest" in our Army, that investment is the development of the next generation of great leaders that will guide the future of our Army. This leader development cycle begins early in our careers when we self-identify at least one strong leader we would like to emulate and eventually allow to them become our mentor.
Article published on: Dec. 13, 2017
"Last Call" Retirement Planning
By William LaFalce
NCO Journal
When planning for retirement, Soldiers should begin planning three to five years in advance and know which options and programs will affect their retirement pay and benefits. Additionally, noncommissioned officers also need to be aware of the retirement services and options that effect Soldiers who face early or medical retirement.
Article published on: Dec. 11, 2017
Getting Inside the 1st SFAB
By Kimball Johnson
NCO Journal
Security Force Assistance Brigades are the newest addition to the Army’s evolving response for the need to establish stable and secure areas of operation around the world.
Article published on: Dec. 8, 2017
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
Back to the Future
By Patricia Rhodes
Former curator of the NCO Museum (now called the NCO Heritage Center) in Fort Bliss, Texas
Published in the first edition of the NCO Journal (Spring 1991)
According to U.S. Army Human Resources Command, 130,000 Soldiers transition to civilian life each year and only 15 percent of active-duty Soldiers serve for 20 years, though many are not aware that the Army offers a way for them to change careers while serving on active duty.
Article published on: Dec. 6, 2017
Great Opportunities for Army Career Changes
By Kimball Johnson
NCO Journal
While campaigns may be fought by armies, those armies are made up of much smaller units led by NCOs. Whether with Caesar at Alesia, Napoleon at Waterloo, or Rommel at Tobruk, individual soldiers and small unit leaders won or lost the battle and turned a campaign into a victory or a defeat.
Article published on: Dec. 4, 2017
Location of the Command Sergeant Major
By Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Holland
7th Army Training Command - Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany
In honor of the 50th anniversary of command sergeant major pioneers, I would like to share my perspective of this prestigious position in the U.S. Army.
Article published on: Dec. 1, 2017