NCO Journal February 2017 Articles
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
SAMC Provides Leadership, Growth Opportunities for NCOs
Sgt. 1st Class Richard Sheetz
As the Joint Base Langley-Eustis Sergeant Audie Murphy Club president, I have the distinct honor of serving with motivated and dedicated leaders from various Army military occupational specialties. These noncommissioned officers are some of the finest leaders within their career fields, and they consistently strive to better themselves, the installation and the surrounding community.
Article published on: February 28, 2017
New Academy Will Train NCOs For Security Force Assistance Brigades
NCO Journal Report
A new Military Advisor Training Academy at Fort Benning, Georgia, will train both noncommissioned and commissioned officers assigned to a new type of unit: the Security Force Assistance Brigade.
Article published on: February 28, 2017
Senior Enlisted Leaders Take On Army’s Latest Fitness Test At Fort Carson
NCO Journal Report
Fort Carson’s senior enlisted leaders are well accustomed to early-morning workouts, but just after 6 a.m. one day earlier this month, a few gathered at the Colorado post’s Waller Physical Fitness Center to try something new.
Article published on: February 27, 2017
This Month in NCO History: Feb. 26, 1991 — Bravery Among the Tanks at Desert Storm
Pablo Villa, NCO Journal
Sgt. Young Min Dillon possessed an undaunted spirit throughout his Army career. That notion was no more evident than in the last conversation he had with his father. “I told him before he went into battle, ‘… don’t be a point man in a war. The point man is in front of the battle all the time. You could get killed doing that,’” Larry Dillon told the Rocky Mountain News of Denver, Colorado, in 2003.
Article published on: February 23, 2017
4th Female Sentinel Proud To Revere Tomb’s Unknown Soldiers
By Martha C. Koester - NCO Journal
Sgt. Ruth Hanks has many memories to choose from when explaining why she cherishes her job as a tomb guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Article published on: February 22, 2017
Army Marketing Strategies and the Future of Word-Of-Mouth Marketing
STAFF SGT. Brian C. Darling, New Jersey Army National Guard
The U.S. Army predates the nation it serves. Since its inception, policymakers have worked to define the relationship between America’s Army and the civilian populace that supports its mission
Article published on: February 16, 2017
Hard Lessons for New Sergeants
By COMMAND SGT. MAJ. Daniel Hendrex, Special to the NCO Journal
I recently had the opportunity to discuss those experiences with the 10th Mountain Division, NCO Academy Basic Leader Course graduating Class 04-16 at Fort Drum, New York. Whether it’s a BLC Graduation, an NCO induction ceremony or opening a Leadership Professional Development session...
Article published on: February 14, 2017
Burn Flight Team Saves Lives, Breaks Records
By Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal
The U.S. Army Burn Flight Team has transported patients twice from Singapore back to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and both flights resulted in record-breaking missions.
Article published on: February 8, 2017
NCOs Bring Injured Soldiers Home as Members of Army’s Burn Flight Team
By Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal
Noncommissioned officers play a crucial role on the U.S. Army Burn Flight Team, which is prepared to fly any time, anywhere to transport burned military personnel to the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center at Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Article published on: February 8, 2017
Ex-NCO Comes Up Short in Welterweight Boxing Main Event
By Pablo Villa, NCO Journal
Sammy Vasquez Jr. entered the ring Thursday night for a nationally televised welterweight boxing match, believing it was a bout he couldn’t afford to lose. The only problem? His opponent felt the same way.
Article published on: February 3, 2017
‘Pershing’s Own’ NCOs Shine during Inaugural Festivities
By Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal
The ceremonial splendor on display during inaugural festivities never fails to transfix the Soldiers of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” whether it’s their first presidential inauguration or their sixth. The band’s noncommissioned officers fully understand their responsibility in representing the Army and their fellow Soldiers on that global stage.
Article published on: February 2, 2017
NCOs of Old Guard Lead 58th Presidential Inauguration
By Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal
Being a part of the renowned 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) affords many Soldiers unparalleled opportunities on a global stage. For Sgt. 1st Class Christopher G. Taffoya, platoon sergeant for 3rd Platoon Honor Guard Company, it was an opportunity to perform in his second inauguration in an honor guard cordon – this time, as noncommissioned officer in charge of the ceremonial unit.
Article published on: February 2, 2017
Old Guard’s NCOs Take Places among Horses, Big Guns in Inauguration Parade
By Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal
When the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard) began to gear up for its role in the 58th Presidential Inauguration, all Soldiers knew the meticulous preparation necessary called for all hands on deck. So, the Soldiers of the Presidential Salute Battery and the Caisson Platoon trotted out their big guns and elegant horses and set about getting them ready to take their traditional spots in one of the nation’s most celebrated parades.
Article published on: February 2, 2017
This Month in NCO History: Jan. 30, 1944 — Riding a Tank to Victory at Bougainville
By Pablo Villa, NCO Journal
When Staff Sgt. Jesse Ray Drowley arrived alone at an American camp on the Solomon Islands with a gaping wound in his chest, a missing eye and a shredded uniform, a junior officer threatened to court-martial him for abandoning his defense post. Instead, Drowley was put on the path to history. On Jan. 30, 1944, Drowley was a rifle squad leader with B Company, 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, when he displayed the bravery that would earn him the Medal of Honor.
Article published on: February 1, 2017
Former NCO Looks to Get Back on Track in Boxing’s Welterweight Division
By Pablo Villa, NCO Journal
It would have been easy for Sammy Vasquez Jr. to take a step back. After suffering his first professional loss and a health scare last summer, the budding welterweight boxing star could have set his sights on an opponent of a lesser caliber in order to get back into the win column. But Vasquez, a former sergeant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, knows only one direction to move — forward.
Article published on: February 1, 2017