NCO Journal January 2017 Articles
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
NCO’s Howitzer Innovation Expected to Save Army Money, Lives
By NCO Journal Report
Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. Wesley Todd has invented a device for light towed howitzers that improves Soldier safety and equipment longevity. It’s also expected to save the Army hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Article published on: January 31, 2017
Career Program Helps Cut Soldier Unemployment Payments to 13-Year Low
By NCO Journal Report
As it turns out, former Soldier Jonathan Quinones has a “knack” for real estate — and he might have never known had he not participated in the Career Skills Program.
Article published on: January 31, 2017
NCOs Discuss Army Warfighting Challenges at Professional Development Session
By Mary B. Grimes, CECOM Public Affairs
With an eye on 2017 and beyond, Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew D. McCoy, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, wrapped up 2016 by hosting a professional development presentation for the Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or C4ISR...
Article published on: January 30, 2017
TRADOC Leader Sees “Major Step Forward” In NCO 2020
By Master Sgt. Gary L. Qualls Jr.
As technology, the environment, and the strategies and complexities of warfare continue to evolve in the new millennium, national defense leaders are preparing what is widely regarded as the foundation of that security – the Noncommissioned Officer Corps – with 50 initiatives designed to help NCOs meet those evolving challenges. These key initiatives to the nation’s defense in the modern operational environment are known as NCO 2020.
Article published on: January 30, 2017
SMA Unveils Bonuses, Incentives to Retain Soldiers for Million-Strong Force
By NCO Journal Report
With the total Army tasked to expand by 28,000 troops this year, the service hopes to retain quality Soldiers with incentives, such as cash bonuses up to $10,000 for extensions, the Army’s top enlisted member said this month.
Article published on: January 26, 2017
Q&A: The Army’s New Talent Management Program
By Arpi Dilanian and Taiwo Akowowo, Army Sustainment Magazine
For the first time, the Army will use a talent management process that integrates the personnel records of active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard Soldiers into one system. Lt. Gen. James C. McConville, the Army deputy chief of staff, G-1, shares his insights...
Article published on: January 26, 2017
Recruit the Selfish: Stressing Individual Opportunity in Army Recruiting
By Staff Sgt. Hammerquist
Winner, NCO Writing Excellence Program (January 2017)
The Army should reconsider its target market and implement a campaign emphasizing mutual benefits for both the Army and the recruit. Since its formation, the Army has relied on one medium for Army recruitment above all others: the recruiting poster. With the recent retirement of “Army Strong,” a partially successful marketing strategy...
Article published on: January 20, 2017
Program Teaches Future Sergeants Major To Boost Soldiers’ Wellness
By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal
The new year will bring a crop of sergeants major with a new outlook on wellness. Class 67 at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy is taking part in the Executive Wellness Program, which is intended to merge information on the Performance Triad with resilience...
Article published on: January 19, 2017
Wellness Assessment at USASMA Reveals Common Problem: Not Enough Sleep
By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal
When representatives from the Executive Wellness Center assessed Class 67 at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy recently, they found themselves doling out the same advice to many of the sergeants-major-to-be: Get more sleep.
Article published on: January 19, 2017
Commentary: The Army Has A Sleep Problem. Here’s How to Fix It
By NCO Journal Staff Report
Army Maj. Jeff Jager and Former Marine Corps Sgt. Aaron Kennedy say the Army has a sleep deprivation problem in a commentary published in the Army Times.
Article published on: January 19, 2017
Game Studio Helps Keep Army Outreach, Education High-Tech
By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal
America’s Army is a high-tech organization. “America’s Army,” the video game, is testament to this fact. The Army Game Studio at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, continually works to develop and enhance its educational, outreach and training tools, including the popular combat simulator game for computer platforms that first launched in 2002.
Article published on: January 12, 2017
Football App Helps Recruiters Reach Student-Athletes
By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal
Recruiters have a new tool to reach high-school athletes, courtesy of Army Game Studio. The “Go Army Edge Football” application gives football coaches and players a valuable, high-tech means to improve on-field performance and maximize training time. The application gives Army recruiters a valuable inside track with high-school athletics programs to foster relationships and deliver the Army’s message.
Article published on: January 12, 2017
Army Game Studio Provides Variety of Outreach, Training Products
By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal
The Army Game Studio’s products extend into a variety of media to help boost the Army’s message and help Soldiers perform their missions. This free application, available for Android and iPhone iOS operating systems, takes information from GoArmy.com and makes it available on recruiters’ and other users’ mobile phones.
Article published on: January 12, 2017
Post-Military Employment: The Final Collective Task
By Dale Williams, Special to the NCO Journal
More than 200,000 servicemembers are projected by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to leave the active service annually through 2019. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that recent veterans from 18 to 34 years of age have a higher unemployment rate than non-veterans in the same age range. Veteran hiring programs and initiatives have been shown to contain value.
Article published on: January 9, 2017
Former NCO Inspires Fellow Teachers, Competes For National Teacher of the Year
By Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal
As a noncommissioned officer, Kelisa Wing strove to inspire her Soldiers by her example, and today, she does the same for her students and fellow teachers. Wing was nominated by one of her students and named 2017 Department of Defense Education Activity Teacher of the Year.
Article published on: January 5, 2017
Former NCO Named DoD Education Activity Teacher of the Year
By Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal
Former NCO Kelisa Wing has brought the leadership skills she gained in the Army into her classroom at Fort Benning, Georgia. Faith Middle School’s students and teachers are inspired every day by Wing, who has been named the 2017 Department of Defense Education Activity Teacher of the Year.
Article published on: January 5, 2017