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NCO Journal May 2017 Articles

The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development

NCOs critical to recruiting at all levels of the Army, even medical officers

By Clifford Kyle Jones, NCO Journal

Noncommissioned officers are crucial to the Army’s recruiting efforts, even when the Army is recruiting officers in the medical field. Maj. Robert M. Craig is the officer in charge of a station of the Nashville Company of the 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion, which is based at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. His team consists of three NCOs, with the rank of staff sergeant or sergeant first class.

Article published on: May 16, 2017


Senior NCOs answer questions about changes to NCO professional development

By Jonathan (Jay) Koester, NCO Journal

No matter how long or how honorably they serve in the U.S. Army, Soldiers often have a difficult time translating their skills to a civilian mindset and finding a good civilian job when they leave the Army.

Article published on: May 14, 2017


Possible new Expert Action Badge draws interest during TRADOC town hall

By Jonathan (Jay) Koester, NCO Journal

The Expert Action Badge recently went through a concept evaluation at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. It is meant to test Soldiers on their Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills, but many of the details are still to be finalized, including whether it will even keep the name of Expert Action Badge.

Article published on: May 13, 2017


Social misconduct violates Army values, NCOs at Town Hall 4 say

By Martha C. Koester, NCO Journal

When it comes to any question regarding Soldiers’ conduct, Sgt. Maj. Boris Bolaños, senior enlisted advisor for the Center for the Army Profession and Ethic and Not in My Squad in West Point, New York, always refers to the same passage in the NCO Creed ─ “I know my Soldiers…”

Article published on: May 11, 2017


Veteran NCOs thrive in team environment as they prepare for Warrior Games

By Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal

About 250 seriously wounded, ill and injured veterans and active duty service members will compete in the Warrior Games this year. Teams representing the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Special Operations Command will face off during the event, which is meant to be a provide an environment of sportsmanship and camaraderie to aid the individuals’ physical, mental and spiritual growth and recover.

Article published on: May 10, 2017


Drill sergeants could return to AIT in late 2019

By Jonathan (Jay) Koester, NCO Journal

Though the idea has been floated in the past, during TRADOC’s fourth State of NCO Professional Development Town Hall, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gragg, the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, said the plans are now moving forward. Drill sergeants could be back in AIT as soon as October 2019

Article published on: May 9, 2017


Sustainment NCOs keep Army moving along in Korea

By Meghan Portillo, NCO Journal

As tensions rise on the Korean peninsula — with President Donald Trump calling North Korea a “very grave threat,” and North Korea responding with a video showing the White House in crosshairs and declaring “the enemy to be destroyed is in our sights”1 — it is as important as ever to have an Army prepared for war in South Korea.

Article published on: May 7, 2017