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NCO Journal January 2019 Articles

The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development

NCO as Congressional Fellow

By Sgt. Maj. Travis Votaw

U.S. Army Combined Arms Center

Congressional oversight of our Army comes in many forms. Most noncommissioned officers (NCOs) are familiar with congressional inquiries, and many have experienced a congressional delegation visit to their post or forward operating base while deployed. However, few realize Congress plays a pivotal role in nearly all we do.

Article published on: January 28, 2019

Defeating ISIS in Iraq

By Command Sgt. Maj. Mark A. Millare

Command Sgt. Maj. for the 41st Brigade Engineer Battalion

Obama’s strategy to support Iraqi forces in their fight against ISIS, rather than sending American ground troops to destroy ISIS, was a fundamental shift in American policies that leaned towards restraint and set new boundaries on the limits of American responsibilities in Iraq and the Middle East.

Article published on: January 25, 2019

Medal of Honor - Staff Sgt. Dix

By Joshua D. Esposito, Ph.D.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command Historian

The NCO creed provides an azimuth for U.S. Army non-commissioned officers (NCOs), outlining the values expected to guide the soldiers who form the ‘backbone of the Army.’ This short article explains how then-Staff Sergeant Drew D. Dix, 5th Special Forces Group, exhibited characteristics between 1967 and 1968 that were later codified in the NCO Creed.

Article published on: January 16, 2019

Best Warrior Competition

By Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Disque

Asymmetric Warfare Group

Every October, 22 of the best Soldiers and noncommissioned officers (NCOs) from every major command in the Army meet at Fort A.P. Hill, VA in a quest to earn the title of the Army’s Best Warrior. Preparing for this competition and selecting the competitors is a process that demands special attention from leaders and competitors that goes far beyond just preparing for a regular board.

Article published on: January 9, 2019

A Culture of Excellence

By Capt. Deveraux and 1st Sgt. Castignanie

Bravo Battery "Bulldogs," 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment

Leadership styles that utilize positive reinforcement through incentivizing success, empower units to achieve immediate results while also creating a culture of excellence.

Article published on: January 4, 2019