NCO Journal June 2026 Articles
The official magazine of noncommissioned officer professional development
No One Is More Professional Than I
By Staff Sgt. Josiah T. Smith
An evolving Army needs adaptable leaders. This piece highlights how NCOs remain the essential backbone of unity, discipline, and mentorship. True leadership isn't about perfection; it's about being the standard, building trust, and advocating for every Soldier.
Article published on: June 29, 2026
Standards Are Combat Power
By Master Sgt. Atarius J. Henley
Discipline isn't administrative — it's a warfighting imperative. Enforcing strict standards in training and maintenance builds lethal, cohesive teams capable of winning decentralized battles. NCOs must live, teach, and uphold the standard daily.
Article published on: June 26, 2026
They Say That in the Army, the Chow Is Mighty Fine
By Spc. Watcharin Joemsittiprasert
We all joke about Army chow in cadences, but the reality is much different! This article highlights how 92G Culinary Specialists follow strict safety doctrines to provide safe, mission-ready morale fuel. Army food isn't a punchline — it's vital sustainment.
Article published on: June 22, 2026
Vanguard: An NCO-Built App Revolutionizing Army Operations
By Staff Sgt. Matthew M. Shields, Capt. Benjamin J. Peterson, and Capt. Charlson B. Ro
NCOs from the 500th MIB-T created the Vanguard Operations Platform (VOP) to revolutionize Army planning. This custom app digitizes and centralizes the analog operations orders (OPORDs) process, boosting mission readiness. It was just approved for all MIB-Ts!
Article published on: June 18, 2026
Master Gunners: The Army’s Endangered Experts
By Master Sgt. Jared W. Duncan
The Army's Master Gunners are critical technical experts, yet they are often misassigned. To preserve expertise, maintain unit lethality, and support rapid modernization, the Army must transition the Master Gunner role from an ASI to a distinct, protected MOS.
Article published on: June 12, 2026
Reviving Army Amphibious Capabilities in the Indo-Pacific
By Sgt. Maj. Leon P. Nelson
To secure U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Army must revive its amphibious warfare capabilities. By applying WWII lessons and the DOTMLPF-P framework, the Army can close critical gaps, enhance joint readiness, and prepare for future multi-domain operations.
Article published on: June 8, 2026
Leading Across Generations
By Master Sgt. Bladimiro Fernandez
How do NCOs lead today’s Soldiers? By shifting from strict compliance to earned credibility. To build lethal, cohesive teams, modern military leaders must communicate intent, foster dialogue, and connect every mission to a shared purpose.
Article published on: June 5, 2026
Don’t Admire the Problem, Fix It!
By Command Sgt. Maj. Phil K. Barretto
Don’t admire the problem, fix it! By changing the West Point “tactical NCO” title to “Military Science Instructor,” leaders aligned roles with Army doctrine. This ensures NCOs get proper credit for training future officers. See a gap? Step up and drive the solution.
Article published on: June 1, 2026