SGM-A’s Partnership with the NCO Journal
By Sgt. Maj. Jorge A. Rivera and Sgt. Maj. Sean T. McCracken
Sergeants Major Academy, NCOLCoE
Oct. 11, 2024
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In 2023, the Army Chief of Staff, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Commander, and Sergeant Major of the Army published an article calling on Army leaders to strengthen the profession “from top to bottom by building expertise through written discourse” (George, Brito & Weimer, 2023, para. 1).
In response, the Sergeants Major Academy (SGM-A) and the NCO Journal created a partnership intended to foster professional growth and amplify the NCO voice. The Contributing Editors program promotes scholarly activities, military professional writing, professional connections, and original research on subjects of relevance to the NCO Corps and the Army community.
Central to this groundbreaking alliance are the volunteer contributing editors, all current SGM-A instructors. They include SGM-A fellows who are graduates of Penn State University’s master’s program in adult education or Syracuse University’s master’s program in instructional design, development, and evaluation.
Leveraging their extensive expertise and graduate education, these contributing editors play a crucial role in reviewing and editing submissions to the NCO Journal. The journal serves as the official publication dedicated to NCO professional development. It provides a platform for exchanging ideas and relevant information within the NCO Corps. In this context, the SGM-A plays a critical role in preparing master sergeants and sergeants major for leadership positions.
The Sergeants Major Course curriculum challenges students to think critically, apply innovative concepts, and excel in written communication. Additionally, the SGM-A actively encourages faculty and students to contribute to the broader body of knowledge through scholarly authorship, recognizing its importance for senior NCOs. This partnership is not coincidental but purposeful.
What makes the editors’ contribution remarkable is their generous donation of time outside of their responsibilities at the SGM-A. In addition to instructing students at the academy, these volunteers commit themselves to the meticulous task of editing submissions to the journal, exemplifying their unwavering dedication to NCO professional development.
These contributing editors draw upon decades of experience to assess submission validity, accuracy, and relevancy to professionally develop the NCO Corps and the Army profession. They provide thoughtful feedback to authors, supporting the call to action from Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Randy George and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer (George, Brito & Weimer, 2023, para. 14).
These volunteers’ constructive feedback enhances the clarity, depth, and significance of the authors’ arguments, observations, insights, and recommendations. Collaboratively, they transform good writing into professional writing that connects ideas, experience, and application to a community of interest, thereby “strengthening the Army’s professional institutions, experiences, and culture” (George, Brito & Weimer, 2023, para. 5).
This collaboration strengthens the bond between the NCO Journal and the Sergeants Major Academy. It also underscores the institutions’ commitment to foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development. Through their dedicated service as SGM-A instructors and contributing editors, these professionals exemplify the values of scholarship, mentorship, and leadership that are hallmarks of the NCO Corps.
Additionally, NCOs and Soldiers who submit articles to the journal have a unique opportunity to engage with experienced mentors who deeply understand adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies. By receiving constructive feedback and guidance from these seasoned professionals, NCOs and Soldiers can refine their writing skills, enhance their communication abilities, and contribute meaningfully to the journal’s discourse.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, the SGM-A contributing editors have reviewed and processed 105 articles, with nearly 50 approved for publication and another 40 pending further refinement. Articles not yet ready for publication in the NCO Journal receive specific feedback for improvement.
Additionally, authors may receive a recommendation to consider submitting their work to other respected publications, such as the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), From the Green Notebook, Small Wars Journal, Task & Purpose, The Military Leader, or The Modern War Institute—venues where similar topics and ideas are shared and discussed. This deliberate collaboration ensures valuable insights reach a wider audience, benefiting the professional military education community.
In March, Brig. Gen. David C. Foley (who served as the Deputy Commandant of the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) and as the Provost for the Army University) recognized the exceptional contributions of the SGM-A faculty and students toward advancing professional military education and discourse.
Five distinguished members of the SGM-A faculty were honored with Silver and Bronze Pen Awards, acknowledging their outstanding mentorship and contributions to military literature. Furthermore, seven students from Class 74 were awarded the prestigious Iron Pen Award, celebrating their excellence in scholarly writing and their significant contributions to the body of knowledge within the NCO Corps.
Since Foley’s visit, an additional 17 faculty members have received Silver and Bronze Pen Awards for publishing in the NCO Journal and On Point: The Journal of Army History. These awards highlight individual achievements and underscore the culture of excellence and continuous learning the SGM-A fosters within its community.
The partnership between the NCO Journal and the Sergeants Major Academy, supported by the expertise of contributing editors, heralds a new era of mentorship, scholarship, and excellence in professional military education. Through collaborative efforts and shared expertise, they elevate the standards of discourse and empower NCOs to shape the future of the profession.
Ultima Strong!
References
George, R., Brito, G. & Weimer, M. (2023). Strengthening the Profession: A Call to All Army Leaders to Revitalize Our Professional Discourse. Modern War Institute at West Point. https://mwi.westpoint.edu/strengthening-the-profession-a-call-to-all-army-leaders-to-revitalize-our-professional-discourse/
Sgt. Maj. Jorge A. Rivera volunteers as a contributing editor in support of the NCO Journal, serves as a senior instructor at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and is an adjunct instructor in homeland security at Mary Baldwin University. He holds master’s degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso and Syracuse University. He uses his background and interests to write on leadership and national security issues.
Sgt. Maj. Sean T. McCracken is a senior Armor NCO, currently assigned as the deputy director of the Sergeants Major Academy, and he volunteers as a contributing editor for the NCO Journal. He has held leadership positions from team leader through squadron command sergeant major. He holds a master’s degree from Syracuse University and is a doctoral student at Baylor University, pursuing a doctorate in education with a focus on learning and organizational change.
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