Publishing Disclaimer: In all of its publications and products, NCO Journal presents professional information. However, the views expressed therein are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Army University, the Department of the US Army, or any other agency of the US Government.

 
 

NCO Journal Writing Topics & Prompts

We highly encourage submissions from all viewpoints and hope that the topics below will inspire you to write.

  • Lessons Learned
    What is a time in your military career where you failed at something and what did you do about it?
    Describe a time when you took the hard right over the easy wrong and how did it work out?
    Describe a time you took the initiative in the absence of orders and what was the end result?
    How have you assisted a fellow Soldier experiencing a hardship?
    What change would you make as the Chief of Staff of the Army or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to better the Army?
  • Soldier Lethality.
    Soldier Lethality encompasses a wide range of technologies that enable troops to shoot, move, communicate, protect, and sustain themselves.
    Based on your background and experience as an NCO and in your particular field, how can Soldiers be more lethal on the battlefield? Is it next-generation weapons, fires, vehicles, close air or artillery support, prepositioning or something intangible like PME? 
    NCO leadership lessons learned in combat or in the combat zone. Recount an experience and what you learned from it.
  • Expeditionary Army Capabilities and Capacity.
    “The Army must overcome the challenges of rapidly moving large forces from the U.S. to distant locations to fight an informed and capable enemy. It must be able to employ sufficient, organized forces across all domains, in all environments, under all conditions.”
    What role do NCOs play in these challenges? Specifically, what role to NCOs in your field play in these challenges?
  • Challenges to Army in the Future Fight.
    How have current technological advances changed your NCO mission?
    Will future technologies change the way NCOs accomplish their mission? How? Why?
    What challenges might NCOs face in the future ... 10 years, 20 years, 50 years from now? Think outside the box (works of fiction could address future challenges and help the Army plan for the next war).
  • Suicide Prevention.
    A disturbing number of service members and veterans commit suicide each year.
    Talk about your experiences and provide lessons learned. What can NCOs do to help their Soldiers?
  • Soldier & Family Challenges.
    What are the problems with military housing and how they can be resolved?
  • Challenges to Army in the Future Fight.
    How have current technological advances changed your NCO mission?
    Will future technologies change the way NCOs accomplish their mission? How? Why?
    What challenges might NCOs face in the future ... 10 years, 20 years, 50 years from now? Think outside the box (works of fiction could address future challenges and help the Army plan for the next war).
  • History.
    Take a focused look at the history of your unit, or any unit of your choice, and offer a critical review of NCO contributions (successes or failures).
  • Gender and Race. (*Sensitive subjects, be careful how you approach them. The NCO Journal is not a place to voice your grievances, use this forum to grow and help other NCOs grow. Exercise your critical thinking skills.)
    Gender roles.
    Transgender policy.
    Race in the military.
    Do you have personal insight or relevant experiences?
  • Pandemic.
    What challenges have you faced during the COVID-19 pandemic? What did you do to overcome them?
  • Current and Emerging Capability Gaps
  • Multi Domain Operations
  • Training and Leader Development
  • Soldier & Family Resiliency
  • Resource and Capabilities Adaption in the Future Fight
  • Generating Force Readiness
  • Security Assistance, Stabilization, and Counter-Extremism
  • Army Financial Management
  • Information Technology
  • Real Property Management
  • Health Care Management
  • Human Resources
  • Procurement

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