NCO Journal

The Official Journal of NCO Professional Development, published at the Army University Press, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Army. Army or the Department of Defense.

Welcome to the NCO Journal's page. The NCO Journal is a professional publication for Noncommissioned Officers of the U.S. Its mission is to provide a forum for the open exchange of ideas and information, to support training, education and development of the NCO Corps, and to foster a closer bond among its members. To accomplish this mission we provide timely and factual information on top

ics about the Army and the NCO Corps to the Army’s NCOs. Our audience includes active, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers, sister and international services, retirees and family members. While this is an open forum, it's also a family friendly one, so please keep your comments and wall posts clean. In addition to keeping it family friendly, we ask that you follow our posting guidelines here. Posts will be removed if they violate the guidelines listed below.

• No graphic, obscene, explicit or racial comments or submissions nor do we allow comments that are abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization.

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• You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided. Also, the appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the NCO Journal, the U.S. For more information, visit the DoD Social Media user agreement at:
http://www.defense.gov/socialmedia/user-agreement.aspx
Archives of issues printed between 1991 and 2011 can be found at:
https://usasma.bliss.army.mil/NCOJournal/pastissues.asp

07/18/2025

Examining the Battle of Okinawa reveals the pivotal role of effective joint planning in combat, SGM Jeffrey Wittenhagen writes. Analyzing the World War II campaign, he discovers lessons relevant to modern military operations.

Read his insights: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2025/July/The-Battle-of-Okinawa/
NCO Leadership Center of Excellence U.S. Army U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command

Examining the Battle of Okinawa reveals the pivotal role of effective joint planning in combat, Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Wittenhagen writes. Analyzing the World War II campaign, he discovers lessons relevant to modern military operations. Read his insights.

07/16/2025

In today's NCO Journal Podcast, Sgt. Maj. Andrew Gregory discusses his experience in high operational tempo environments and gives his thoughts on how it could be straining readiness.

Listen -
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nco-journal-podcast-episode-82-addressing-unsustainable/id1606000766?i=1000717204443
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0oR0wBFaQOYKLPIRVM4HnQ
DVIDS: https://www.dvidshub.net/audio/87476/nco-journal-podcast-episode-82-addressing-unsustainable-optempo

Podcast Episode · NCO Journal Podcast · 07/14/2025 · 47m

07/14/2025

CASCOM CSM Marco Torres highlights growth opportunities for NCOs, from working with FedEx or Amazon in the Training with Industry (TWI) program to earning certification or becoming an Observer Coach/Trainer (OC/T).
Read his Muddy Boots article: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Muddy-Boots/MOS-Competency/
U.S. Army U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)

“Command Sgt. Maj. Marco A. Torres highlights growth opportunities for NCOs, from working with FedEx or Amazon in the Training with Industry (TWI) program to earning certification or becoming an Observer Coach/Trainer (OC/T). Read his Muddy Boots article on mastering your Military Occupational Spe...

07/11/2025

In the Army, Ret. MSG Marcus Taylor used the NCO Creed to inform his leadership, training, and professional development. Today, he shares his method for internalizing and applying the creed’s principles.
Learn the 2-R.O.A.D.S. Framework: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2025/July/Live-the-NCO-Creed-Every-Day/
U.S. Army U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command NCO Leadership Center of Excellence Army University The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Army University Press

n the Army, Retired Master Sgt. Marcus D. Taylor used the NCO Creed to inform his leadership, training, and professional development. Today, he shares his method for internalizing and applying the creed’s principles. Learn his 2-R.O.A.D.S. Framework.

07/01/2025

"A unit's mission doesn't define its value but its ability to learn, grow, and deliver," writes CSM Bryan D. Barker. An approach from the NCO's toolbox allowed his team to flourish in Afghanistan. Read now in his Muddy Boots article: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/journals/nco-journal/muddy-boots/fundamentals-first/
U.S. Army XVIII Airborne Corps U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command NCO Leadership Center of Excellence Army University

“A unit’s initial mission doesn’t define its value but its ability to learn, grow, and deliver,” Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan D. Barker writes. An approach from the NCO’s toolbox allowed his team to flourish in Afghanistan. Read how in his Muddy Boots article.

06/27/2025

The rise of individualism threatens Army cohesion, writes CSM Errol H. Brooks. Emphasizing shared purpose can reform Soldiers who are more focused on social media status and hair color than on the training and proficiency combat requires.

Read on: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/journals/nco-journal/archives/2025/june/one-team-one-fight/

7th Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy U.S. Army U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) NCO Leadership Center of Excellence Army University Press

The rise of individualism threatens Army cohesion, writes Command Sgt. Maj. Errol H. Brooks. Emphasizing shared purpose can reform Soldiers who are more focused on social media status and hair color than on the training and proficiency combat requires.

06/20/2025

Leaders must understand the human behind the uniform. MSG Matthew Rouse shows how by sharing his own journey from high school dropout and troubled Soldier to a Sergeants Major Academy student.
Read here: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/journals/nco-journal/archives/2025/june/leadership-matters/
U.S. Army U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command NCO Leadership Center of Excellence

From troubled youth to Sergeant Major Academy, Master Sgt. Matthew W. Rouse shows how supportive leadership can rebuild lives and unleash soldiers’ potential.

06/16/2025

In today’s Muddy Boots article, CSM Jonathan Reffeor reminds us that trust is earned through relentless preparation, repetition and shared struggle. Training side by side, Soldiers become more than ready – they become unbreakable.
Read here: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Muddy-Boots/Train-for-Your-Worst-Day/
3rd Infantry Division U.S. Army U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) NCO Leadership Center of Excellence

Trust isn’t just valuable, writes Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan E. Reffeor. It’s lifesaving. Learn how training for the worst transformed Soldiers into a cohesive team with faith in one another, and find out how that paid off during harsh combat in Iraq.

06/14/2025

06/13/2025

People are the most important asset in the Army. SGT D'Angelo Isaac explains how valuing and recognizing every Soldier – regardless of rank or role – strengthens unit culture and drives performance.

Read more: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2025/June/People-First/

"People First" is a guiding philosophy that should be evident in every Soldier's daily actions and decisions. By valuing and respecting their contributions, the Army promotes a culture of respect, which is indispensable for its success.

06/06/2025

High performance can come at a personal cost. MSG Leonard Grimes explains how building a strong system — a “village” — helps leaders overcome anxiety, enjoy their service and reach their full potential.

Read more: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2025/June/Find-Your-Village/

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command U.S. Army U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)

To unlock your full potential, writes Master Sgt. Leonard D. Grimes, identify and leverage your support system. Leaders who do — and who immerse themselves in the present — thrive in the face of challenges accompanying success.

06/02/2025

Standards and discipline are the bedrock of the Army. In today's Muddy Boots article, CSM Jerry Dodson emphasizes how on the-spot corrections, done with dignity and respect, reinforce trust, professionalism and readiness.
Read here: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Muddy-Boots/Standards-and-Discipline/

U.S. Army U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)

Why do Soldiers violate grooming standards, Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Dodson asks, and why don’t others correct them? The answer reveals how to make on-the-spot corrections properly — and why. Read this Muddy Boots contribution on standards and discipline.

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