Blog Posts Archives — The NCO Guide

Reflections and Discussion about the US Army Specialist 8/9 Ranks

May 16, 2020May 17, 2020 Dan Elder

In response to an email request to Daniel K. Elder about the belief that enlisted men did, in fact, wear Spec. 8 rank at one time. Dear I am of the opinion that the Army never promoted soldiers to the rank of Specialist 8 or Specialist 9. First, I must mention that I suspect the letter signed by “Mark... Read More

NCO Lesson: Sam, You Made the Pants Too Short!

May 7, 2019February 10, 2020 Bob Dare

Lesson on Leadership “Oh it is great to have a Giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a Giant” – Shakespeare (Measure for Measure) Serving as a Drill Sergeant was one of the most rewarding opportunities that I experienced in my 28 year Army career. It is one of the few jobs that... Read More

NCO 2020: Understanding the Lines of Effort

April 25, 2019May 2, 2019 Brian Lindsey

NCO 2020 Strategy The NCO 2020 Strategy was developed for many different reasons and the roles and responsibilities for Noncommissioned Officers have evolved significantly over the last few decades. NCOs in today’s environment have had to adjust in a deliberate and comprehensive approach. The days of not understanding your duties and responsibilities have been replaced with more stringent requirements at... Read More

116-year Army Streamer Error Continues

February 16, 2019February 19, 2019 Dan Elder

Streamer Spelling Error I only gained a deeper understanding of the United States Army major battles and the campaign streamers that they represent when I had the privilege to edit and update the book U.S. Army Campaign Streamers: Colors of Courage Since 1775. As a Senior Fellow for the non-profit Association of the United States Army and volunteering to serve... Read More

Neighborhood Watch in Baghdad

October 8, 2018October 4, 2018 Brett Waterhouse

Leader Lessons On 7 April 2003, I was the Platoon Sergeant of a tank platoon that had just fought its way into the heart of downtown Baghdad, Iraq, as part of what was called the second “Thunder Run.” At this point in my life, I was a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) who viewed the thought of talking to the citizens... Read More

The Essentials I found for selecting a College

October 3, 2018October 4, 2018 Phil Johndrow

Guest Blogger CSM (Ret.) Phil Johndrow When I first joined the Army in 1979, there was no need for additional education and I had no desire to pursue college. But then I began to see things change around me. Military technology advanced, and requirements for our leaders increased. If I wanted to make an impact as a leader, I needed... Read More

Flexing your soft skills

April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 Dan Elder

Knowing your job and performing it to the best of your ability is important. It’s vital to ensuring you remain employed and a valuable member of a team. But these days knowing your job will only get you so far. You need more than that. In a workforce, and a military, that is constantly changing and adapting to new technology... Read More

Do We Really Need a Parade?

March 10, 2018 Dan Elder

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced he would like to see a large military parade, similar to one he watched in France on Bastille Day. It’s something he’d previously expressed his desire for, but in January, he directed his top generals to organize the grand event he’s been imagining. While his exact motivations are unclear, other than he likes... Read More

Don’t be just a leader, be a transformational leader

February 26, 2018 Dan Elder

There are two basic kinds of leaders out there—the ones you want to do work for, and the ones you don’t. That may be overgeneralized, but most supervisory experiences fall into one of those two categories. Sometimes your first line, your direct supervisor or even your commander brings out the best in you and makes you want to generate the... Read More

What’s it like having an approved Defense Budget?

February 17, 2018February 17, 2018 Dan Elder

Finally! It looks like a coming boom for defense buyers and defense contractors, it looks like we have a defense budget approved. This month has brought both a solution to the long-lasting defense spending freeze with the Administration’s proposed budget for the 2019 fiscal year. Hearing all these headlines and news bites in passing can be confusing to know what’s... Read More

Becoming a more mindful leader

February 16, 2018February 16, 2018 Dan Elder

Mindful leadership—it’s a phrase that when first heard I wanted to pass off as some buzzword nonsense. But in more than a few mediums, I begin to see and hear people in different corners and perspectives chime in, as I learned more I began to realize that mindfulness is actually quite important when it comes to leadership. I ask myself, would... Read More

Inconsistency of writing non-commissioned officer versus noncommissioned officer

February 6, 2018February 6, 2018 Dan Elder

Non-Commissioned Officer vs. Noncommissioned Officer To hyphenate, or not to hyphenate—that is the question at hand today. So there it is, you’re a noncommissioned officer, and now you have to write out your new job title. How do you write it? Is it noncommissioned officer or non-commissioned officer? Some might argue that it simply depends on who you ask. Other,... Read More

Thank You For Your Service: Respecting Those In Uniform, And The Entire Organization They Represent

January 24, 2018January 24, 2018 Dan Elder

DOD LGBT Pride Month event celebration cake. The celebration was held on the Pentagon Courtyard, June 8, 2016. The event is an opportunity for the entire DOD community to come together and celebrate the great diversity of the American people in a festive, affirming atmosphere. President Barack Obama signed a proclamation, May 31, 2016, designating June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual... Read More

Increased pay is vital to recruiting and troop retention

January 15, 2018January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

Increased pay is vital to recruiting and troop retention Employee retention is hard for any company. When even Forbes 500 companies spend time brainstorming ways to keep their best and brightest, it’s no surprise that the military could stand to do the same sort of soul-searching. Retaining military service members has its own brand of unique challenges, but, when... Read More

Does Holiday Exodus impact soldier training?

January 8, 2018 Dan Elder

Does Holiday Exodus impact soldier training? Another year has come and gone, sending us all back to schools, jobs, and obligations we’ve put off to be with family—or maybe binge watch our favorite TV show. Do you remember what you were doing that final day in the office of 2017? I know I don’t—except for maybe willing the time to... Read More

Excessive Training Pulls Service Members Away From Core Military Tasks Before Deployment

January 3, 2018January 3, 2018 Dan Elder

Excessive Training Pulls Service Members Away From Core Military Tasks Before Deployment We’ve all been there—you find yourself sitting through yet another IT safety powerpoint training. Soldiers aren’t interested, you aren’t interested and yet requirements for this sort of mindless training continue to eat up space on an increasingly crowded training calendar. You wonder if there is a better way... Read More

Taming Technology

August 23, 2017January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

In this connected world, today’s military Leaders may often find themselves distracted in a sea of technology. One moment we are turning on our first computer with excitement and the next we are juggling multiple unit-issued phones, tablets and personal devices, computer email on multiple secure open and private networks, and social media requirements that can all lead to “digital... Read More

Why do we sing in formation?

June 12, 2017January 17, 2018 Dan Elder

You can thank Pvt. Willie Duckworth. The tech manual for marching is FM 3-21.5 (FM 22-5 for you old farts), and it says: Sing In Formation “To enable soldiers to learn or maintain cadence and develop rhythm, the instructor should have them count cadence while marching. a. To count cadence while marching at quick time, the instructor gives the preparatory command, Count... Read More

SMA George Dunaway, In Memorium

February 6, 2017January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

From a tribute I wrote at the time of his loss: Soldiers are saddened to learn of the passing of the 2nd Sergeant Major of the Army SMA (Ret.) George W. Dunaway who served as SMA between September 1968 to September 1970. Born July 24, 1922, in Richmond, VA, SMA Dunaway enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard’s 29th Division... Read More

Remembering Sergeant Elvis Aaron Presley

December 3, 2016January 16, 2018 Dan Elder

Sergeant Elvis Aaron Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, served with honor in the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor, 3d Armored Division in Germany as an assistant squad leader. On March 24, 1958, the “King” became Private Presley when he was inducted into the Army at the Memphis Draft Board. He reported to Fort Hood, Texas, and received basic... Read More