NCO Journal Podcast: Recent Episodes
The NCO Journal
The NCO Journal is a component organization of the Army University Press – the U.S. Army's premier multimedia organization focused on advancing the ideas and insights military professionals need to lead and succeed. The NCO Journal provides timely, relevant and factual information on topics about the Army and the NCO Corps to Army NCOs. The U.S. Army will face many challenges in the future, we encourage all NCOs and Soldiers to write and submit to the journal to share their hard-earned wisdom, experience, stories, and know-how for the good of the NCO Corps.
During this episode of the NCO Journal podcast, we welcome U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Brad J. Lopes, the NCO professional development directorate analyst at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, to discuss the new NCO Strategy.
During this episode of the NCO Journal podcast, we welcome Don Wright, Ph.D., Deputy Director of Army University Press to discuss plagiarism; to include different types, how to avoid it, and its ethical implications.
During this episode of the NCO Journal podcast, U.S. Army Mission Command Center of Excellence SGM Christopher Prosser talks about the significance of understanding Army doctrine for effective leadership & “Mission Command and Small Unit Leadership.”
During this episode of the NCO Journal podcast, we welcome Army University Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa Duncan to speak with us about the importance of writing. Command Sgt. Maj. Duncan goes in depth about career advancements when honing writing skills and quotes a couple of notable philosophers in history.
During this episode of the NCO Journal podcast, we welcome three of the 105 graduates of the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence and U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy who became the first recipients of the newly offered Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development degree, June 21, 2019. This unique degree program is awarded by the U.S. Command and General Staff College to qualified graduates. #USASMA Commandant Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Sellers and Mr. Bill Backscheider join the discussion providing background and insight into this historic event.
In this episode, the NCO Journal participates in a media round table discussion with the Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark T. Esper. Among the topics discussed were talent management, Army Family initiatives, and modernization. The event took place at the Pentagon, April 24, 2019.
In this episode of the NCO Journal Podcast, we continue the discussion about the Army Congressional Fellowship Program (ACFP) with Sgt. Maj. Travis Votaw from the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center. Votaw, authored "The NCO as Congressional Fellow" for the NCO Journal in January.
In this episode of the NCO Journal Podcast, we discuss the implementation of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) with Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Mitchell from the Center for Initial Military Training. The ACFT is scheduled to become the new fitness test of record in October 2020.
In this episode of the NCO Journal Podcast, recent Master Leader Course (MLC) graduate, Sgt. 1st Class Thomas (TJ) Trent, discusses his experience while attending the course. He also provides advice on how to succeed.
In this episode of the NCO Journal Podcast, we speak with Command Sgt. Maj. Jeremiah E. Inman U.S. Army Africa senior enlisted leader about enhancing military educational programs in Africa based on each nation’s wants, resource sustainability, and noncommissioned officer developmental needs as they pertain to the region.
In this episode of the NCO Journal Podcast we speak with Mr. Tom Kelly, Education Services Officer, Fort Leavenworth, KS, about civilian education. Some of the topics included in this podcast are how to select the right school for you, paying for college and CLEP tests. Click here to read the article.
Sgt. Maj. Victor C. Carambot and Master Sgt. Shane R. Payne join the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss their experiences with the care of Soldiers and how you can foster an environment of understanding and trust to carry forward a legacy of exceptional leadership in the Army.
Special guests CSM Jason Duncan and SFC Marcel Blood join the NCOJ Podcast to discuss how the war in Ukraine allows our NCOs the opportunity to analyze challenges faced by Ukrainian, military and their attempts to adapt and overcome in combat.
CSM Alex Kupratty, 4th ID and Fort Carson senior enlisted leader joins the NCO Journal podcast to discuss his article based on a new program he designed to bring Soldiers in to talk about their professional issues and creative ways to solve them.
SFC Jeremy Wally joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss how his unit adapted to teleworking and what leaders need to incorporate to have a successful team in complicated situations.
Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Kohunsky, senior enlisted advisor for Combined Arms Center - Training sits down with the NCO Journal to discuss the Army's new Digital Job Book and Small Unit Leader Tool. These new tools are revolutionizing the way leaders prepare Soldiers for the promotion board, and are required.
1st. Sgt. Robert Leonard joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss how the NCO Creed has the answers leaders need, to help recruit and retain good Soldiers in the Army.
CSM Marisa Saucedo joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss her article, "Female Senior NCO Presence in the Army," and her deeper opinions on the subject as they relate to females in the Army, recruiting efforts, and many challenges females potentially face in the Army. With special guest CSM Tammy Everette, the commandant of NCOLCOE and the Sergeants Major Academy.
Sgt. Maj. David Cyr joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss the importance of reading and writing so we may learn from past leaders who paved the way before us and share our lessons learned. Based on his article, "Regaining Relevance Through Effective Writing."
Ret. Sgt. Maj. Wascar Diaz, Sergeants' Major Academy instructor joins the NCO Journal to talk about a topic rarely discussed, the effect moving has on Soldiers and their families when transitioning between duty stations. Based on his recent creative article, "Rearview Mirror."
1st. Sgt. Wolfgang McLachlan joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss why a college education is "More Than Promotion Points," based on his recent article.
Col. Todd Schmidt joins the NCOJ Podcast to discuss why leaders should offer new perspectives and ideas to modernize training and Soldier development, based on his recent article, "Why You Should Reinvent the Wheel."
NCO Journal Managing Editor Chago Zapata joins the podcast, as a guest, to discuss his new article, "The Drone Patrol." This is the first submission for the NCO Journal's new "Creative Domain" section, allowing NCOs to express their ideas and stories based on real events, books, video games, tv, and movies.
WO1 Cheng Qiao Feng, a leader in the Singaporean Army chats with the NCO Journal staff about his article, “Needs-Based Approach to Holistic Health and Fitness,” on the NCO Journal Podcast.
Retired CSM Richard B. Adams Jr. chats with the NCO Journal staff about his article, “Shaping an NCO's Career Through Mission Command” on the NCO Journal Podcast.
Sgt. Maj Nicholas Beauchamp and Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Manuel Atencio, instructors at the Sergeants Major Academy join the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss the importance of counseling and the difference it can make for Soldiers at all levels.
Sgt. Maj. Joseph W. Frost joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss how "liked" leaders can increase their influence, trust, and positivity with their Soldiers.
MSG Anthony Burroughs joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss his article, "What if Soldiers Acted Their "Wage?" and how "quiet quitting" fails the Army's mission.
Master Sgt. Jason G. Pickett and Sgt. Maj. Lisa Walker join the podcast to discuss his article, "The ACFT: Soldiers over Scores." The article discusses the idea that physical fitness scores should not be overemphasized when selecting senior leadership positions and promotions.
The NCO Journal Team sit down with Master Sgt. Robert Mb. Flak to discuss his personal reflections and dealings with toxic leadership and how the U.S. Army can improve it's education to combat it. Based on his article, "Breaking the Cycle: Eradicating Toxic Leadership."
CSM David Vowell shares "Ten Things" he wished he knew as a young SGT on the NCO Journal Podcast.
CSM Curry & SGT Colson discuss their article, "Project Maximo: Empowering NCOs through Health, Family and Selfcare" with the NCO Journal staff. Project Maximo is a four-week program that helps senior NCOs prioritize their health. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual 'tune-up' for senior NCOs that helps them maintain warfighting readiness.
Sgt. Michael L. Sobey has a candid conversation with the NCO Journal staff, speaking about personal challenges and delving into issues associated with behavioral health. He recommends the U.S. Army institute a behavioral health golden hour mirroring physical response guidelines but for mental health, train and equip Soldiers with the knowledge and skills needed to address behavioral health issues, and restructure the behavioral health system to serve today’s Soldiers better.
The NCO Journal Team discuss how resiliency and using the different servant leadership traits can enhance Soldiers at the team and individual level with author, Sgt. Maj. Angela Guigni.
Sgt. Maj. Ed Fayette and the staff of the NCO Journal to discuss his article, "Cultural Awareness as a Weapon." By training Soldiers and their organizations for specific operational environments before arrival, the U.S. Army sends better prepared Soldiers to interact with foreign populations, argues Fayette.
Sgt. Maj. Timothy Haar and the staff of the NCO Journal discuss "Coin: Don't Trade Blood for Knowledge." As the U.S. Army focuses on LSCO with near-peer threats, NCO-led COIN operations remain a vital part of the overall mission set. The Army must be prepared or it may find itself once again trading blood for knowledge.
Sgt. Maj. Jacob Kirk joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss his article, "Irregular and Hybrid Warfare." As U.S. military power has grown, our adversaries have developed a blueprint to defeat that power. Listen as we take a deep dive into what types of training our NCOs should be providing to combat these strategies.
The NCO Journal Team discuss "Future Weapons Technology of 2040," an article written by Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Hartzell on the necessary advances of Artificial Intelligence and Automation in weapons for the U.S. Army.
Sgt. Maj. Phillip Fenrick joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss his ideas to change the current process to identify and select instructors in his recent article, "Enlisted Army Education: Legit or Just Another Euphemism?"
1SG Soraya Bacchus joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss her ideas on reshaping the Army's current Transition Assistance Program.
CSM Shawn Carns, the I Corps senior enlisted leader joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss the essential traits and abilities to be an effective and respected leader in his new article, "Be Yourself."
SGM David Vowell joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss his new article, "What is the Purpose of Use or Lose Leave?"
Sgt. Brandon Burnett and Master Sgt. James Carmichael join the NCOJ Podcast to discuss their philosophies on leadership based on Sgt. Burnett's article, "The Importance of Empowering your Subordinates."
Col. Glenn A. Henke and special guest Sgt. Maj. Lawrence W. McKnight Jr. from the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command take a deep dive into Henke's article "Want to Avoid a FLIPL? Focus on Supply Discipline" with NCO Journal staff.
Dr. Richard McConnell and special guest Jacob Mong from CGSC take a deep dive into Creativity: The "Backbone" of Initiative with NCO Journal staff.
CSM Robert Theus joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss Drill Sergeant Misconduct for his new article with special guest CSM Rickey Jackson, the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Academy Commandant to discuss issues and solutions.
Staff Sgt. Nicholas DiMichele joins the podcast to discuss his new article, "Developing Strategically-Minded Enlisted Leaders," with the NCO Journal team Mar. 22, 2023.
In this podcast we discuss the article “Choosing Hardship Today for an Easier Tomorrow,” written by MSG Larry A. Milner Jr. The NCO Journal team is joined by Benjamin Smith, a lead strength and conditioning coach at the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, to discuss the physical effects of exercise and how they translate into resilience.
In this podcast, the NCO Journal team have a roundtable discussion about Multi-domain operations and what NCOs should be doing to prepare for the future fight.
Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Arnold joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss alcohol’s adverse effects on unit readiness and discipline, and how leaders can curb alcohol glamorization in his new article, Alcohol and the Army: A Toxic Relationship. Also joined by special guests, CSM Justin Shad and CSM Jason Porras as they tell their stories of coming to grips with alcoholism and getting help.
SGM Jason Abitua joins the NCO Journal team to discuss combining professional military education for officers and NCOs at all levels to enhance productivity in future command teams.
Combining professional military education for officers and NCOs at all levels will enhance productivity in future command teams, argues SGM Jason Abitua in his new article titled, "Building Command Relationships through PME."
Staff Sgt. Brandon Cox and former team members join the NCO Journal podcast to talk about his recent article, "The Shop," an article focused on Army Team Building and lessons learned.
Sgt. Maj. Charles Wilson joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss how the U.S. Army can prepare and succeed in multidomain operations.
The NCO Journal team and special guest Roy Parker, a WWII expert and historian for the Army University Press films team talk about a famous demolitions squad from the 506th PIR during World War II, and how they relate to current mission command principles.
Sgt. Maj. Craig A. Collins sits down with the NCO Journal Team to discuss Project Athena, coaching, and the Common Individual Development Plan. This type of coaching focuses on creating an IDP that helps Soldiers accomplish short- and long-term goals.
Capt. Andrew Bibb maintains four elements are indispensable in "The C.U.R.E. for Distrust" - communication, understanding, respect, and expertise. When woven into an organization’s culture, they produce the kind of trust necessary for aggressive, adaptable, and lethal action on the battlefield. Listen to the conversation in the latest NCO Journal podcast.
Master Sgt. Andre Coln and Command Sgt. Maj. Bill Woods join the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss command authority, and what junior and senior enlisted personnel need to know to be successful.
In our newest podcast, Master Sgt. Dustin Denney, the NCO Journal staff, and a historian examine mission command principles, the elements of command and control, and the warfighting functions used at the Battle of 73 Easting as they relate to the NCO Corps.
Dr. Larry Golba joins the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss his recent article, "Transition from Soldier to Leader." Dr. Golba is a Research Psychologist for the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences.
Col. Todd A. Schmidt and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason C. Porras join the NCO Journal Podcast to discuss the importance of Army rehearsals and how they effect the NCO Corps.
The NCO Journal team holds a discussion on the interconnection between Army Leadership and "love," based on the recent article from Sgt. Maj. Anson C. Jordan, an assistant professor at the Sergeants Major Residence Course at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Army doctors stress that NCOs must prepare for the consequences of training in hot, humid environments and recommend best practices developed by the 101st AD to allow for continued combat training during the summer months.
Tune in to our newest Podcast episode, "Adapting to the Pandemic: Community of Inquiry and the SGM-A" featuring Sgt. Maj. Julio Cesar Armas, where we discuss his challenges and discoveries during the pandemic.
Listen to our latest Podcast Episode "Build a Ladder of Discipline One Rung at a Time" featuring Sgt. Maj. Dennis Cronin where we discuss his five-step ladder of discipline.
Maj. L. Burton Brender joins with the NCO Journal Team to discuss his recent article, "Don't STU," written as a response to the wildly popular article published by the NCO Journal titled, "The Understated Art of Knowing When to STU." Featuring special guest, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Arnold.
Sgt. Maj. David C. Cox joins the NCO Journal team to discuss his recent article, "PTSD and the Student Veteran: Is Distance Learning the Answer?."
Sgt. Maj. Robert Nelson and Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Arnold join the NCO Journal Podcast to talk about their popular new article, "The Understated Art of Knowing When to ST*U."
Mr. Travis Maruska, an associate professor of writing and media studies at the Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA, discusses his new article "We Were Ghosts: A Vietnam Story," with the NCO Journal team on May. 18, 2022. This is a story about the harrowing tales and real experiences of a Special Forces Veteran during the Vietnam War.
Master Sgt. Phillip Fenrick joins the NCO Journal to discuss his recently published article, "Operation Barbarossa: A Lesson in Hubris and Strategy."
"The war in Vietnam challenged Army commanders for over a decade, and the Battle of Ia Drang Valley provides a critical case study to understand the relationship between mission command, mission success, and force preservation," argues Master Sgt. Jason E. Crawford as he joins the NCO Journal for a podcast to discuss his new article, "Mission Command in the Ia Drang Valley."
Sgt. Maj. Roger Rendon, Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Jones, and Lt. Col. Joel Gleason join the NCO Journal to discuss their recently published article, "The Role of the Sending Unit."
"By changing and increasing the NCO Corps’ scope of responsibility and tapping into enlisted talent, the U.S. efficiently advances national defense and gains a competitive advantage against any adversary," argues U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bonnie Rushing, in her new article, "Competitive Advantage: Increased Responsibility of Noncommissioned Officers."
Sgt. Maj. Robert Nelson and Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Arnold join us to discuss their recently authored NCO Journal article, titled "Fixing the System: How Leaders can Prevent Complex Problems." Topics discussed include employing Carnegie's "six principles of improvement" to identify root causes of problems at the systemic level to build a better team and prevent Army leaders from attributing negative character traits to individual Soldiers, rather than the system or circumstances that led to the mistake.
Sgt. Maj. Clayton Dos Santos, and retired Sgt. Maj. James Perdue join us to discuss their recent NCO Journal article “Battle of Mogadishu”. Mission Command was the topic of discussion with Perdue, who was present during the Battle. Special guest appearance by Dr. Randy Masten, Army University Press Films Team Chief.
We talk with our own SSG Jarred Woods, senior editor with the NCO Journal, about his article "Serving with ADHD" where he aims to dispel misconceptions and offer insights for NCOs who lead easily distracted Soldiers and their professional development.
Sgt. Maj. Billy J. Atkinson, retired Sgt. Maj. David L. Stewart, and Sgt. Maj. Victor Velasco join us to discuss their recent NCO Journal article "Building a Culture of Growth. Topics discussed include developing Soldiers, building trust within an unit/organization, and emotional intelligence.
Sgt. Maj. Alexander Aguilastratt, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command liaison to Headquarters, Department of the Army, joins us to discuss his article series, "The Information Domain and Social Media." Topics discussed include adversarial use of social media to spread disinformation/misinformation and how to safely navigate and operate within the information domain.
Sgt. Maj. Craig Collins, sergeant major for the Department of Curriculum Development at the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence, joins us to discuss his recent article "Project Athena in Action." Among the topics discussed are what Project Athena is, and how it can develop more self-aware leaders.
In this episode of the NCO Journal Podcast we speak with Undersecretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey about Army modernization.
In this episode of the NCO Journal Podcast we speak with Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Mitchell from the Center for Initial Military Training about the changes occurring at both Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training.