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Year of the Nonncommissioned Officer
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Dan Elder [ListMaster]
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Jan 06, 2009 04:25 PST
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2009: The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer
What is it?
In October 2008, Secretary of the Army Pete Geren announced that 2009
would be designated as "the Year of the Noncommissioned Officer."
In noting his gratitude and support for noncommissioned officers (NCO),
Secretary Geren remarked that NCOs have provided invaluable service and
continually proven their dedication and willingness to sacrifice. With
our nation at war for seven years in Afghanistan and then Iraq, and the
security environment more ambiguous than ever, our military is stretched
thin and out of balance. We have a plan to restore balance by 2011 and
to set the conditions for the future-- the NCO Corps is the key enabler
to attain those objectives. The Year of the NCO is a time to enhance the
education, fitness, leadership and pride in service of our NCOs through
programs that sustain and grow our NCO Corps, to recognize their
leadership, commitment and courage, and to inform key audiences about
the responsibilities and quality of service of our NCOs.
How important is this to the Army?
Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and the Chief of Staff Gen. George W.
Casey believe that strategically, it is critical for the Army to
continue its investment in NCOs and their families. In 2009, the Army
will demonstrate its commitment to enhance and accelerate the growth of
our NCOs through initiatives that emphasize the need for improved
education, fitness, leadership and pride in service programs. Honoring
the service of NCOs to the nation enables the Army to showcase its NCO’s
as a national asset, educating members of Congress and the American
public about the roles and responsibilities of today’s NCOs.
What is the Army doing?
Support for Year of the NCO is oriented on three major axes:
• Enhance: Enhance NCOs’ education, fitness, leadership development, and
pride in service through implementation of programs and policies that
sustain and grow our NCO Corps.
• Recognize: Recognize the leadership, professionalism, commitment,
courage and dedication of the NCO Corps.
• Inform: Inform and educate the American people, Congress, and
government institutions of the roles, responsibilities and the quality
service of our NCO Corps.
Nationally, the Army will focus on four distinct strategies: increase
national level awareness/recognition of NCOs, tell the story through
distinguished NCO alumni, conduct a campaign launch event, and engage
blogs and other social networks. Regional/MACOM and installation-level
programs will follow a similar strategy, but tailor it to their specific
organization, mission and audience.
Important Web Links:
Defenselink: Army secretary announces 2009 will be ‘Year of NCO’ :
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51407
ARNEWS: Chief says NCO corps glue holding Army together :
http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/10/08/13141-chief-says-nco-corps-glue-holding-army-together/
NCO History
http://ncohistory.com
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