NCO Leadership Center of Excellence

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

On the latest episode of A NCOL for Your Thoughts, MSG Nathan Lenartowicz sits down with U.S. Army Pacific Command Sergeant Major, CSM Jason Schmidt, to discuss the unique challenges of leadership in the Indo-Pacific.

They cover how NCOs can effectively mentor across vast distances, leverage technology for team cohesion, and build critical trust with our allies and partners. CSM Schmidt also shares his perspective on overcoming readiness challenges in preparation for Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) and offers valuable advice for Senior NCOs returning to the force.

Tune in for key insights on deterrence, partnership, and readiness in America's priority theater. Listen now on https://youtu.be/V50kAlYcCug

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Episode 15 NCOL for Your Thoughts Episode 15 of A NCOL for Your Thoughts, MSG Nathan Lenartowicz sits down with USARPAC Command Sergeant Major, CSM Jason Schmidt, to discuss the unique challe...

A new chapter for the "Backbone of the Army"! 📖

On March 6, 2026, the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCoE) will be renamed the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy (USANCOA). 🗓️

This change honors a 50-year legacy of developing enlisted leaders, from its origins as the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy to its current role as a center for excellence. The new name reflects the institution's comprehensive mission: to guide the professional journey of every NCO, from Corporal to Sergeant Major. 🎖️

The USANCOA will continue to forge the agile, adaptive, and trusted leaders the U.S. Army needs to win on any battlefield. 💪

Read more about this evolution here: https://www.army.mil/article/290174

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The Next Evolution: Introducing the U.S. Army NCO Academy, Built on the History of the NCOLCoE FORT BLISS, TX. — For over fifty years, a single institution at Fort Bliss, Texas, has served as the U.S. Army’s forge for its most critical asset: the...

Please join us in extending a huge congratulations to the following individuals on their selection for induction into the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence Hall of Honor:

COL (Ret) James W. Shufelt
COL (Ret) Erik N. Anderson
CSM (Ret) Patrick Z. Alston

These distinguished leaders have left an indelible mark on the Noncommissioned Officer Corps, and we are proud to recognize their immense contributions.

A special shout-out as well to our International Hall of Fame Inductees! We are honored to recognize these outstanding leaders from our partner nations:

CWO Sanjee Singh - Singapore 🇸🇬
WO1 Andrew Boykett - New Zealand 🇳🇿
WO1 Nathan Cole - Australia 🇦🇺
WO1 Kirstin Tanner - Australia 🇦🇺

The official induction ceremony will be held on June 10, 2026. Let's show our support and congratulate them on this incredible achievement!

Check out our past inductees at 🔗 below: https://www.ncolcoe.army.mil/About-Us/Hall-of-Honor/
https://www.ncolcoe.army.mil/About-Us/International-Student-Hall-of-Fame/

Hall of Honor This page contains the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence Hall of Honor

Fort Bliss Teammates,

To align with the City of El Paso, local school districts’ two-hour delay and mitigate risks of expected icing on roads, Fort Bliss will operate on an installation-wide late work call Monday, Jan. 26. Work call for Soldiers and Civilian employees is 1000. Personnel with additional weather impacts should contact their chain of command for further instructions. Additional announcements will be provided as needed.

**School Delays**

SCHOOL DELAYS: Below is the list of school district delays due to the weather for Monday. Click the link in our story for updates as more districts provide announcements. https://bit.ly/3LBIWRX

**Inform**

Excellence in leadership has been recognized! A heartfelt congratulations to three of our finest for being identified on the FY27 CSM/SGM Key Billet Centralized Selection List!

SGM Jeremy Scott, 25Z

SGM Rachel Bullock, 68Z

SGM Melinda Griffin, 68Z

This honor is a testament to years of dedication, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of our Soldiers. We are incredibly proud of this monumental achievement.

**Employment Opportunity**

Our dedicated team is looking for an enthusiastic and energetic facilitator for our after-school program.

STEM/STEAM is a plus!

⚠️ Application deadline is January 28.

✨ Apply here:
School-Age Program Facilitator https://asymca.applytojob.com/apply/jobs/details/AyZSTpcuBa?&

🔥 Revitalizing Enlisted Education: The Key to Winning Tomorrow’s Fight 🔥

By Sgt. Maj. Randall Austin | Sergeants Major Academy

Revitalizing Enlisted Education The country's future military readiness depends not just on skilled warfighting, but on the contnuing education and intellectual preparedness of Soldiers.

🎙️ New Episode Alert! "NCOL for Your Thoughts" Episode 14 is LIVE!

MSG Rivera of the Sergeants Major Academy, Class 76, sits down with Mr. Michael A. Barkin, a Senior Diplomatic Advisor, to unpack the world of "Defense Diplomacy."

Key Highlights from their discussion:

✅ Bridging the Gap: How do you get the Department of War and the Department of State on the same page?

✅ Measuring What Matters: What does "success" look like in military diplomacy, and how is it measured?

✅ Power vs. Provocation: The high-stakes balancing act of projecting strength without escalating tensions in contested regions.

Link:

260112 A QP427 001 In Episode 14 of "NCOL for Your Thoughts," host MSG Rivera of Sergeants Major Academy Class 76 is joined by Mr. Michael A. Barkin, Foreign Policy Advisor of ...

The NCO Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCoE) was honored to welcome Senior Diplomatic Advisor Michael Barkin from the Army University on January 12, 2026, for an official visit to our campus at Fort Bliss, TX.

During his engagement, Mr. Barkin provided a valuable information brief to the scholars of the Sergeants Major Academy, Class 76. He also served as a distinguished guest on the "NCOL for Your Thoughts" podcast, sharing his insights on leadership and global relations. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the NCOLCoE facilities, led by Command Sgt. Maj. Jeaumiqua Harris.

This engagement underscores the critical link between strategic diplomatic perspectives and the professional development of our senior enlisted leaders. We thank Mr. Barkin for sharing his time and expertise with the NCOLCoE community.

Check out the Podcast: https://youtu.be/ER_W2Bsdf2o

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