Fort Bliss, TX –
The Noncommissioned Officer Education System began in 1971. Since then, there have been numerous changes to the model and delivery, but the foundation remains the same – to prepare the next generation of competent and capable NCOs.
The NCO Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCoE) plays a vital role in this mission by transforming Army doctrine into structured, practical lesson plans. James Gregg, a training specialist at NCOLCoE’s Division of Curriculum Development, explained that adapting strategic doctrine to a classroom-ready format requires careful planning to meet learning objectives. “We use the ADDIE model—Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate—to ensure the lesson plans reflect doctrinal accuracy while addressing student needs,” Gregg said.
The educational journey begins with the Basic Leader Course (BLC), where Soldiers develop critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. Staff Sgt. Jon-Alan Machado-Carlton, a small group leader at the Fort Bliss Noncommissioned Officer Academy, emphasizes breaking down doctrine so students understand its practical application. “Every case study we examine is a real situation,” Machado-Carlton said. “Soldiers are able to relate and share their stories, which helps solidify doctrinal concepts.” Spc. Alondra Herrera, a current student of the BLC on Fort Bliss, Texas, said the course reshaped her view of doctrine. “I used to think doctrine varied by unit and duty station. Now I realize we are all educated with the same purpose of upholding standards and leading others.”
As NCOs progress, they move into the Advanced Leader Course and Senior Leader Course. While these do not fall directly under NCOLCoE, they follow the NCO Common Core Competencies framework developed by the center. Each level builds on the last, honing foundational skills while expanding students’ ability to solve complex problems, manage resources and lead teams.
The Master Leader Course (MLC) transitions NCOs into operational-level leadership. Students learn to analyze policy, build strategy and lead beyond the tactical environment. Master Sgt. Nicholas Duncan, an MLC facilitator, views practical exercises as essential. “We could sit and read over doctrine, but unless we put that knowledge into action, students struggle to make the connection,” said Duncan. Practical exercises help reinforce doctrinal understanding. Master Sgt. Roberta Adams, a recent MLC graduate, reflects how the course pushed her to see leadership through a broader lens. Adams explains, “We were able to get the perspective of Soldiers in different career positions and career fields, which made me realize how decisions at my level now involve more variables and have consequences far beyond what I was accustomed to.”
At the highest level of enlisted education, the Sergeants Major Academy (SGM-A) prepares senior NCOs for strategic leadership. The academy’s curriculum goes beyond doctrinal instruction, prompting students to reflect deeply on their leadership philosophies, personal growth and the responsibilities they will assume at the highest levels of influence. Master Sgt. Christopher Van Roo, a current student of Class 75, said the course encouraged him to reflect deeply on who he is as a leader. “It really made me think about my leadership style, my philosophy and who I want to be, not just as a leader, but as a person and a Soldier,” Van Roo said. Sgt. Maj. Kymberly Blanco, an instructor at the SGM-A, explained the purpose of the academy is not to teach leadership from scratch, but to sharpen it. “We are not teaching them how to be leaders. they are already in the top one percent of their field,” Blanco said. “We give them the tools to succeed at the next level. Leadership is as much about adaptability, resilience and real-world decision-making as it is about following doctrine.”
From day zero at the BLC to graduating from the SGM-A, NCO professional military education (PME) reflects a deliberate and structured approach to developing agile, thoughtful leaders. Doctrine is not simply memorized. It is examined, applied and internalized across every level of PME. Through expertly developed lesson plans, interactive instruction and leadership-focused reflection, NCOLCoE and its partners ensure that the Army’s NCOs are prepared to lead in today’s complex operational environment and ready to shape the force for the challenges of tomorrow.