Battle Command Knowledge System - Non-commissioned Officers Professional Forum

Non-commissioned Officers Professional Forum

NCO Net is one of the BCKS professional forums (PFs) and a fundamental component of BCKS Leadership and Leader Development Knowledge Network. It is a place where all non-commissioned officers (NCOs) can share their thoughts, ideas and, most of all, their knowledge and experience. NCOs engage in ongoing professional conversations about improving leadership skills, sharing Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs), assisting in the Non-Commissioned Officers Education System (NCOES), and reducing the learning curve in the Army's high-pace environment. Members, organizations, and agencies are using NCO Net as a connecting layer to collaborate and share knowledge and their expertise with others in their profession around the globe in real time.

NCO Net maintains the most current knowledge deemed important to our NCOs by our NCOs. It links NCOs with experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and those that are preparing for deployment. This transfer of knowledge builds combat-ready teams, improves Army units, raises the effectiveness of NCOs in their current and future positions, and advances the Army collaboration process. When the knowledge is not available on a particular topic, members simply post a question in the appropriate discussion area to engage their colleagues and start the knowledge sharing process. This exchange of knowledge flows between the highest-ranking officers to the lowest ranking NCOs across the operating and generating force in the total active, Reserve, and National Guard Army.

NCO Net uses the digital story (i.e.; Trouble at Checkpoint 4) philosophy that everyone is a teacher and learner. As members view this digital story and provide input, Soldiers and leaders contribute their perspective of training requirements and teachable points of view to improve NCO leadership, Soldier, and civilian relationships. This digital story is a change in the type of training aids provided for Soldiers and their leaders. It stimulates dialogue, debate, and self awareness.

In response to the highly dynamic and interactive vignette, “Trouble at Checkpoint 4,” NCOs of all ranks shared their insights and recommendations confronting the young NCO (SGT Ash) in the avatar based video. This vignette prompted over 6,000 hits from 6 continents in the first 48 hours and generated 300 substantive comments received from Sergeants to Sergeants Major located in four continents. NCOs identified:

1. 1. training and leadership shortcomings exhibited by SGT Ash
   2. violation of sound tactical doctrine at the Traffic Control Post (TCP)
   3. the importance of cultural awareness in dealing with Iraqis.

Junior NCOs made most of these recommendations, demonstrating the maturity and professionalism of the Army’s NCO Corps.