Post NCOs talk professional development

By Sgt. Nathaniel Foster, 214th Fires BrigadeSeptember 12, 2013

Professional development
Guest speakers Sgt. Maj. Dan Moriarty, the chief career management NCO, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Morrisey, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill CSM, discuss the way ahead for the field artillery branch. The two senior NCOs also stressed the c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. -- Noncommissioned officers from the 214th Fires Brigade gathered at Grierson Hill Chapel here, Aug. 22 for an NCO professional development session.

Guest speakers Sgt. Maj. Dan Moriarty, the chief career management NCO, and Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Morrisey, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill CSM, discussed the way ahead for the field artillery branch. The two senior NCOs also stressed the continuing need to develop agile and adaptive leaders.

The presentation also helped Soldiers keep informed on pending changes because of Army downsizing.

"NCOPD informs NCOs on the same level of current and relevant knowledge regardless of rank, which is required to successfully lead Soldiers in today's Army," said Richard Wiggins, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 168th Brigade Support Battalion ammunition inspector.

Moriarty reviewed topics dealing with the state of field artillery and career progression within the NCO ranks, useful also for the NCOs in attendance who do not hold artillery military occupation specialties.

"I felt that career progression was the most important topic to me because the future of the field artillery and the Redleg NCO Corps is especially important," said Sgt. 1st Class Justin Houser, 214th FiB operations tasking NCO. "There is a lot of misleading information out there, and Sergeant Major Moriarty clarified that and the reality of the changes that are coming about."

The NCOs shared how to develop Soldiers through realistic training, strict adherence to standards, professional military education and service in the most demanding positions in field artillery and across the Army.

"The topics discussed with Sergeant Major Moriarty helped empower me to seek out my current regimental sergeant major to get the information I would need to progress in my career," Wiggins said. "Regardless of MOS , the changes happening in the Army affect everyone in some form or fashion."

Following the talk on career progression was a discussion of females joining the MOS. Women have worked with men in field artillery before, serving in supply, mechanic and communication roles, but this is the first time they are getting their boots literally inside the doors of the Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Six combat support specialties opened to women including three for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System units. The MOSs are: 13M MLRS Crewmember; 13P MLRS Operations Fire Detection Specialist; and 13R Field Artillery Fire Finder Radar Operator Specialist.

"It is a great move integrating females into the field artillery ranks. It opens up options for them, can make them stronger and they can be role models not only for their gender, but also for their family," said Sgt. 1st Class Nicolas Raso.

The presentation ended with a brief regarding Special Forces recruiting. The presenters showed the NCOs the benefits of being a Special Forces Soldier and answered questions.