Practical Initiatives
               Structure and Curriculum of NCO Education
        •   Model of NCO Educational System
               Pillars of NCO Development:
                   −   Training – technical and tactical skills
                   −   Professional Military Education – knowledge and intellectual skills for the 
                       assigned position
                   −    Experience – broad base of experience gained at the unit, on operation, or 
                       in staff positions
                   −   Self-Development – Self-initiated, professionally or personally oriented 
                       learning which can include civilian education
               NCO Professional Military Education Structure:
                   −   Level 0 -- Recruit Basic Training
                   −   Level 1 – Team Leader
                   −   Level 2 – Squad Leader
                   −   Level 3 – Platoon Sergeant
                   −   Level 4 – Company First Sergeant
                   −   Level 5 – Battalion and above Command Sergeant Major
                                         Practical Initiatives
                  Structure and Curriculum of NCO Education
       “Curriculum Topics”
       •    Technical and Tactical Skills                •   Military Knowledge
             −   Common Soldier Skills                        −    Military Law
             −   Drill and Ceremonies                         −    Rules of Engagement
             −   Physical Fitness                             −    Values and Ethics
             −   Land Navigation                              −    Human Rights
             −   Communications                               −    Cultural and Diversity Awareness
             −   Weapons                                      −    Institutional Learning
                                                              −    Military History
       •    Leadership
             −   Leadership Principles                   •   Job Specific Skills
             −   Operations                                   −    Varies with each branch and 
             −   Planning                                          occupation
             −   Resource Management
             −                                           •   Introduction to the Joint Environment
                 Risk Analysis                                −    Joint / Combined Operations
             −   Training                                     −
             −   Instructional Techniques                          Crisis Response
             −                                                −    Interagency Operations
                 Phycology
                  Practical Initiatives
                 Online NCO Education
     “Educational Options”
     • Analyze all material that is to be addressed to determine:
       − Is it suitable for Online Education?
       − Does it require Resident Education?
     • Create a Hybrid System with a satisfactory balance between the two methods.
        − Optimize use of time.
        − Maximize savings.
        − Ensure training is effective.
        − Comply with COVID restrictions.
     • Employ improved technology and enhanced techniques creatively.
       − Use of simulators
       − Adapt physical educational content to digital platforms
       − Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality
                                     Practical Initiatives
                                 Online NCO Education
        “Limitations and Challenges to Online Education”
        •    Infrastructure and other digital media must be strengthened: “User Friendly”
        •    Accessibility and connectivity are lacking.
        •    Instructors and students may not be up to date with latest technology. 
        •    Language and Translation issues.
        •    Network Security is a challenge – “Threat of Hacking”
        •    Students’ attention span.
        •    Interaction and competition is not fostered among students.
        •    Time is limited – online education adds to work load, but no additional time 
             allotted to fulfill requirements.
        •    Investment in technology and course development is required
        •    Cheating and plagiarism may be hard to prevent.
                                 Practical Initiatives
                              Online NCO Education
        “Advantages to Online Education”
        •   May reach a larger and broader audience. 
        •   May reduce costs -- transportation, accommodation, rations
        •   Students may conduct education in a self-paced manner.
        •   Younger generations are technology masters and excel in this 
            environment – technology is part of their culture.
        •   Future technology such as Artificial Intelligence and Augmented 
            Reality may improve online education. 
        •   Skills acquired through use of Virtual means may transfer to use of 
            other technical equipment – communications, radar, weapon systems.