Soldiers can learn about new development and education initiatives during the fourth State of NCO Development Town Hall hosted by Army Training and Doctrine Command.
The virtual town hall, the final installment in the State of NCO Development Town Hall series, will be live streamed on Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern time, according to a TRADOC news release.
The goal is to inform soldiers on new initiatives but also to encourage feedback and questions from troops. Soldiers and noncommissioned officers can ask questions by logging in to the town hall chat room at www.tradoc.army.mil/watch. They can also follow along on TRADOC's Facebook page and on Twitter, @TRADOC using #TRADOCtownhall.
The live event will focus on the third part of the NCO 2020 Strategy: Stewardship of the Profession. This includes the NCO's role, career broadening opportunities, talent management and communication skills.
Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, TRADOC's top enlisted soldier, said he will also discuss the planned Expert Action Badge and the new Occupational Physical Assessment Test.
Thursday's town hall will consist of three 35- to 40-minute sessions. The first one will discuss the OPAT, the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, and character development. The second will include talent management and strategies to improve written and oral professional military education. The third will talk about the NCO's role in the Army.
During each session, Davenport and the other leaders involved in the town hall will take soldiers' questions and answer them live, he said.
"Part of my leadership ... is I enjoy talking to soldiers," Davenport said during a media conference call on Friday. "Not talking at them, but talking with them."
The town halls and chat logs are archived on Davenport's blog.
Charlsy Panzino covers the Guard and Reserve, training, technology, operations and features for Army Times and Air Force Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
