USAG Humphreys, Republic of Korea –
Senior noncommissioned with U.S. Forces Korea and Combined Forces Command held a Senior Leader Forum for junior NCOs officers at the Korea Combat Training Center, Republic of Korea, September 13, 2021.
Newly promoted ROK Hasa (staff sergeants) had the opportunity to ask U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps command sergeants major and sergeants major about their professional and personal experiences as service members.
The KCTC provides ROK Army and Marine units with training areas and simulations similar to the U.S. National Training Center and the Joint Readiness Training Center.
Its two-floor auditorium lit up with raised hands every time the opportunity to ask the seniors a question arose. Juniors asked about night missions, tactical combat casualty care, response to chemical attacks, and communication with a commander. A diverse group of senior NCOs with different military backgrounds held the line, answering questions for over four hours. Infantry, intelligence, logistics, medical, explosive ordnance disposal; any military topic was open for discussion.
Communication and trust between NCOs and their Soldiers are core values that ROK and U.S. NCOs share.
ROK Command Sgt. Maj. Won-man Choi
“The purpose is to keep developing the relationship in the ROK-US Alliance and share our combat experiences with the ROK Soldiers and Marines to improve their training,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Tagalicud, USFK Senior Enlisted Advisor. “But ultimately, it is to develop trust between our senior enlisted leaders.”
“Junior ROK NCOs can elevate their leadership capabilities by indirectly experiencing combat situations, receiving guidance on how to lead Soldiers, and recognizing their needs in the battlefield,” said ROK Command Sgt. Maj. Won-man Choi, KCTC Senior Enlisted Advisor.
USFK and CFC leaders are eager to turn this kind of professional development forum into a continuous event over the following months.
“Communication and trust between NCOs and their Soldiers are core values that ROK and U.S. NCOs share,” said Choi. “It is critical that junior NCOs acknowledge their commanders’ intent, the purpose behind the operation, and trust their leaders.”
"This is the backbone of the alliance. Whether you are a junior or a senior NCO, you are expected to be competent and have character. If we have to fight tonight, we have to do it as a combined force to win.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Tagalicud