US Army Sergeants Major Academy: Annual Command History

The Army transformation effort provided the dominant theme for the Sergeants Major Academy in 2008. The academy sought to continue transformation in the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, through the increased use of distance learning, and in the enhancement of USASMAs classrooms. In addition, reorganization of the operating structure proved critical to the academys transformation efforts. Serving as the Armys premier institution for noncommissioned officer education, USASMA adopted policies and instituted initiatives to transform the Noncommissioned Officer Education System into the Warrior University. This ongoing process sought to create a four-tiered, progressive and sequential system that will allow NCOs to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform at optimum level at each stage of their careers. In the future, the NCO Education System will consist of the Warrior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course and Sergeants Major Course. These courses were linked to promotions and will require the NCO to attend school for 14 months within a 20 year career.