Sustainers graduate from battle staff training

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Loos, a maintenance management non-commissioned officer with the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and Rochester N.Y., native, presents Command Sgt. Maj. Willie C. Tennant, 3rd ESC senior enlisted leader, with a plaque for his participation in the Battle Staff Non-commissioned Officer Course graduation Aug 13 at Skidgel Hall. Tennant was the guest speaker for the event, which included the graduation of eleven Soldiers from the 3rd ESC.  

FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, UNITED STATES

08.20.2010

Story by Sgt. Michael Behlin 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

FORT KNOX, Ky. – Eleven members of Fort Knox’s 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) graduated from the Battle Staff Non-commissioned Officer Course Aug. 13 during a ceremony here at Skidgel Hall.

The Sustainers successfully completed the course which prepares selected noncommissioned officers to serve as members of a cohesive battle staff team in personnel, intelligence, operations and logistical positions.

The guest speaker at the ceremony was Command Sgt. Maj. Willie C. Tennant, Sr., the 3d ESC’s senior enlisted leader, who complimented each graduate on their accomplishment.

“You are now a combat multiplier to any military organization from this day forward,” said Tennant, a Pleasantville, New Jersey native. “Today is a great day to be a Soldier and I am proud of each and every one of you.”

During his speech, Tennant thanked unit leadership for making time for the NCOs to attend the course.

Tennant stated that “we are clearly building the bench for current and future NCOs who can work in an environment that is highly demanding and that’s rewarding to both the unit and the Army.”

BSNCOC is the only course offered by the Army to educate NCO staff members on how to operate as part of a battalion or higher staff. The course is an intense, fast paced, performance-oriented program of instruction that concentrates on the battle staff duties and responsibilities of the coordinating and special staff sections, regardless of the NCO’s functional area of assignment.

Throughout the course, students participated in 60 days of individual study, 24 days of video-teletraining during which each student completed 5 examinations and a 3-day command post exercise.

For those Soldiers who graduated, the BSNCOC provided them the skills needed to operate at different staff levels throughout the remainder of their careers.


The graduates acknowledged that the course was tough, but worthwhile in the long-run.

Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Loos, a Rochester, N.Y. native and maintenance management NCO with the 3d ESC said that he is more knowledgeable and aware of how a battalion level or higher staff operates because of BSNCOC.

Loos graduated as BSNCOC 26-10’s sole member of the commandant’s list, recognizing Soldiers who rank in the top 20th percent of the class in academic achievement.

“The battle staff course will allow me to be more efficient as an NCO, and ultimately more of an asset to my command,” said Loos.

• Date Taken: 08.20.2010
• Date Posted: 08.20.2010 15:43
• Story ID: 54927
• Location: FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US