The Philippine Army held the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Leaders' Forum geared at bolstering NCOs' strategic thinking and leadership insights at the Philippine Army Officers’ Clubhouse, Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila on March 14, 2023.
Colonel Edward R. Evans, U.S. Senior Defense Attaché to the Philippines; Col. Geajaindren Mariapan, Singapore’s Defense Attaché to the Philippines; and Chief Master Sergeant Gabrielle E. Lewis, Coordinator of the U.S. Embassy’s Defense Attaché Office, talked about the relationship and expectations of commanders with their senior enlisted leaders in the U.S. Army and Singapore Army context. Meanwhile, Warrant Officer Class One Desmond McCoy, Australian Embassy Defense Administration Assistant, and Sergeant John Smith of the Joint Australian Army Training Team in the Philippines tackled Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership Insights and Women Empowerment in the Australian Army context. Other key resource persons also discussed the Philippine Army’s comprehensive mental health programs and gender equality thrust.
The Office of the Army Sergeant Major, led by the command sergeant major Chief Master Sergeant Rogelio P. Caacbay, hosted the forum which is part of the series of events to commemorate the Army’s 126th founding anniversary. More than 400 sergeant majors and senior NCOs from Philippine Army Major Units, Divisions, Brigades, and Battalions, as well as chief clerks participated in the forum onsite and via video-teleconferencing.
Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., in his closing remarks, called on NCO leaders to be confident, competent and courageous in the fulfillment of their leadership roles in their respective units and offices. "While we practice humility, let us have that self-confidence," the Army Chief remarked.
Photos by Staff Sergeant Orlando Ballesteros PA/ OACPA