The Future NCO’s of the New York Guard Go Through Leadership Course

Each year during Annual Training the New York Guard holds a Professional Leadership Course (PLC) for those troops in the Guard seeking to be promoted to E5 – Sergeant. This weeklong training took the candidates through a wealth of classes, field instruction, field exercises, as well as testing.

The troops first received a briefing from The Command Sargeant Major (CSM) of the New York Guard, CSM Chad Smith. He went over what is expected of Non-Commissioned Officers and how important this position is in the military.

The troops then spent some of their classroom instruction going over important New York Guard  missions such as the Emergency Radio Network. They went over the New York Guard mission of the Military Emergency Radio Network (MERN) with a classroom instruction on how the system functions and its uses.

The Troops then headed out to the field to develop their Drill & Ceremony skills. Afterwards the troops focused on team building exercises. Here is a wealth of pictures and videos from the troops week-long training event:

We at StateDefenseForce.com would also like to highlight the incredible leadership and job the New York Guard Public Affairs Office is performing as they cover this week-long event.

NCO Training at Its Best.

New York Guard Service members in the rank of Specialist and Corporal participate in the weeklong Professional Leadership Course (PLC), during New York Guard annual training, at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortland Manor, NY, on Aug 15th, 2022. To get promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the New York Guard, it is a requirement to attend the training for them to move to the positions of a Non- Commissioned Officer (NCO).

Photos by SFC Tracey Mike – New York Guard Public Affairs Office

New York Guard Command Sargeant Major Chad Smith gives a lecture to future Non Commissioned Officer’s at Camp Smith Training Site on August 16 2022. The New York Guard is the State Volunteer Defense Force that Supports the New York Army National and Air Guard. Photos by SFC Tracy Mike – New York Guard Public Affairs Office

SSG Carlos Ocasio teaching a communications class to the Primary Leaders Course at Camp Smith on August 17th 2022.

Professional Leaders Course practice drill and ceremony on August 17th, 2022, at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortland Manor, NY, before classroom instruction. Soldiers are one day closer to entering the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Corps.

New York Guard service members assigned to the Primary Leadership Course (PLC), worked together completing the team building course at Camp Smith training site on August 18th 2022.

The goal of the team building course is to use only the supplies that have been provided in order to move from point A to point B, and work as a team to complete the task.

Throughout their training week, the PLC class marches in formation to and from all locations:

Source: New York Guard