P-385-63 US Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Guide Download
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DA PAM 600–25 • 11 December 2018 15 while reinforcing how to conduct performance-oriented training in accordance with the Army’s most current doctrine. The course enhances battle competent NCOs who are qualified squad or section SGTs, team or section leaders, evaluators, counselors, and participants in individual and collective training, while reinforcing the importance of coaching and men- toring Army values, attributes, skills, and actions. Soldiers are automatically enrolled in SSD/DLC 2 upon completing the BLC and promotion to SGT. Completion of SSD/DLC 2 is an eligibility requirement for board recommendation to SSG and a prerequisite for attendance to the Advanced Leaders Course. (c) SSD/DLC 3 focuses on tasks at the platoon level and prepares ALC graduates (SGT–SSG) for the SLC. Soldiers are automatically enrolled in SSD/DLC 3 after they have completed ALC and promotion to SSG. Completion of SSD/DLC 3 is an eligibility requirement for consideration by the SFC Board and a prerequisite for attendance to the Senior Leaders Course. (d) SSD/DLC 4 focuses on tasks at the battalion (BN) level and prepares SLC graduates (SFC–MSG/1SG) for attend- ance at the MLC. Soldiers are automatically enrolled in SSD/DLC 4 after they have graduated SLC. Completion of SSD/DLC 4 is an eligibility requirement for consideration by the MSG Board and a prerequisite for attendance to the Sergeants Major Academy. (e) SSD/DLC 5 focuses on nominative and joint staff level tasks and prepares sergeants major for the strategic levels of Army leadership. SSD/DLC 5 is a prerequisite for nominative and joint assignments. (2) Guided self-development. GSD is a defined set of recommended, optional content and topics as set forth by a pro- ponent. They are progressively sequenced across the career, influencing and encouraging the continuous growth of the individual, but not specifically linked to the other two learning domains. The GSD, while encouraged, is not required for continued advancement. The GSD focuses on a recommended set of common individual development goals that challenge the individual to continue to expand their competence across a wide spectrum of topics related to, but not limited to, the military profession. The GSD includes academic and vocational pursuits, licensure and certification, an expanded under- standing of world languages and culture, governance, the history and evolution of conflict, Army- and unit-level reading lists, and participation in relevant communities of practice. The GSD provides guidance to participants while reinforcing their persistence and commitment to lifelong learning. The appropriate proponent determines academic disciplines that support each MOS. See specific information in the Smartbook DA Pam 600–25, located at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/smartbook-da-pam-600–25/overview. f. NCO self-development is a meaningful, competency-based program that supports a lifelong learning approach to individual development and encourages individual initiative; results in an improved Soldier focus on the profession of arms; links the operational, institutional, and self-development domains of development into a cohesive strategy; and en- ables a train-ahead approach to development. This allows high performers to shape their speed of advancement. Self- development must— (1) Meet the needs of all components. (2) Support a lifelong learning strategy. (3) Leverage all existing programs (military and civilian). (4) Provide individual assessment and feedback. (5) Support the needs of both the Soldier and the Army, by balancing personal and professional goals. 2–16. Educational activities in support of self-development The Army’s goal is for every Soldier to become an “adaptive learner” who is continuously learning and growing in their tactical, technical, and educational competencies and skills. Civilian education and military professionalism are not mutu- ally exclusive, they are mutually supporting. Many self-development activities recommended in a PDM come from pro- grams and services offered through the Army Continuing Education Systems, which operates education and learning cen- ters throughout the Army. The Army Continuing Education Systems assists Soldiers with self-development as described below: a. Army education counselors provide academic and vocational counseling to help Soldiers establish professional and educational goals. Counselors help Soldiers select appropriate courses and find alternate methods to achieve goals, when operational assignments prevent regular course enrollment. b. Functional academic skills training (FAST) offers instruction in reading, mathematics, and communication skills to help Soldiers function on the job, prepare for advanced training, and meet prerequisites for continued education. Through the Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP), selected Soldiers achieve the current recommended reading grade levels and the Army’s recommended writing standard. This is an on-duty commander’s program to ensure Soldiers possess the nec- essary reading and writing skills to succeed in their occupational specialty. c. College level courses are available through installation education centers that partner with participating colleges to provide on-post and on line programs that lead to a degree or certificate. Most institutions operating on-post are part of the