Training and educating the Army's newest CMF.

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The creation of the Civil Affairs career management field, CMF 38, in October 2006 provided better utilization, career management and promotion opportunity for enlisted Soldiers in Civil Affairs. It also created a need for Civil Affairs training under the NCO Education System, or NCOES.

In April 2006, the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion selected two experienced CA NCOs and reassigned them to the JFK Special Warfare Center and School's NCO Academy, or NCOA, to assist in the development and instruction of NCOES courses for CMF 38: the Basic NCO Course, or BNCOC, and the Advanced NCO Course, or ANCOC. Prior to that time, there were no courses to prepare active-duty CA NCOs for their career progression.

Soldiers in the new CMF who were otherwise eligible for selection and promotion received waivers on their NCOES requirements. Without the level of required NCOES to support these promotions, CA was quickly acquiring a backlog of NCOs requiring advanced education. The NCOA, through cooperation with the SWCS Directorate of Training and Doctrine's Training Development Division, began developing pilot courses for the CMF 38 BNCOC and ANCOC. It began running the BNCOC during the spring of 2007, but ANCOC was not available until the summer of 2008.

The need for CA ANCOC training was critical. Soldiers in 38B who are sergeants first class and above are assigned throughout the Army to advise commanders at all levels and their staffs. The curriculum for CA ANCOC teaches CA senior NCOs the skills they will need to serve as team sergeants and planners at various levels, from brigade combat team to group, division and corps levels.

The current CA ANCOC is a four-week course training and educating CA NCOs in Civil Affairs and civil-military operations. The majority of these students attend ANCOC from the 95th CA Brigade, located at Fort Bragg, N.C. Many of the NCOs have served as CA team sergeants and bring a variety of experience into the resident course.

During their first week, ANCOC students are instructed on the cultural elements for the major regions of the world. Students receive an overview of the Quran and Islam, with emphasis on Islamic history and customs. All classes use small-group methodology and incorporate students' operational experience in the region.