JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - –
As a way to coach, mentor and train U.S. Army noncommissioned officer academy instructors, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's Institute for Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development created the Instructor
Development and Recognition Program.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Johnson, Aviation Logistics Noncommissioned Officer Academy senior leader course senior small group leader, was one of seven Soldiers who were the first to be awarded the Army Instructor Badge under the new program.
"The program and the badge are great ways for the Army to promote technical expertise," said Johnson. "It makes instructors readily identifiable as subject matter experts and allows units to know what their instructors are truly capable of."
The IDRP awards three different levels of Army Instructor Badges to Noncommissioned Officer Education System instructors who have completed certification and training requirements, logged instruction hours and accomplished evaluations.
"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and much like a drill sergeant badge or a recruiter badge, there's a very small percentage of the Army that can earn it," Johnson explained. "The badge means a lot to me because it allows me to be more of an asset to the Amy, and I can teach where they need me to."
The seven Soldiers were recognized for their participation in the program during a ceremony in Alexandria, Virginia, July 1, when they received their badges from U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno and Sergeant Major of the Army Sgt. Maj. Raymond Chandler III.
"Our Soldiers are the best at what they do because of the training they receive from world-class instructors," said Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, TRADOC senior enlisted advisor. "These first seven Army Instructor Badge recipients represent the thousands of dedicated professionals in our Army who teach, coach and mentor tomorrow's future leaders."
Johnson said receiving the badge during the ceremony was surreal.
"It didn't really hit me until I was shaking General Odierno's hand," said Johnson. "It felt like I was really a part of the Army's big picture, and I could see what I was meant to do."