The History of the Fort Sill Noncommissioned Officer Academy
The Fort Sill Noncommissioned Officer Academy was established on 5 Feb. 1959 with Lt. Col. Morehouse as the first commandant. The first pilot course began in April and in May the first 22 students graduated. The first expansion of the program of instruction was in 1963 with the development of the Leadership Preparation Course, a 2-week course in leadership.
By 1971, the academy was responsible for the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the Leadership Preparation School, Instructor Training Course, and the Drill Sergeant School. Due to the diverse missions for which the academy was responsible, the name was changed to the Fort Sill Institute.
In March 1973, Command Sgt. Maj. Lewis became the first enlisted commandant of the institute. The Primary Noncommissioned Officer Course for Combat Arms was started in October 1975. In May 1977, only Noncommissioned Officer Courses were being taught at the institute and the name was changed to the Fort Sill Noncommissioned Officer Career Development Center.
On 1 July 1987, the Noncommissioned Officer Education System Battery was consolidated with the Noncommissioned Officer Academy and renamed as the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Sill. The NCOA trained NCOs to be trainers and leaders of the Soldiers who will work and fight under their supervision and to improve the unit’s collective mission proficiency.
In 2005, the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) was changed to the Warrior Leader Course (WLC) to focus on the warfighting skills required of today’s junior NCO to meet the needs of the Global War on Terror. On 1 Oct. 2008, the Master Gunner Course was re-aligned under the FA School. In 2016, WLC became the Basic Leader Course (BLC), better aligning with NCO 2020 and greater emphasis and enlisted leader education.
In 2006, the Field Artillery NCOA began the BRAC integration process and the Air Defense Artillery NCOA moved from Fort Bliss, Texas to Fort Sill to join forces and become the “Fires Center of Excellence” NCOA. On 16 Aug. 2009, the first ADA Advanced NCO Course (ANCOC) and Basic NCO Course (BNCOC) classes were conducted at Fort Sill under the newly established Fires Center of Excellence USANCOA. On 1 Oct. 2009, ANCOC and BNCOC were re-designated as Advanced Leader Course (ALC) and Senior Leader Course (SLC). On 1 Oct 2010, the First Sergeant Course was eliminated and that course material was incorporated as part of the Senior Leader Course.
Today’s Fort Sill NCOA has transformed to support an Army at war and the skills necessary for the NCOs of the future. Graduating as many as 2,900 NCOs annually, we conduct SLC, ALC, Battle Staff NCO Course and BLC. We stand ready and committed to excellence in training of the NCO corps.
COMMANDANTS FROM 1973 TO PRESENT
CSM Clifford L. Lewis
MAR 1973 - SEP 1974
CSM Ralfh Pitcher
SEP 1974 - JUN 1975
CSM Coyle C. Bohn
JUL 1975 - APR 1976
CSM Tommy Morgan
APR 1976 - MAY 1977
CSM Nick Mastrovito
MAY 1977 - JUN 1978
CSM James Kennedy
JUN 1978 - MAY 1980
CSM George Phillips
AUG 1980 - MAY 1983
CSM Pat Fowler
MAY 1983 - NOV 1984
CSM John A. Pierce
NOV 1984 - JAN 1986
CSM Kenneth E. Mills
JAN 1986 - AUG 1988
CSM Jerry M. Laws
AUG 1988 - FEB 1990
CSM William J. Kermode
FEB 1990 - JUN 1991
CSM Mal Causby
JUN 1991 - OCT 1991
CSM Harold F. Shrewsberry
OCT 1991 - OCT 1993
CSM Karl L. Purdy
OCT 1993 - MAY 1995
CSM Jerry L. Wood
MAY 1995 - OCT 1997
CSM Gene Odom
OCT 1997 - JUN 1999
CSM Rickey Hatcher
JUN 1999 - JUN 2000
CSM Joseph Stanley
JUN 2000 - DEC 2001
CSM Carl B. McPherson
JAN 2002 - JAN 2004
CSM Allie R. Ousley
JAN 2004 - MAY 2006
CSM Robert L. White
MAY 2006 - JUL 2007
CSM Dean J. Keveles
NOV 2007 - JUN 2011
CSM Bryan A. Pinkney
JUN 2011 - May 2014
CSM Phillip J. Brunwald
AUG 2014 - Present