Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this is a reproduction of an important new 2021 military handbook from the U.S. Department of Defense Operations Group National Training Center, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Center for Army Lessons Learned, titled Hard Lessons.

Contents: FOREWORD * CHAPTER 1: A Role Often Forgotten * CHAPTER 2: Noncommissioned Officer Managing Friction at the National Training Center * CHAPTER 3: Command Sergeant Major Presence * CHAPTER 4: Letter to my First Sergeants * CHAPTER 5: Managing Personnel in a Brigade Combat Team Formation * CHAPTER 6: Reimagine Your Promotion Board * CHAPTER 7: Reporting the Climate * APPENDIX A: Acronyms

Released March 12, 2021, written by the sergeants major (SGMs) of Operations Group, National Training Center (NTC), this handbook was inspired by the book, "66 Stories of Battle Command," where commanders shared their experiences during NTC rotations and provided "a way" to other commanders before they have to make a decision for a specific situation. The NTC SGMs have the same intentions with the publication of this handbook. The stories include experiences as an operations SGM and command sergeants major (CSM) at the battalion and brigade levels. Some of the stories provided will create differing opinions, but are only intended to share the authors' experiences with those that may face the same or similar situations. In each rotation, NTC leaders observe SGMs who, once exposed to a situation, produce extraordinary results. These stories are not meant to expose any unit; they are meant to unearth possible solutions.

USASMA offers many opportunities to gain experience on strategic requirements you may or may not come in contact with during your tenure as an SGM. As I said before, it provided me a reenergized level of confidence. It also provided me with an opportunity to be a part of a team. After spending 10 months with more than 700 other master sergeants, I forgot the importance of being on a team. Sixty days passed after graduating the academy and I realized my mistake.