Greatness isn’t given, it’s a choice. In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, Sergeant Cashe and Staff Sergeant Jones break down the powerful leadership challenge posed by SGM Ellis at an Advanced Leader Course (ALC) graduation: To be or not to be great?

✅ What separates great leaders from average ones?

✅ Why does choosing excellence matter for you and your Soldiers?

✅ How does the 'Soldier’s Request' define our responsibility as NCOs?

✅ What daily actions can you take to elevate your leadership and legacy?

Every day, you make a choice, to uphold the standard or to let it slip, to inspire or to settle, to develop leaders or just manage Soldiers. The future of our Army depends on the decisions you make today.

Great training doesn’t happen by chance, it happens by design. In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, Sergeant Cashe and Staff Sergeant Jones break down the 8-Step Training Model, a proven framework for executing high-impact, battle-focused training. From planning and preparation to execution and retraining, they cover what every NCO needs to know to build lethal, disciplined, and ready Soldiers.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✅ How to use the 8-Step Training Model to maximize effectiveness

✅ Common mistakes leaders make when planning training—and how to fix them

✅ Why rehearsals and evaluations are critical to mission success

✅ How to ensure training isn’t just checked off but truly retained

🎙 Leadership Challenge: Are you following the 8-Step Model, or just going through the motions? It’s time to raise the standard.

🚀 Listen now to refine your training skills, sharpen your leadership, and ensure your Soldiers are combat-ready!

In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, Sergeant Cashe and Staff Sergeant Jones break down the leadership lessons from four of history’s most impactful leaders, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and General Colin Powell.

From Mandela’s resilience and unity-driven leadership to Gandhi’s philosophy of leading by example, we explore how NCOs can inspire trust and loyalty in their formations. We dive into Mother Teresa’s servant leadership, proving that true leadership is about care, compassion, and the small actions that make a big difference. Finally, we bring it home with General Colin Powell’s principles of trust, decisiveness, and optimism, showing how the best leaders set the tone for their teams.

In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, Sergeant Cashe and Staff Sergeant Jones break down discipline, mentorship, and ethical leadership, the pillars of a strong NCO. Inspired by CSM Raymond Harris’s article, The Crucial Role NCOs Play in Strengthening the Army Profession, they discuss real-world leadership, enforcing standards, and developing future leaders. Tune in, step up, and lead with purpose.

This episode explores how leaders can navigate social media effectively, from setting the example to using it as a tool to build trust and morale. Learn how to uphold Army Values online while leveraging the digital space to lead with impact.

This week, we’re tackling the essentials every NCO needs: mastering counseling, navigating evaluation board, and improving your OML standing. Join us for actionable insights to refine your leadership and take charge of your career.

In this episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange, we explore insights from the NCO Journal article Genuine Leadership: the Little Things Matter, by CSM Sheldon Chandler. Join Sergeant Cashe and Staff Sergeant Jones as they discuss how authentic leadership fosters trust, growth, and lasting impact.

Article Link: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2020/April/Genuine-Leadership/

In this inaugural episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange Podcast, we tackle one of the most critical challenges facing today's Army: suicide prevention. Drawing insights from the article "Reframing Suicide Prevention: A Call for Modern Solutions in the Army," we explore how leaders can move beyond outdated approaches to foster genuine connection, resilience, and readiness within their teams.

Join us as we discuss:

Why traditional methods fall short in today’s digital age.

The role of leadership in preserving life and morale.

Innovative programs like the VALOR initiative and their impact on Soldier readiness.

Actionable strategies for building a proactive, supportive environment.

This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking to make a lasting impact on their Soldiers' lives and the Army's future.