Task & Purpose Task & Purpose

Harlan Kefalas

Harlan Kefalas is an enlisted paratrooper in the United States Army and is passionate about improving the NCO Corps. He deployed to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan and also served as a drill sergeant. He works at innovating the Department of Defense from within as part of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum. His views and opinions expressed are his alone and do not reflect the official position or policy of the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Recent articles from Harlan Kefalas

Command Sgt. Maj. Wardell Jefferson, Command Sergeant Major for U.S. Army Human Resources Command, discusses retention control points and non-commissioned officer evaluation reports with senior enlisted Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Feb. 15, 2016.
Leadership
9 Ways The Army’s New NCO Eval Is Just As Flawed As The One It Replaced
army us military modernization
Opinion
Congress Needs To Take Back Responsibility For Sending Troops To Conflict Zones
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – U.S. Army Brigadier General Steven Ainsworth (right), Deputy Commanding General of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, observes a chemical attack demonstration during a U.S. Army Europe Expert Field Medical Badge evaluation in Grafenwoehr, Germany on March 24, 2017.
Opinion
How An Expert Action Badge Will Only Hurt Force Readiness
Col. Drew Dukett of Roodhouse, Ill., commander of the 108th Sustainment Brigade, promotes Staff Sgt. Christopher Anderson, of Chicago, to the rank of sergeant first class April 7 at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Leadership
7 Key Tips For Overcoming Army E-7 Promotion Board Rejection
On Sept. 29, the Army will release the E-7 promotion board results. Here’s some advice for those who don’t make the cut.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Oregon, 52nd Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School commandant, left, gives ALS students a pep talk before a volleyball game at the Eifel Powerhouse on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Aug. 17, 2016.
Leadership
Why NCOs Can And Should Be Innovators
In today’s military, “leadership” at all levels should mean innovating.
Staff Sgt. Javier Jimenez, an infantry platoon sergeant, talks with local Afghans about the movement of insurgents near Patrol Base Boldak during Operation Grizzly IV.
Leadership
This Is Why The Best NCOs Self-Develop
Self-development is the key to enduring success as an NCO, and it begins where official military training stops.
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, is taught squad movement drills. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt Henrique Luiz de Holleben)
Leadership
The Army Needs To Start Taking NCO Education More Seriously Now
Our future NCOs deserve the best education possible, and it starts with the instructor.