Fort Bliss, TX –
For over two decades Juan Ortiz has been a staple of the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence (NCOLCoE) and the Sergeants Major Academy (SGM-A). His service to the institution started while he was still on active duty in the Army. He was a graduate of the Sergeants Major Course class 52 and his final role in uniform was serving as the Chief of Training at the Sergeants Major Academy.
After spending 27 years in the Army, he retired as a Command Sergeant Major. After retiring from active duty service, he spent an additional 15 years as an Army Civilian Professional (ACP) at the NCOLCoE. “I wanted to continue to be in the leader development business. I believe in the system of leader development.”
His most impactful role as an ACP was serving as the director of NCO Professional Development Directorate (NCOPDD) a title he held from 2020 to 2024. During that time he led the delivery of training materials for the Army’s Master Leader Course, the Battle Staff NCO Course and all 33 NCO Academies across the world.
Ortiz’s achievements over his decades in service were many, but “the greatest achievements always involved being part of a team”, he said. Some of his efforts at the NCOLCoE included aiding in the transition from analog to digital instruction platforms, the organizations transition from being led by officers to an entirely enlisted model of leadership and helping to bring the leadership and workforce development degree to academy students. “Those were big accomplishments that show that we are here to evolve leader development and provide the best education possible for enlisted Soldiers.”
Over the years Ortiz served as an instructor for the Battle Staff NCO Course, the Master Leader Course and the Sergeants Major Academy. After his retirement from active duty, he became one of the first six ACPs selected to become instructors for the SGM-A.
His parting words of advice to those in leadership roles were, “Don’t ever think you have arrived.” Ortiz added “everyone is a lifelong learner, there are constant changes that happen in the military, the schoolhouses and the world. Always keep learning and providing the next generation of Soldiers by teaching, coaching, mentoring, and being a person who passes on the knowledge that they acquired in order to help ensure the Army keeps rolling along.”
While at the NCOLCoE he earned awards and recognition for his work, some of these included the U.S. Army Senior Instructor badge, two Civilian Service Commendation Medals and two Civilian Achievement Medals.
After serving 23 years at the NCOLCoE Ortiz hosted a farewell event where he provided a taco lunch to all personnel in his department to thank them for their support over the years. He also recognized Bill Smolak, the first ever Battle Staff NCO Course Director his mentorship and his efforts in paving the way so Ortiz and others could succeed. Additionally, Master Sgt. William Skilling, Chief Instructor for the Battle Staff NCO Course, worked under Ortiz for the past year. “We appreciate his leadership and expertise,” said Skilling. “He really understood what we did since he has been an instructor in the past and he was always willing to step up for our team.”
Upon retiring from the NCOLCoE Ortiz plans to continue to work, but this time for himself in the consulting industry where he will advise on leader development to companies and government agencies. Ortiz’s last official day will be Dec. 31. after dedicating more than four decades of service to the United States Army, both in and out of uniform.