WASHINGTON – Army noncommissioned officers will get a new leadership reference tool next year, Army Staff Sergeant Major Michael Weimer announced Wednesday afternoon at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference.
The program’s working name, Army Blue Book and Digital Library, is being developed in collaboration with the Army Software Factory and Training and Doctrine Command, Weimer added. He said the goal is to begin beta testing the platform in fall 2024.
Weimer said the Blue Book app will be a one-stop shop for Army enlisted leaders who want to know “what it looks like to be right.” This includes Army and unit historical information, philosophical references such as values and beliefs, updates on standards and discipline, clearly defined leadership responsibilities, and the military’s most commonly referenced regulations and other Contains a digital library with publications.
In an interview after the launch, Weimer explained that the app is intended to clearly communicate authoritative standards, which he argued will help NCOs increase the level of basic discipline in their communities.
Weimer acknowledged that in the current situation, there can be “a fear of enforcing standards” for noncommissioned officers.
Training and Doctrine Command officials said the bluebook is intended to supplement existing programs such as the MySquad application, which was developed during the tenure of now-retired Staff Sergeant Major Michael Grinston. .
The Army also plans to build a feedback mechanism into the application that will allow Soldiers to suggest ideas to senior leadership. However, this feature is not anonymous.
Weimer’s Blue Book announcement was not the only application presented at the conference. Installation Management Command, also working with Army Software Factory, is developing the My Army Post application, which provides real-time information about installation resources such as gate hours, gym facilities, and canteens.
Davis Winkie is a senior reporter covering the Army. He focuses on investigations, personnel matters, and military justice. Davis, also a Guard veteran, was a finalist for the 2023 Livingston Award for his work with the Texas Tribune investigating the National Guard’s border mission. He studied history at Vanderbilt and UNC-Chapel Hill.
