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2026 Non-Commissioned Officer Conference (information to follow)
Details
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Overview
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Schedule
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Frequently asked questions
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2025 Non-Commissioned Officer Conference (finished)
Details
Date: May 26th, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where
Virtual – on Teams
In-person: le Grand Fort - 15 Rue Jacques-Cartier Nord Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 8R8
Registration
Virtual: NCOs Conference – virtual participation
In-person: NCOs Conference – in-person participation - Deadline: May 20th, 2025
Overview
Osside Institute is pleased to co-host the NCO Conference 2025 with the Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation (DMTC) and the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), on the theme “Advancing the Science of NCOs: Professionalization, Leadership & Future Warfare.”
Unlike officers, who are trained for strategy, planning, and command, non-commissioned officers (NCO) develop expertise through hands-on experience, mentorship, and direct operational leadership. Yet, despite their critical role, NCOs remain understudied, with military research and professional military education largely centered on officer development.
The NCO Conference 2025 will feature three engaging panels dedicated to addressing these gaps through dialogue and collaboration between experts from across the military and academic communities on the themes of strengthening early training, redefining career progression, enhancing interoperability, and adapting to the technological and strategic demands of future warfare.
Schedule
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Registration and Welcome Address
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | The Case for a Science of NCOs
This session will set the foundation for the day’s discussions by examining why NCOs remain understudied, and how the absence of a defined professional model affects their institutional role.
Major-General Dennis O’Reilly, Commandant, Canadian Defence Academy (CDA), Canadian Armed Forces
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. | Panel 1: Defining the NCO Profession
This panel will explore the evolving role of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs), examining gaps between expectations, training, and responsibilities, with a focus on the challenges of modern military operations.
Presentation by: Dr. Alan C. Okros, Professor Emeritus, Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Panel 2: The NCOs as Leaders
This panel will analyze the role of NCOs in command teams, their leadership dynamics without formal authority, and the need for updated professional military education to better reflect modern warfare and leadership expectations.
Presentation by: Dr. Rasmus M. Andresen, Ph.D. Fellow, Royal Danish Defence College, Denmark
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Panel 3: The Future NCOs
This panel will explore how the role of NCOs will evolve with technological advancements and new forms of warfare, and how military institutions must adapt to ensure NCOs remain vital in future conflicts.
Presentation by: Dr. Valerija Bernik, Head of the Non-Commissioned Officer College, Republic of Slovenia
4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Thanks
Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS), Canadian Armed Forces
Frequently asked questions
Is there a dress code?
All CAF members attending the event in-person must wear the operational dress/CADPAT, while civilians must wear a business casual attire.
Is the event bilingual?
The conference will mostly be in English, but all questions can be asked and answered in the language of your choice.
Is lunch provided?
No, lunch will be at the member's or unit's expense. Cafeteria will be open ($8.00 to 12.00).
Who is the point of contact?
You can reach out to the Osside Institute Public Affairs Officer, Capt Frederique Rousseau: frederique.rousseau@forces.gc.ca
