By Civilians, For Civilians

The Army Civilian Professional Journal

Owning Our Narrative

Army civilians make up nearly 25% of the Total Force, providing the steady hand and deep expertise that keeps the mission moving. While the Chief of Staff has highlighted professional writing as the heartbeat of a healthy Army, our community has often been the “quiet professionals” in the background. We spend our careers solving the Army’s toughest puzzles—from complex logistics to advanced engineering—yet we rarely share those solutions beyond our own office walls. It’s time we strengthen our profession through open, honest dialogue.

With that goal in mind, the Army Civilian Professional Journal was created as a space built by the workforce, for the workforce. Drawing inspiration from the Army’s long tradition of branch journals—dating back to the 19th-century cavalry and artillery papers—this new forum is specifically designed for the unique challenges we face as civilians. It’s a modern platform where a GS-7’s fresh perspective is just as valuable as a SES’s strategic oversight. This isn’t just another task; it’s our chance to mentor one another at scale.

We’re inviting you to pull up a chair and join the conversation. Read the journal to see what your peers across the globe are tackling; share it with your team to spark a better way of doing business; and, most importantly, write. Your “lesson learned” today could be the breakthrough a colleague needs tomorrow. Send your drafts, questions, or even a rough outline to usarmy.leavenworth.cac.mbx.armyu-amsc-civilian-journal@army.mil.

Allyson McNitt, PhD is an editor for the Army Civilian Professional Journal at Fort Leavenworth.