Unconstrained

The NCO Journal’s “Creative Domain”

(Graphic by NCO Journal)

Throughout the history of the Army’s journals, non-traditional content has garnered readership and authorship from across the force. Recently, the NCO Journal debuted its latest section, the “NCO Creative Domain.” Here, Chago Zapata, the managing editor for the NCO Journal, invites writers to leave the confines of scholarly work and dive into a place where they can express themselves through poetry, short fiction, reviews, problem-solving exercises, or visualize the future of warfare in creative ways.

On April 8^th of this year, Chago launched this effort with a fictional writing and intelligence (FICINT) short story called “The Drone Patrol.”

Chago and “The Drone Patrol”

As managing editor, my decision to write "The Drone Patrol" didn't come out of the blue. I’ve been a writer for over 35 years, mostly writing journalistic news stories. Recently, I decided to explore some uncharted terrain where my personal experiences met my imagination.

Every day, my team and I are immersed in scholarly writing, which dictates the tone and content of the professional articles we publish. We release pieces with a foundation in U.S. Army doctrine that propose new ideas and better ways of doing things or offer historical perspectives. It’s important work, and we’re proud to publish it. However, there's more to the NCO experience than what fits neatly into scholarly rhetoric. An uncountable number of stories are waiting to be told, and imaginations unleashed.

"The Drone Patrol" came from a desire to break free from traditional boundaries and explore a different and unfamiliar dimension. This story wasn't just about crafting an exciting fictional narrative; it was about using storytelling to provoke thought, spark discussion, encourage new perspectives, or inspire soldiers to exercise their creative muscles.

Some scenes are based on my experiences while deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. I recommend grounding your work in reality. This gives the story depth and an element of realism that makes your story more credible and relatable. The little girl carrying the boy on her hip with flies landing on his snot was something I experienced when I was in An-Najaf, Iraq, in 2004.

This story was also an opportunity to push the envelope, challenge the status quo, and create a space where NCOs could explore their creativity. I chose to make my protagonist a woman, a recently promoted sergeant, an infantry Soldier, and an outsider to the rest of her platoon. I wanted to challenge stereotypes, bring some of the Army’s contemporary cultural challenges to the surface, and incite the reader into discussion.

Ultimately, we want to help our NCO corps think creatively.

Since Then

Since this debut, the NCO Journal has released another FICINT story and two poems.

• “72 Hours” by Dr. Robert Nelson is another FICINT short story with a terrific plot twist that gets even the calmest soldier’s endorphins pumping.

• “Review Mirror” by Wascar A. Diaz artistically reflects on the life of a military family and some of the challenges they face.

• “Chances” by Chago Zapata encourages embracing opportunities and taking risks despite fear and uncertainty.

We encourage everyone to leave their comfort zone and try their hand at some form of creative writing—whatever form that may be. This practice can improve communication skills, enhance self-awareness, promote professional development and critical thinking, and cultivate creativity in other parts of life—all essential for a successful career in the Army.

As the NCO Journal continues to receive more content, we’re excited to see how imaginative the Army’s soldiers can be. To all the NCOs and writers who dare to imagine and create, we urge you to write and submit to the NCO Creative Domain.

(Graphic by NCO Journal)