Sgt. 1st Class Earnest Gradney, U.S. NATO Brigade, AFNORTH Battalion, accepts his certificate of graduation from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy battle staff non-commissioned officer course during a ceremony held at Tompkins Barracks. Sgt. 1st Class Gradney was one of 15 non-commissioned officers who participated in the class, conducted by the U.S. Army NATO Brigade and the sergeants major academy. The five-week course prepared he soldiers to serve as a battle staff non-commissioned officers and manage the day-to-day operations of corps, division, regiment, group, brigade and battalion and squadron command posts.