This October 2007 book was prepared by the US Army Sergeants Major Academy. The preface reads "The call to war is often met by young Soldiers who lack an understanding of what they are about to encounter. These young Soldiers must be trained, prepared, and then led in battle by those with experience and understanding---the Noncommissioned Officer Corps. In an effort to preserve the history of the US Army Noncommissioned Officer.

The Center for Advanced of Studies of the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer is sad to have learned of the passing of the 2nd Sergeant Major of the Army SMA (Ret.) George W. Dunaway who served as SMA between September 1968 to September 1970. Born July 24, 1922 in Richmond, VA, SMA Dunaway enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard’s 29th Division in January 1940 and was mobilized with the Division in February 1941.

The Defense Advisory Committee on Professional Technical Compensation (commonly called the Cordiner Committee) was created in March 1956 "to study a possible adjustment to the existing pay structure" for retention purposes. On 8 May 1957 they recommended to the Secretary of Defense that pay grades E-8 and E-9 be created in all the services.