The Noncommissioned Officer Solarium 2015, a sergeant major of the Army (SMA) initiative, is an effort to inform and shape the future direction of the U.S. Army.This effort brings together over 80 sergeants first class and master sergeants, including first sergeants, to U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s Combined Arms Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.Through this initiative, NCOs will identify issues that will have an impact on the Army into the foreseeable future, and provide recommendations to the SMA.NCO Solarium 2015 consists of two phases: online and onsite.The first phase included a Defense Connect Online session with all participants in March 2015.This session defined the purpose of the Solarium, identified topics for discussion, and concluded with the way ahead for the Solarium.Key discussion topics included: talent management, education, culture, training, vision/branding, mission command and physical fitness.Subsequent online sessions matched participants to a work group with a specific topic and linked them with their group facilitator who recommended readings and guided other discussions in preparation for the onsite phase.The second phase was held at Fort Leavenworth and consisted of two and a half days to finalize the topic presentations to the SMA.On day three, the SMA addressed Solarium participants, then representatives from each work group presented their topics and recommendations.The intent is to continue holding Solarium-type events on a recurring basis, in the continental U.S. and overseas, with all component and cohort groups, to solicit insight to help shape the Army for success in the future.The Army values its leaders’ observations and insights, which will be used to adapt policy, processes, and programs.