In this episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones break down some of the most iconic leadership quotes from General James “Mad Dog” Mattis, originally compiled by journalist Louis Nelson in (2016). From decision-making and mindset to discipline, presence, and command, this episode explores how Mattis’ principles challenge today’s NCOs to lead with clarity, composure, and consistency. With real-world reflections and tactical insights, Cashe and Jones connect timeless warrior wisdom to the demands of modern Army leadership, and remind us that readiness is about more than tactics. It’s about tone, trust, and truth. Because of you, our Army is better!

In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones strip away the buzzwords and get real about what command climate actually is, and how every leader, regardless of rank, plays a role in shaping it. From identifying subtle culture killers to offering tactical ways to reset broken climates, this episode speaks directly to squad leaders, team chiefs, and junior NCOs who may not wear the title of "commander", but absolutely set the tone in their formations. Through personal stories, practical insight, and a powerful call to action, this episode reminds us that when culture drifts, leaders don’t wait for rescue, they course correct from where they stand. Because of you, our Army is better. Let’s prove it, by how we lead every day.

In this episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones address what it means to lead during one of the most pivotal times in the Army’s history, transformation in contact. As missions continue and commands realign, Soldiers are looking for leaders who remain steady, clear, and focused. This conversation explores how leaders at echelon can be the calm in the chaos, modeling adaptability, presence, and mindset over mood. From anchoring in the basics to cutting through rumor mills, Cashe and Jones issue a direct charge to every NCO: your leadership is the message in this moment. If you want to set the tone and stabilize your formation during change, this one’s for you.

In this episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones unpack one of the most powerful but underrated tools a leader can wield, presence. More than just showing up, presence is about being emotionally engaged, consistently visible, and trustworthy in the moments that matter most. From missed opportunities to legacy-shaping leadership moments, this conversation dives deep into what happens when leaders go “missing”... and what greatness looks like when they truly show up. Through raw storytelling, personal failure, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode challenges every NCO and officer to stop leading on autopilot—and start leading with presence. Because of you, our Army is better. Let’s lead like it.

In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones take a hard look at one of the most dangerous threats to unit cohesion: toxic microcultures. They explore how small pockets of favoritism, silence, or unchecked behavior can quietly shape a squad’s identity, and derail a unit’s discipline, morale, and trust. From red flags to real-life experiences, this episode equips NCOs with the tools to correct dysfunction before it spreads. Listeners will learn: * How microcultures form—and why they’re hard to detect * Signs that your team might be off course * What “right looks like” in a healthy team culture * The NCO’s role in identifying, resetting, and restoring standards * Why “that’s just how they are” should never be tolerated If you want to protect your formation from within, this episode is for you. Because leadership isn’t just about the mission, it’s about the environment that makes the mission possible.

In this episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones tackle a topic that hits close to home for leaders across the Army, burnout. What does it look like when a leader is running on empty? Why do so many feel it, yet so few talk about it? And how do we restore ourselves without losing momentum or credibility? This episode pulls back the curtain on the emotional toll of leadership, the silence surrounding burnout, and the impact it has on trust, discipline, and the formation itself. Through personal reflections, tactical advice, and a strong call to action, Cashe and Jones challenge every leader to lead with honesty, restore with purpose, and remember, even the strongest need time to reset. Because of you, our Army is better. Now let’s talk about how to keep it that way.

In this episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones break down the leadership lessons behind "Creating a Culture of Excellence: Incentive-Based Leadership", a powerful article written by CPT Brennan Deveraux and 1SG Christopher Castignanie. Recorded straight from the field, this conversation explores how building a system that rewards excellence, not just punishes failure, can transform the culture of any unit. They break down the Bulldog Incentive Program and how its smart, intentional rewards led to real results: higher PT scores, sharper leaders, stronger cohesion, and fewer discipline issues. Whether you’re leading a squad or commanding a company, this episode offers insight you can apply immediately to build your own culture of excellence. Article Link: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2019/January-2019/Culture-of-Excellence/

Step into the world of Army Drill Sergeants with this raw and real conversation that pulls no punches. In this episode of the Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones go beyond the hat to explore the emotional, mental, and leadership challenges that shape the NCOs who shape the Army. From family sacrifice to mental resilience, legacy, and hard-earned wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wears, or aspires to wear, the round brown. Whether you're leading trainees, supporting a DS, or reflecting on your own trail experience, this conversation will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to lead with purpose.

In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones unpack a powerful white paper written by Major Borchardt, LCSW, an Army Behavioral Health Officer whose work is reshaping the conversation on leadership, identity, and suicide prevention in the force. We explore the VALOR Program, Values Added Leadership Origins Revitalized, a transformative leadership initiative designed to help Soldiers and leaders reconnect with their personal values, develop emotional resilience, and lead with purpose. This isn’t just another training block. It’s a call to re-center the force. The program blends warrior tradition, psychology, and Army values into a scalable model that could be implemented across formations, from PME environments to battalion-level resets. Most importantly, it offers a path forward in the fight against suicide, not through policy, but through authentic connection, reflection, and growth. Because of you, our Army is better. Now go lead with VALOR.

The NCO Creed isn’t just something we recite, it’s a contract for how we lead, train, and influence Soldiers every single day. But are NCOs truly living it, or just saying the words? In this episode of Backbone Leader Exchange, SGT Cashe and SSG Jones take a deep dive into what it means to embody the NCO Creed in real leadership. They discuss how true influence goes beyond authority, why competence is essential for credibility, and how effective NCOs develop disciplined, lethal, and well-trained Soldiers. This isn’t just a discussion, it’s a challenge. Are you leading by example? Are you earning the respect of your Soldiers? If not, it’s time to step up. Because of you, our Army is better. Now go be the NCO your Soldiers deserve.