On September 19, 2025, the United States State Department announced a major step in fortifying NATO’s eastern flank: the approval of a $780 million sale of Javelin Missile Systems and related logistical equipment to Poland. The move comes as tensions simmer across Europe, with the threat of Russian incursions looming ever larger in the minds of policymakers and military leaders alike. For Poland, a key NATO front-line state, the acquisition of these advanced anti-tank systems is more than just a procurement—it's a statement of intent and a reinforcement of its defensive posture.
According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Poland’s request includes a staggering 2,506 FGM-148F Javelin missiles and 253 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units. The package, as outlined by the DSCA, doesn’t stop at the missiles themselves. It also encompasses a suite of non-major defense equipment: missile simulation rounds, battery coolant units, toolkits, spares support, and, crucially, training and technical assistance from both US government and contractor personnel. The DSCA has already notified Congress of the potential sale, setting the stage for legislative approval.
In its statement, the DSCA was clear about the broader strategic context. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political and economic stability in Europe,” the agency said. The move, it added, will “improve Poland’s capability to meet current and future threats by upgrading its existing legacy Command Launch Units and increasing its defence inventory, thereby reinforcing its capability to protect Polish sovereign territory and improving its ability to meet NATO requirements.”
Poland has not been idle in the face of mounting regional threats. On the same day as the US announcement, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz revealed that Poland would soon sign a cooperation agreement with Kyiv. This agreement, he explained, will see Ukraine’s military training Polish soldiers and engineers in drone defence methods—a timely measure, considering recent events along Poland’s border.
Just a week earlier, on September 10, Polish and NATO forces found themselves thrust into the heart of the ongoing conflict when they shot down more than 20 drones that had violated Polish airspace during a Russian aerial attack on Ukraine. The incident marked the first time that Polish and NATO forces had directly engaged in the conflict, underscoring the volatility of the situation and the risks faced by NATO members bordering Russia and its allies. Ukraine, for its part, asserted that Moscow was using the drone incursions as a test of the West’s willingness to respond to aggression. Russia maintained that its forces had not intended to strike Polish targets, insisting their attacks were aimed solely at Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the shifting security landscape isn’t confined to Poland and Ukraine. Denmark, another NATO member, announced this week its intention to acquire long-range, high-precision weapons for the first time—a move Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described as a “paradigm shift in Danish defence policy.” Speaking candidly, Frederiksen warned that Russia constitutes a threat to Denmark “for years to come,” even if there is no imminent danger of an attack. “With these weapons, the defence forces will be able to hit targets at long range and, for example, neutralise enemy missile threats,” she said. The message was clear: NATO’s northern members are also recalibrating their defense strategies in response to the new realities of European security.
Ukraine, meanwhile, continues to seek support from its Western allies. The country is hoping to receive between $3.5 and $3.6 billion worth of weapons through the Priority Ukraine Requirements List initiative, a new mechanism that enables NATO states to finance the transfer of US-sourced weapons and technology to Kyiv. It’s a lifeline for a nation fighting on multiple fronts, and a further sign of the deepening military ties between NATO and Ukraine.
Yet, while new weapons and alliances grab headlines, the backbone of any military force remains its people—particularly its Noncommissioned Officer Corps. The US Army’s NCOs, often called the “Backbone of the Army,” are the glue that holds the service together, anchoring leadership, discipline, and technical expertise from corporal through sergeant major. Their chevrons, those iconic stripes, have come to symbolize not just rank, but trust, experience, and responsibility.
In the Republic of Korea, US Army NCOs play a role that extends beyond tradition. They serve as the crucial link between US and ROK forces, fostering unity of effort and facilitating combined operations essential for peace and security in one of the world’s most strategically significant regions. Their ROK counterparts mirror this dedication, building a partnership forged in shared sacrifice and mutual respect. For decades, US and ROK NCOs have trained, fought, and learned side by side, creating a bond that endures to this day.
Few embody the spirit of the NCO more than Joseph Charles Rodríguez. Entering the US Army in 1950, Rodríguez deployed to Korea as a sergeant with Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On May 21, 1951, near Munye-ri, his platoon’s advance was blocked by enemy forces. Rodríguez, under withering fire, advanced alone across open ground, launching grenades into multiple bunkers and silencing five fortified positions. His actions cleared the way for his platoon to seize the objective. For this extraordinary display of courage, President Harry S. Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor in 1952.
Rodríguez’s legacy didn’t end on the battlefield. He went on to serve more than 30 years in the US Army, retiring as a colonel in 1980 after assignments that spanned Vietnam, Latin America, and Korea. The Army honored him by naming the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex in Pocheon, South Korea, after him—a place where soldiers today train to the high standards he set. His story serves as a benchmark for leadership and courage, a reminder that individual valor can shape the course of history.
This tradition of excellence continues within the US-ROK NCO partnership. Both armies have adapted to new threats, modernizing their forces and integrating advanced technology. Training facilities like the Rodriguez Live-Fire Complex bridge the past and present, connecting Rodríguez’s daring charge in 1951 to today’s mastery of digital systems and joint operations. The alliance, bound by the spirit of Katchi Kapshida—“We go together”—remains resilient, lethal, and ready to deter or defeat aggression when necessary.
As Europe and the Indo-Pacific face rapidly changing security environments, the stories of Poland’s renewed defensive investments and the enduring legacy of leaders like Rodríguez offer a powerful lesson: alliances are built not only on hardware and treaties, but on the steadfast character and sacrifice of those who serve. Whether it’s the acquisition of Javelin missiles or the quiet, daily leadership of NCOs on the front lines, the commitment to collective defense and shared values is what keeps the peace—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
