I wholeheartedly agree with MSgt Koss here. The NCO's power isn't being TAKEN away, it's being GIVEN away. I see and deal with this in the AF on a daily basis. Our E-4's aren't bridging the gap between Junior Enlisted and NCO, our E-5's aren't stepping up and taking their frontline supervisor responsibilities, our E-6's are frustrated that the E-5's and below give them no respect, and by the time it gets to my E-7 level, and I try to correct it, I get eye rolls and threats of MEO action because I'm not giving them a warm-fuzzy hugs and kisses speech.
Then, when you try to gather the troops for the "Come to Jesus" meeting, YOU are the one they complain about because you're the only one actually acting within his/her responsibility IAW AFI 36-2618 (Enlisted Force Structure). This is why I keep a copy of the little brown, little blue, and now little green book in my cargo pocket. Just for such "reminders" of how it's SUPPOSED to work.