What does being an NCO mean to you?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 09:58:25 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 10:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 10:06:06 -0500

A Leader. A Professional. A Mentor. Someone who has been given the extreme honor of being entrusted with the lives of Soldiers.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Feb 10 at 2017 10:34 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 10:34:23 -0500

SFC Aubrey Smith,a true professional someone I always tried to emulate when I made the NCO grade,but really compared to him I was just a guy who played Army for three years,he lived it as a career and taught us what it took to be a leader,a professional soldier.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 10:42 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 10:42:33 -0500

The NCOcreed sums it up well.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 12:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 12:30:55 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member As a Marine, I tried to emulate the best practices that I observed from fellow Marines. It was my duty to be a squared away Marine and know my MOS. As a NCO, my task was to accomplish the mission with the men and material at hand, while mentoring and taking care of my men. Having integrity was a big part of my makeup, along with mentoring.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 5:12 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 17:12:43 -0500

being an NCO you lead by example, you lead from the front, you listen to your sm's but keep in mind the mission, sometimes you have to remember that you are an NCO and no longer part of junior ranks

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Feb 10 at 2017 5:44 PM

SFC Dennis Yancy — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 17:44:23 -0500

Responsible for your soldiers.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2017 11:03 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 23:03:29 -0500

Not there yet. I'm still trying to gather what I would want to be as an NCO, who were my best influences, what would I take from them and what would I not do. I view NCO's as mentors. Every one is different in their own way, and when they impart knowledge to you, you might not always like the way in which they do it but the lesson is there.

Someday when I make Sergeant I would like to think I could impart my knowledge of things make sure they know I'm there for them and will look out for them. That doesn't mean I'm their buddy but that they are my Soldiers and that hopefully I would be there to push them forward, keep the flak off them, and show them a path to success.

At least that's what I think now.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Feb 12 at 2017 3:21 AM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 03:21:59 -0500

While PCS ing to Germany, an incident occurred where I encountered two young Pvts in the main terminal in St. Louis airport making rude and lascivious statements to a young female. Since we were all in uniform, I asked to see their ID cards as they were in open violation of UCMJ and I was taught to take immediate corrective action when ever possible. As I looked at the ID's I realized they had the same last name and I asked if they were related. They were brothers. Just then, a middle aged woman 50-60 or so appeared and was very agitated, telling me she was the grandmother, and the female was their cousin. I noticed we had attracted a small but growing crowd and also noticed I was the only white person present. I said in a loud voice "Ma'am, I am an NCO in the United States Army, I am paid to jump to conclusions. I jumped wrong here but hope you understand under the circumstances" She said she did and that ended the matter. You get your rank from making mistakes and from doing your job and from learning to do the next one, but it is also from being forward thinking and from making decisions when no one else can or will make them and being sensitive to the rest of your team and the mission. The best decision is the right decision, the worst decision is making no decision.
Bayonet!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2017 12:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 12:46:31 -0500

To me it depends on your duty position. When I was in the Guard (infantry) I loved being a team leader and then a squad leader. It was tough but rewarding. Now as Reserve AGR , not so much as they sent me to remote area in IOWA and I do admin stuff all day.

Response by SMSgt Roger Horton made Feb 14 at 2017 6:27 AM

SMSgt Roger Horton — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 06:27:32 -0500

Becoming an NCO meant that the command had confidence in me and thought I was ready to step up. It also meant that I was to assume a greater responsibility for the individuals of lesser rank, for their well being, and to help them with problems, and help them achieve NCO status.

Response by GySgt James Marchinke made Feb 14 at 2017 7:18 AM

GySgt James Marchinke — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 07:18:39 -0500

An NCO is Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Coastie, and Airman that has perfected his or her craft to the point that leaders recognize your achievements to place you in the position to lead. To lead is not to just give out orders but give out missions and accept the fact that the ones you lead can accomplish the mission and let them. If questions are ask of you answer to the best of your ability and never never overstep your bounds with them. We are all human and do not know it all, attest to the fact that some of your lower enlisted might have a better way of accomplishing the mission and recognize that. Never talk down to them, never lie to them, the respect you have will drastically dwindle and your reputation will suffer if you treat your in charges as not as good as yourself and if you stay on course they will do anything that you say because you will never ask of them nothing you would not do yourself. It is a family thing, camaraderie is special and once you lose the trust it is so hard to gain back if ever. They, who are they, say that NCOs are the backbone of any force, I say the ones who actually perform the day to day missions are the ones who hold this military together.

Response by CMSgt Lloyd French made Feb 14 at 2017 7:58 AM

CMSgt Lloyd French — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 07:58:51 -0500

An NCO immediately loses three words out of his/her vocabulary..."I" and "me" and "my"...and learns to get their arms around the "we" and "us" and "our" words. They take on their greatest responsibility...to train their replacements...and set the example for leadership, caring, and sacrifice. They learn the difference between a behavior problem and a character problem and act accordingly. They will stand for no character problems in their midst and will do everything legally possible to usher them out of our Nation's service. The NCO will always be squared away and five minutes early for anything. Their word is their bond. They will seek training, education, and diverse jobs to become an asset to their team, their organization, and to the US. They celebrate with robust moderation, they fight with fear, bravery, and resolve, and they sleep only when others are rested. The following day, they do it all again...a little longer, a little better, and a little more passion.

Response by SSG Arthur Williams made Feb 14 at 2017 8:51 AM

SSG Arthur Williams — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 08:51:16 -0500

MORE RESPONSIBILITY, MORE DUTY

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 10:02 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 10:02:46 -0500

To be the best that I can be to lead, develop, protect or kick ass those that are placed under my care. That is the greatest responsibility one can get in the military.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 11 at 2018 11:31 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 11 May 2018 11:31:08 -0400

Being a Leader, Teacher, Mentor, Counselor- pretty much what you would expect from a real good father.

Response by Cpl Phillip Brame made Mar 22 at 2019 3:44 AM

Cpl Phillip Brame — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 03:44:13 -0400

Has anyone here ever read the NCO creed? No more no less.

Response by SSG Conrad Sylvestrelamb made Mar 19 at 2022 11:27 AM

SSG Conrad Sylvestrelamb — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 11:27:01 -0400

None Commission Officer , backbone of Army. Read the NCO Creed that says all . Young NCOs tend to over do trying to impress others. Had incident in Iraq ,young E7 walks up what you doing with a toothpick in your mouth ask your walking. Piece of crap got stuck mind still in DFAC I replied SGT I am and NCO step off you have brestmilk on your breath. He got pissed. I told him step outback . Lock his ass outside

Response by 1SG James Kelly made Feb 20 at 2023 7:19 AM

1SG James Kelly — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 07:19:10 -0500

I talk to God and he (CSM) answers.