Why become an NCO? What was your first time being one like?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 17:37:03 -0400

I know the NCO creed, but I'm asking about your personal perspective. I specifically joined the rally point to ask this question because I'm not sure about myself, and I see there are a lot of veterans on here.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jul 24 at 2018 5:46 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 17:46:09 -0400

Being an NCO is your first chance to actually give back to the army that made you the person that you are. Holding that position give you the right, the mission, the almost sacred task of training and producing the very same soldiers who you will one day have to trust with taking up the mantle of leadership in the military. At the same time, you too are being groomed by your superiors to take up their torch. It is an honor to serve as an NCO.

Response by SGT Ej P. made Jul 24 at 2018 5:52 PM

SGT Ej P. — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 17:52:46 -0400

If you have plans on staying in and have that job security then becoming a Sergeant is the only other way to that path. Being an NCO is something that you need to dig deep because it means you will be responsible for Soldiers' lives more so than not. I didn't have any subordinates for over a year when I got my stripes (I was the subordinate) but I've learned from when I was a SPC... If the military is just a stepping stone then it's all up you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2018 5:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 17:56:04 -0400

For me it's all about being able to help those that are getting their feet wet in the military. Able to take them under your wing and mold and foster a cohesive and morale section who will want to work because you can make it fun.

My whole career I've lived by "work hard, play hard" and it shows. Gives Soldiers a light to see that's it's not all about working.

Response by SSG Kristell Lee made Jul 24 at 2018 6:10 PM

SSG Kristell Lee — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 18:10:30 -0400

I wanted to guid soldiers. I wasn't happy with my leadership or the way they were caring about the troops, so I became an NCO Soni could guide them and be there for them. I also had my standards and I would push them too, just lollygagging did not work for me.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 24 at 2018 6:17 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 18:17:03 -0400

I was ordered by my training range Officer to the NCO Academy shortly after arriving at Ft.Polk as an instructor, wasn’t my idea ,as a Spec 4 life was pretty good, but I did find his decision really changed my life from then on,I was forced to really learn my trade and impart that knowledge to the Soldiers going to where I had been,I am grateful for the opportunity given to me.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Jul 24 at 2018 6:39 PM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 18:39:42 -0400

I am a medic and part of my job is to instruct CLS or TC3 to other soldiers. The more personnel who know first responder stuff, the better, especially for a deploying unit. I liked teaching, being a mentor, shaping these guys and gals to be confident in emergency care skills and in themselves if crap ever really hits the fan. Answering their questions of what if my battle buddy goes down, what do I do?" I let them know that it may happen, but suppress the enemy, secure the area, take care of your battle, TQ high and tight if need be, etc. After class, they understood what intervention to use and when and in what situation. I needed them to understand, for themselves, for each other, and for me (who treat the medic when the medic goes down?). That 'aha' moment they understand what a pressure dressing is used for versus a tourniquet, is what great that they knew and I came away sensing I accomplished something.

Being an NCO is much like that; mentorship, enforcing standards, discipline, ensuring those around you (and not just your specific soldiers) have a clear understanding of objectives and how to accomplish the mission or task. It goes beyond that though, not just army stuff. I have helped soldiers prepare for a college entrance exam, study for the board, tutored with math or computer homework, offered to help when their spouse goes into labor, cooked chicken soup when their family is sick with the flu, etc. And yes, I even had to be the 'bad guy' and discipline soldiers for failure to follow standards, regulation, and whatnot, even for tactless communication and lack of military bearing. Being an NCO is both rewarding and demanding, but to me it is worth it because at the end of the day I know I did something positive. I helped someone. Be it they pass a class, or they know how to properly clean a rifle, or I had to discipline them for being late (better I discipline them versus the platoon sergeant)...I made a difference, no matter how minute.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2018 6:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 18:50:11 -0400

I wanted to be the change I wanted to see in my unit. I had a few good leaders such as my Squad Leader(who later became my Platoon Sergeant) and a small handfuls of other NCOs, but that was as far as it went. NCOs were abusing their ranks to get out of tasks, PT, and duties, etc.,and it just didn’t sit right with me. When I got my stripes I vowed to emulate the few good leaders I had and mold myself to be the NCO I always needed so that way my soldiers can learn from me and become good leaders too. It’s all what you put into it.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 24 at 2018 8:37 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 20:37:50 -0400

I went from E-1 to O-6 having to choose either E-5 or O-1 in '76. There are a number of creeds out there amongst the services a for various ranges of ranks and specialties. Take a look at some through Google. First notice there are some common aspects. Creeds center on what you are, how you behave, and what's important. These different creeds are designed to help the SM focus on the most critical aspects of responsibility and leadership. It's a big deal in the Army to excel at your job, not be a burden, and make sure you take care of your folk. If you look at it, if everyone around you is focusing on their applicable creed, the job gets done and people live.
Back in my time, hitting E-4 wasn't as focused creed wise as the current one you're looking at. It had a lot to do with the primary focus being on my technical specialty skill and as part of an integrated ship's warfighting crew. I had to be very skilled to jinx those inbound Styx missiles. Got scary realizing I was the only one keeping 276 men out of Davey Jones Locker, but that feeling came afterwards. The "scary" went away when the Skipper bought a cup of coffee into my Electronic Warfare shack for me and said "Not bad Ball, not bad at all."
What I'd say to anyone looking at what it means to move up and wondering if you have the grits is this. Life is rather boring if you're not moving forward, taking some risks, and helping others. Worry less about what you may be able to do and focus more on discovering how far you can go. If you get up every day moving forward, it'll be one hell of a ride and you'll do things you never dreamed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 24 at 2018 8:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 20:50:01 -0400

SPC Dennis,

An NCO is a special breed of individuals whom have been given the opportunity to pass on and develop those new to the Army. Becoming an NCO, whether it be CPL, SGT or simply continuing on the path through the Corps, has many different meanings to each and every person. As a young PFC I was introduced to many "toxic" leaders and was quickly taught what not to do. Witnessing and experiencing this hardship, a sense of purpose and drive was established deep into my heart to provide those around me with the best leadership that I possessed within my abilities.

As an NCO, I have been provided with the opportunity to provide and influence those around me through a variety of means; primarily that of Direct Contact. Through this contact I have been able to instill within those that I meet the best qualities of every leader I have possessed while diminishing the possibilities for them to learn bad qualities or to learn "the hard way". I cannot sit here and proclaim that I am some awesome person and leader as I have my downfalls, just as anyone, but I will say it is an experience that has made me love the Army more. As a buck SGT, your going to make mistakes and in all honesty regardless of how long you have been in or what your rank, THERE WILL BE MISTAKES. Just accept it, move on and learn from it while your soldiers learn with you.

All I can say is to look at this opportunity as your way to directly influence those coming up in the Army. It is your chance to make sure they are better off than you were, it is your chance to influence the leaders of tomorrow, and it is your chance to leave your mark on the largest and most powerful military force in the world. Those of us who currently serve in the capacity of the role of an NCO can only do so much as we continue to progress however, we can facilitate someone such as yourself to excel far beyond that of what we have already achieved and continue to watch the leaders of tomorrow develop. Take the torch Soldier, Lead the Charge SGT, stand tall and be the NCO you have been molded to be.

SGT Vereecke

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 24 at 2018 10:06 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 22:06:16 -0400

If you like responsibility and think you can help folks to reach their goals and teach them how to stay alive the go for it. The 1st step is always the hardest. Me, I had seen great NCO's and a few losers, I wanted to be a great NCO- so I take every school/correspondence course I could, and then stuck my nose out. It worked, or at least my troops and superiors said it did.

Response by SGT Charles Clemons made Jul 24 at 2018 10:20 PM

SGT Charles Clemons — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 22:20:58 -0400

Hadta get promod to have a life. Co cdr gave me up to drive for the Bn Cdr,299th FSB Ft.Hood . Hadta drive 6 days/wk. Shortly after getting promoted i suffered partial amputation of lwr rt forearm. After initial rehab,I was put in charge of mgng the HazMat pt for 1st Cav in charge of all the screwups. Got the 1stSgt to move me to Asst in Supply for the Change of Command inventory where I learned alot and started realizing I Could still be productive, even though my dom. hand took over a year before I could use it again. Shout out to my Doc of that time Major Peterson performed a miracle to save my hand. Severed 10 tendons,2 nerves and an artery.
Ty Army for lettin me remain productive for 9 yrs after that til further injuries made me choose to leave service after Kosovo.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2018 12:28 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 00:28:27 -0400

My favorite promotion and the one that made me the most proud was pinning on SGT stripes. It was the first promotion that really felt earned (points were high) and going from SPC to being an NCO in a group of 40 something soldiers that I suddenly outranked was a challenge and experience I’ll never forget. Loved the day to day NCO business of helping and leading soldiers.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 25 at 2018 5:32 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 05:32:48 -0400

I wanted to be a positive influence in someone’s life. After I joined the military I found that so many people cared, they were truly invested in who I was and who I was to become. It was not always covert action, it was often subtle in comment or deed that I felt their influence on my daily activity. Soon I vegan to feel their influence even when I was off duty. I slowly grew into this Sokdier, from a civilian. Don’t get me wrong, I thought of myself as a good person before I joined. But suddenly I was in a world where I committed my very life to a cause, a cause of freedom. These people who were influencing me and shaping me into a Soldier and an even better person were Non-Commissioned Officers. I am the first to admit that they were all not stellar, but they all served and were prepared to give their lives, and they all influenced me. This is the core of who I became, and I every time I assisted, guided, supported Soldiers and their Family members I remembered their faces and their voices. I will not drone on, it was the influence, the care and compassion in the midst of chaos that made me want to do the same. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2018 1:31 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:31:08 -0400

I wanted to help junior Soldiers in their professional development. I was a SPC for a hot minute and saw a lot of bad leadership to the point where I was ready to call it quits. After I PCS'd to my current unit, I was reinvigorated to push forward. I wanted to pass on all that I had learned and help guide junior Soldiers to achieving their goals.

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Jul 26 at 2018 10:38 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 22:38:42 -0400

Becoming an NCO is an opportunity to go from being a follower to a leader and mentor. You are still a "doer" when it comes to getting the job done, but as an NCO you are now involved at a much higher level. You are also responsible for training, teaching & guiding the military's next generation - and that is no minor matter.

When I became an NCO, everything was a near-vertical learning curve; but it was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. The skills I learned as an NCO I still apply on regular basis to this very day.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 31 at 2018 9:32 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 09:32:05 -0400

Everyone's experience will differ, so keep that in mind when people illustrate what their initial experiences were with being an NCO. For me, it was not a hard transition, as I had had years of experience filling roles traditionally done by E5s and E6s. Although having people stand at parade rest for me was odd at first.

You have to ask yourself if you can (or want to) provide leadership, training, and guidance, and if the answer is yes, then becoming an NCO is what you should aspire to be. If not, then don't; however, the Army wants to develop leaders, and you're career will be curtailed; eventually it becomes "up or out". For the technically proficient who aren't interested in the authority and responsibility of the NCO ranks, the old specialist rank system I would support bringing back, but that won't happen, so ask those questions of yourself, and proceed accordingly.

Response by SGT Chris Flint made Sep 1 at 2018 12:05 PM

SGT Chris Flint — Sat, 01 Sep 2018 12:05:39 -0400

In my day you had to walk the walk and do the deed it was scary
Leaders aren’t born they are made
I have always believed you have to care about who you lead
Troops can understand some shortcomings they don’t forgive or forget you not caring about them

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2018 2:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 14:00:52 -0500

The first three years of my career were filled with bad leaders from the top down. I had to figure a lot of stuff out on my own through trial and error, and I never wanted other Soldiers to experience what I did. Just remember: you learn from both the bad and the good.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2018 9:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 21:14:40 -0500

Being an NCO is a huge responsibility and carries various challenges as well as difficulty. As a new NCO you could be bombarded with the task of figuring it all out. I have a wise beyond his years SSG for a mentor. He told me to learn something from all of my superiors good/bad. Take the good and incorporate it into your leadership style to better yourself and in turn better your soldiers. Carry the negative lessons with you to keep you humble and grounded. Never forget where you came from and the work you put in to get there. Just because your of higher rank that doesn’t make you better than anyone else. Treat your soldiers right be firm but fair. Being an NCO is stressful at times but it equals out when you see the progress your soldiers are making from the support and assistance you gave them. It’s a great experience although not everyone is meant for this purpose.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2019 12:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2019 12:35:27 -0500

This a little older post however, it’s something I saw. I will say this becoming an NCO a buck sgt if you will I will say it’s the best job in the army. It’s where the rubber meets the road. You have direct impact on soldiers, you also have the chance to lead and direct them to be better than you to do show them the ropes and you are able to train them by giving hip pocket training and sgt time training. However, it’s your responsibility to make time for these things and that’s why I say you are the rubber that meets the road. You take care of your troops and in return they will take care of you.