Why doesn't the Army promote knowing the NCO Charge the same way they promote knowing the NCO Creed?

You will soon learn that there are so many creeds, stanzas, charges, and acronyms in the Army that you are supposed to remember that it's just impossible. I would have to spend an hour reciting creeds in the morning every day to remember all of them that apply to me. Hell, the Soldier creed has changed since I first joined and the Career Counselor Creed and Ranger Creed have two versions. If you ask me any creed today I can only recite the real Ranger Creed, and nothing else.

The reason is simple, you have a limited amount of time and resources so you invest it in what you think will stick.

Ive always been of the mindset that as long as you know WHAT the Creed means, if you UNDERSTAND it, then that's all that is needed. Reciting something doesn't always equate to knowing

What would that show, other than an ability to use rote memory to learn the words before a board?

A good NCO will embody the spirit of the creed and charge. They will know they are the backbone of the Army, that they are leaders and trainers. They will know they need to always stride to maintain tactical and mental proficiency, they will know that their officers will not have to do their jobs. Senior E4s are largely considered on how much they already possess those traits and the potential to grow and refine those ideals.

Personally, I would recommend a Soldier who was already showing these elements, but stumbled a bit on reciting the words, over someone that is good at putting on a false front of spit and polish and window dressing, who could recite the words perfectly but has not been observed ever really embodying those words on a daily basis