CPL Franks, Paul, T.
4/1/2020
Importance Of The NCO In The United States Army
“Issue the orders, sir, and I will storm hell!” A quote made famous during the
Revolutionary War and which also exemplifies the courage and duty of the
Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Army, the quote also shows the integrity
that NCOs’ must have and the position they hold in the Army today. In order to properly
understand the importance of the Noncommissioned Officer “NCO”, in the U.S. Army we
must first look toward the history of the NCO, and what molded the NCO corps into what
it is today. Secondly, we will look at the role the NCO holds in the unit and how they are
an integral part in the training and professionalism of the soldiers in their charge. Thirdly
we will look at what makes a soldier an NCO and the characteristics that make a great
NCO.
The history of the NCO is rife with sacrifice, heroism, and gallantry, which can be
traced back to the very beginnings of the United States Army. During the Revolutionary
War, Baron Friedrich von Steuben saw the need in the Continental Army for leaders that
would encourage, teach, and lead fellow soldiers to create a more professional army, so
he wrote the “Blue Book” which would go on to be used as a guide for every soldier so
they shall be prepared for any and all obstacles they may face. After the Revolutionary
War most of the responsibilities of NCOs quickly dissolved following the creation of
West Point and their training of educated officers to oversee the troops, as a result the
“Blue Book” was used as a guide for all soldiers not just the NCO. In 1859 the role of
the army was expanded to match the growth of the American borders following the
Louisiana purchase, and the failure of local and state militias to defend against regulars
of the British Army and Native American forces. The US granted General “Mad
Anthony” Wayne a larger force to oversee Fort Jefferson, Ohio, General Wayne
modeled his force so that his NCOs once again held training and administrative
positions allowing them more privileges and responsibilities. The Modern-day NCO is a
culmination of all the Army has Learned through its long and decorated history and
none the more iconic than the NCO, whose part in the creation of the professional
fighting force we have today was most central.
Knowing the role of the NCO as well as how and why they do things is integral in
comprehending their importance in today's Army. The most basic task of any NCO is
unit readiness where they are expected to maintain soldiers to standard physically,
socially, and emotionally. NCOs are expected to execute daily operations as well as
complete any task they are given and to disseminate information given to them to the
soldiers that they are charged with. NCOs are also responsible for the training of their
soldiers through development and mentorship, soldiers should be able to look up their
NCOs to be a reliable source of information and knowledge as well as someone they
can go to if they feel they are in trouble or don’t understand something. NCOs must also
be able to properly manage their formations whether it's in combat where they need to
react quickly to negate the threat, or in garrison where they may need to help a soldier
fill out a DA form 4187 to complete their packet for Ranger school. NCOs should be
able to answer any question a soldier may have, and if they cannot they shall go find
the answer so that they and the soldier can better understand the material. The NCO
creed explains the finer points of the role of the NCO stating that, “All soldiers are
entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership.”, soldiers should expect
that their leaders will give them the best leadership possible in order to produce the next
group of NCOs to take their place.
Becoming an NCO takes certain adjustments to character, you have to be able to
differentiate from the lower enlisted so as to complete the work that needs to be
accomplished in the most efficient manner possible. A simple way to think about what
an NCO should be is, “Be, Know, Do”, of the Army leadership requirements model,
which lays out that an NCO should follow the army values, show empathy, humility, and
have a high degree of discipline. NCOs should also set the example of military bearing
and professionalism, along with being confident in whatever it may be that they are
tasked with. Whether they are giving an order during training, or reporting up the chain
of command, an NCO needs to be able to appear calm and collected no matter what
situation they may find themselves in. If a soldier is to become an NCO they must be
prepared to lead from the front and set the example for his fellow soldiers so that they
will strive to be better themselves so as to become the best possible future leaders.
In conclusion, the importance of the NCO has always started at the most basic
level, be it the beginning of the most powerful military the world has ever seen or
instilling the basic fundamentals of leadership in a private on his first few months at his
unit after basic training. NCOs will always play a critical role in the Army and the
expertise and knowledge they bring to the table is incalculable in value to anyone who
has ever asked why or how something should be done. The NCO is an invaluable asset
to the Army and will always be a major part in the nurturing and upbringing of future
professional soldiers. It's not easy becoming and NCO it takes a lot of self-sacrifice,
electing to fix your soldiers and taking extra time out of your time off of work so that your
unit will be better prepared for whatever task you are given at any time.