Do you think NCO leadership is the same as it was 10-15 years ago?

I can't answer that because I've been separaed more than 15 years. However, I'd like to believe not much has changed in the long run. One of the reasons I like RallyPoint is I get a military perspective, and the responses I read are well thoughtout and the majority are better informed than my shipmates of the past. However, I've matured considerably over this time, and I'm far more engaged in the political process than when I served. I'm now a student of history and my responses reflect my current understanding. The one overwhelming difference I see in today's military is a broader ethnic mix and more women serving. I also believe it is vital to give an NCO responsibilities to so they can develope better leadership skills. I also believe you earn the privlege to be given responsiblities and all promotions should be based soley on your abilities and not your ethnicity or gender. To do otherwise would be counter productive, and this is one of my primary concerns.

As an NCO that returned to service in 2004 after a 15 year break in service, I think I have a unique perspective here.
While I can't Speak for the other services, as their leadership dynamics are vastly different, I believe my beloved Army is Leadership Paralyzed and Defunct because of administrative, meaningless minutia. Being a leader was better before computers and the internet. And it's created a worthless sector and budgetary black-hole for the people contracted to create the nonsense the NCO Corps is now overburdened by.
Combine this with Officers' now only means of making a name for themselves is strict adherence to this crap, not rocking their OER boat, and CSMs more concerned with being their BC's friend than his Senior NCO. Also the DoD, Congress and senior leadership, continue to make budget cuts with the path of least resistance...SMs and their families. Because soldiers aren't built in 26 different congressional districts. We used to fix good soldiers that made mistakes. Because what 18-21 yo doesn't screw up? Now, screwing up is the easiest way to get rid of the next "budget cut". Think of the resource(the training, the potential, THE EXPERIENCE) you are losing, simply because they want an easy metric for force reduction. It was a common joke you had to have at least two DWIs to make CSM. How do you think their peers view you after that? Impotent, that's how. Even if you truly care about them, it's meaningless if you aren't seen as someone that can fight for them.
That's my two cents.

I was in the PX one day, and heard a SGT complaining. He was obviously overweight, and he said, "I'm tired of being an E-5. E-5 is the new E-4." I don't know what kind of soldier or NCO he was, but just looking at him, and hearing what he said really summed up the problem that I have seen with NCO development.

No, the NCO Corps has lost its way along with our senior GOs. The GOs have crawled under the Obama tent and allowed our Army to continue its downward slide. Case in point, Bergdahl CM should have been completed over a year ago but due to GEN Milley and other like him they have allowed this CM to be deferred now for over two years and it looks as though they will delay until Obama leaves office.

SSG P I agree with you and things will not get any better as long as the current SMA is in the seat. Until we have leaders who understand the true meaning of leadership our forces will continue to suffer. Soldiers will maintain the mind set of entitlement. Reducing an experienced force by changing the RCP and not promoting those who truly deserve to be promoted in my opinion is a dishonor to the NCO creed.

I have been out for 20 years now, so to answer this question is impossible and be accurate. I will go on record that any problems in the military can be fixed if E-6- E-9 will do there job to the best of their ability and forgo the politics. E-9 and E-8 keep the officers from messing up policy and enforce E-6 and E-7 to keep the mission rolling. E-6 and E-7 make things happen or not. If the Senior NCO's are doing their job, officers will gain respect and put trust and authority in them in most cases.

No, but the military culture shifts every 10 or 15 years. I saw many changes during my 30+. Remember we take an oath to uphold the laws of those appointed over us-when we cannot we retire or ETS.

Absolutely not! Has everyone not heard that it is a kinder more gentle Army now days. The Chain of Command expects the NCO's to handle their Soldier's but gives them nothing but a piece of paper and a threat of extra duty or discharge if the behavior continues to happen. In my last unit I had to call my Soldier every morning to make sure he was awake before formation because he had difficulty being to formation on time. I counseled him multiple times on the issue and asked if he needed to see a doctor...he just stayed up to late and didn't wake up in time. Lazy...CSM told me it was MY responsibility to ensure he made it on time from now on and if I had to go to his room every morning and wake him up that was fine with him...what the heck is that? My NCO's smoked the crap out of me for me being late one time and I have to say it didn't happen again...they each took turns. Was it embarrassing, yes! Did it suck? Yes! Did I learn from it? Yes!!!

I was told by my son that the NCO'S of day are very relaxed and they are scared to make a person do something because to busy being there friend.

NO !