How long does it take to become an NCO?

This is an interesting question. In the Army now, you can be promoted around the time you hit 18 months in service if you're really burning through the lower ranks or come in as a specialist and show yourself as a capable leader early on. Is that enough time to be a capable leader? Most people are still a PFC at that point! The average time to promotion to SGT now is about 36-40 months. I was recommended a little earlier due to pushing harder and proving my eagerness to grow and learn. At first, I was a little hesitant to take on the role due to not knowing everything there was to know about intel collection, analysis, and dissemination. The MSG who was pushing me toward it explained it this way- it's not necessarily what you know currently, but your ability to adapt and learn new things in the future. That changed my view of it because most of the time I see an NCO who knows almost everything there is to know technically and tactically. Now I see leadership more as a process. Indeed this is how Army regulation defines it- as a process (ADP 6-22).

The service your in dictates how long it take for you to attain the rank of NCO however your experiences, maturity, ability to grow, willingness to learn and initiative are the limiting factors in becoming a good to great NCO.

Constantly look around at the people near you. Everyone is better at something than you are, learn the good and the bad from others examples. They are like shortcuts to becoming a better person and leader.