Posted on Jun 13, 2016
I want to become an NCO in the National Guard. What should I do in my career to do so?
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11B: Infantryman
Army National Guard
Career Advice
NCOs
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 25
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A few pieces of advice:
1) Make extra effort on your uniform every time you wear it, even in the field (bring shoe polish to the field?)
2) Set the example by trying the hardest.
3) Be the first to arrive and the last to leave at drill.
4) When CIB testing comes up, take it seriously, study, and out perform your peers.
5) If your battalion has a soldier of the month/quarter competition, ask to be selected for it.
6) Keep a positive attitude and show it with enthusiasm, a cheerful demeanor, and a serious demeanor when appropriate.
7) Be attentive to your leaders.
8) If the troops you hang out with during down time whine, complain, or show a bad attitude, find others to hang with.
9) Tell your NCO's that you want to be a sergeant. They may joke with you about it, but most leaders are looking for willing troops to mentor and will be happy to do so.
(Yes, I know that I was a Chemical Captain, but I was an Infantry Sergeant before that)
1) Make extra effort on your uniform every time you wear it, even in the field (bring shoe polish to the field?)
2) Set the example by trying the hardest.
3) Be the first to arrive and the last to leave at drill.
4) When CIB testing comes up, take it seriously, study, and out perform your peers.
5) If your battalion has a soldier of the month/quarter competition, ask to be selected for it.
6) Keep a positive attitude and show it with enthusiasm, a cheerful demeanor, and a serious demeanor when appropriate.
7) Be attentive to your leaders.
8) If the troops you hang out with during down time whine, complain, or show a bad attitude, find others to hang with.
9) Tell your NCO's that you want to be a sergeant. They may joke with you about it, but most leaders are looking for willing troops to mentor and will be happy to do so.
(Yes, I know that I was a Chemical Captain, but I was an Infantry Sergeant before that)
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MSG (Join to see)
CPT John Sheridan , all excellent points....minus part of #1 as we no longer have to shine boots.
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CSM Charles Hayden
'Desert Strike", 1964's huge FTX trained troops to polish boots to prevent them cracking in/on the Mojave Desert.
At a 6th Army CDR's call in 1980, the 6th Army NCO of the year acted like a broken record. That SSG told everyone in attendance that he wanted to be a 1SG, repeatedly!
At a 6th Army CDR's call in 1980, the 6th Army NCO of the year acted like a broken record. That SSG told everyone in attendance that he wanted to be a 1SG, repeatedly!
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Education, education, education... Civilian and military education/training. High score on PT tests and weapons qual. This is the most effective way of receiving promotions, outside of doing the common sense soldiering (uniform, doing what you are told, etc.).
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Stand out! As a young Soldier you should focus on learning everything you can from the leaders around you, good and bad. Most importantly, you need to seek out self improvement. If you are not enrolled in college, you need to be. Getting a college education fast is the best way for you to stand out, as well as knowing your job and the job above you as best you can. Be the Soldier that is always there, is always ready and is always hungry to learn.
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SPC (Join to see) I recommend taking to heart what the members have advised you to do. My personal recommendation to you is that, don't be a toxic solider nor a passive joe that waits around to be told, anticipate what is being asked from you and place your best foot forward. Listen to the NCO's no matter how wrong they are and take it as an advise or an experience on how to better yourself when you finally get your stripes!
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The basics such as doing the right thing, doing PT, SSD, BLC and so on are expected of you. Do what is not expected of you. Those you must do whether or not you plan to take your career to the next level or not. Take charge before you become an NCO. Learn and ask to learn how to train junior enlisted. Learn a task to the best of your ability and train that task. Then go to your next task and so on. Ask for mentorship from Senior NCOs as you progress in leadership roles. Seek out career enhancing schools early in your career. Some courses are meant for certain grades and you may miss the chance to take it.
Here is a good starting reference: http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/STP_1.html STP 7-11B1-SM-TG & STP 7-11B24-SM-TG
Here are some more references:
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/ATTP_1.html All apply to your job.
If you can master your job fast and learn how to train others while meeting all other standards you will off to a great start. Good luck!
Here is a good starting reference: http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/STP_1.html STP 7-11B1-SM-TG & STP 7-11B24-SM-TG
Here are some more references:
http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/ATTP_1.html All apply to your job.
If you can master your job fast and learn how to train others while meeting all other standards you will off to a great start. Good luck!
STP- Army Doctrine and Training Publications
Official Department of Army (DA) administrative publications and forms managed by the United States Army Publishing Directorate APD. Utilizing the latest technologies producing high quality downloadable electronic pubs and electronic forms view U.S. Army Regulations and DA Forms.
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Do what is told of you, get your education, complete ssd1, go to BLC, maintain good pt
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All the advice given is great. Get your ssd1 out of the way. Get BLC before you get out. Show up on time right uniform and be ready to lead. That's how I did it. Maintain a good physical readiness. Never lose the infantry mind set. Train to standard and not time.
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