Is today's Army an officer's Army?

Like many of us here on Rally Point, I've been junior enlisted, NCO, and officer. I've even been that shadowy semi-warrant know as the Spec. 6. I'm not sure if those are qualifications to comment, but having been on the internet all day I do know that qualifications have little to do with comments in general (I have not been a general). First of all, "power" is a nebulous term. The only power anyone in the U.S. Army has is granted by government mandate, regulation, or permission of a superior. This is usually based on rank and position. Officers have specific duties and responsibilities that NCOs don't . Likewise, NCOs perform and oversee functions that officers may direct but do not need to get personally involved with. Things can go wrong for a variety of reasons that we don't have the space to discuss. Now, it took me a minute to get comfortable with officer business. I still thought like an NCO, "Do it like this." "Let me show you how that works." . Through some good guidance and self-realization, I began to understand that officers are more mission-oriented. This is not to say that they do not care about anything else, but the mission must be the primary focus of an officer. That's what they are commissioned to do. Officers must PLAN. They work out the logistics, manpower, scheduling, and training requirements of achieving an desired end-state. Whether the end-state is garrison-simple or combat-complex does not matter, it is the officer's responsibility to make sure that the NCO has everything he or she needs to EXECUTE the plan and that the end-state is achieved. If NCOs have been promoted to soon, if they have shown that they cannot effectively execute (and it isn't because they are commanded by a buffoon), if they do not have the strength of will and character to lead, then the officer may have to step in. Officers do not usually get do-overs, and this makes some of them very nervous. Your really good NCOs have a knack for giving their officers a warm fuzzy feeling about how things are going. I agree that in recent times, officers have had to get in the weeds too much, but the why is that? Do we promote the best leaders to NCO ranks, or anyone who checks the blocks? Do officers have people that can be trusted to execute? Would we get better results if officers would just let the NCOs run with the plan, only providing guidance when needed to stay on track? Maybe. Thing is, it's not an "officer's Army" exactly. It's the U.S. Army, and everyone has a role and certain responsibilities. Serve with pride and try to be the best at what you do. You might be surprised at how much power that gives you.

Ask an E-9.

Officers have the power but in my 18 years, they are lead by strong NCOs to assist in planning and executing the intent. As a current First Sergeant, I do my best to get the commander in a position to be promoted, with the intent of taking care of the next commander the same way.

At the end of the day experience wins. Going from an nco to corporate america. Any business can suffice without a ruler but no business can survive without a worker. College degrees can be bought but work ethic cannot.

I always thought of it as O's are strategic thinkers (planning, support, budgets, etc.), NCO's are tactical (training, fitness, equipment, etc). Each corps has a distinct role - both vital to the accomplishment of the mission. I have not experienced either wanting to take-over the other's role.

You all are wrong. The E4 Mafia runs the Army. The officers make up paper work, the NCOs regurgitate what's on the paperwork and the the E4 mafia makes and executes the real plan while at dental.

Officers plan, NCO's do. It's a two headed coin. One does not accomplish the mission without the other. That simple.

Power in the US Army should be a discussion in regards to firepower, torque, HP, or Gen Set capacity. All "power" comes from doctrine, policy, and according laws and regulations. To even discuss who has greater power is akin to asking who has a bigger dick. It's just stupid. Officers state the mission the NCO's make it happen it's that simple. As far as power in leadership, be an actual leader and your soldiers will empower you beyond what you knew possible....

Our NCO corps has ebbed and flows. As the COL in the first post says if a CSM, 1SG, PSG said it you could be assured it came from the commander. At one of the ebb periods in the late 1970s an ADA Officer friend was in an exercise in Holland. There was a meeting and when it broke the American LTs started scurrying around prepping to move there units to the next day’s locations. The Brit LTC can out with map in hand, called “Sergeant Major” who immediately reported - he then pointed to the map and said, “Sergeant Major” (appropriate accent, of course) “We are here. Tomorrow morning at 0500 I want to be here(another point) prepared to engage the enemy.” SGM, “Aye-Aye, suh!” That was two things - a perfect example of a Mission Order and the difference between a NCO run and a junior officer run army. I’ve been out 27 years but still work with the Army. My impression is that NCOs are doing what NCOs do much more widely than 45 years ago.

What this translates to is that NCO’s are upset that they can’t punish troops like in the old days...no more tree line or IT...granted I’ve been out for about 8 years but that being said there is more then one way to skin a cat