Is today's Army an officer's Army?

There are many pieces to a puzzle, but all pieces are needed to make it complete. Officers and NCO'S working together can produce a outstanding organization. I agree with my fellow NCO'S that there are ever changing challenges, and the evolution of our Armed forces that challenge our influence as Non-Commissioned Officers. Nevertheless, we adapt, overcome, and as the backbone of the Army continue to accomplish our mission even if we be the lone survivor.

In what context was "NCOs don't have the power they used to have" used - decision making, troop leadership? I would hate to think that was the case.

This is a true statement...it falls back on the 600-20

This topic is like click bait, everyone has an opinion on it so they have to chime in. With that being said, we are talking about command positions not just officers. A staff officer doesn't have the same level of responsibility as a commander does. The Army has always had commanders and some form of NCO. All command positions have a Sr NCO with it. This isn't about power it is about influence. A good Sr NCO will ask for approval and then run with it. However if you don't have the commander or PLTLDR's respect you will never get anywhere. Commanders are responsible for everything the unit succeeds or fails at. So when a commander empowers his/her junior officers and NCOs it truly increases the chances of unit success. Strong NCOs take the approvals, works within his/her sphere of influence, and then put their spin on it. That is the part soldiers see. That is were respect is earned and then contributes to their sphere of influence. It isn't about who can give you an article 15 it's about doing your job, earning respect, and that may have the illusion of power to the soldiers on the outside looking in. So when soldiers see NCOs not doing their job and that leads to them getting less and less tasks. Then trying to get the job done with no respect leads to way more problems. Just my 2 cents.

Before this devolves into a debate into the difference between "power" and "authority", I recommend we define our terms. I submit the following for consideration. "Authority" is what we are given under the Constitution, laws and regulations to legally pursue mission accomplishment. It comes with great responsibility in the form of legal jeopardy. "Power" is what we build with our character, communications and will. It is morally neutral: it can be used for good or evil depending on individual motivation. It comes with even greater responsibility in that its use is judged by all, including your perception of the divine, and it's use in extremity becomes your character and reputation forever.

Under this definition, Officers wield all authority under law. NCOs build power within the framework of authority using the tools of character and will. Both groups can and often do use the authority they have to build power, and also both groups can and occasionally do misuse both power and authority.

By the way, under these definitions, Warrant Officers simply rock the world.

A good NCO is worth his weight in gold. An NCO who feels entitled because of his rank is worthless. Same for officers.

E-5s and under does all the work anyway while the offices plan and corrdinates events for the future. It’s the NCOs responsibility to make sure all the preparations are done in accordance to the training schedule. While the NCOs take charge and command their team to make sure this happens, the soldiers that are actually doing the work are the E-5s and below. But if I had to choose then it would be the NCOs of course. Just a personal opinion

If you fell powerless as an NCO CORE then perhaps this is due to a lack of confidence in yourself, because im sure that the overall NCO CORE DOES NOT FEEL THIS WAY. ALSO THIS TYPE OF THINKING BREEDS TOXICITY WITHIN THE NCO CORE, IT MAKES YOU AND OTHER SOLDIERS WHO THINK THIS WAY LOOK AT THE OFFICER CORE AS THEM AGAINST US, AND THIS SHOULD NEVER BE ASSERTED. WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER THAN WE ARE SEPERATELY, WE ALL HAVE AN IMPORTANT JOB TO DO AS SOLDIERS AND REMEMBER WE ALL TAKE OUR ORDERS FROM THE CONGRESS AS WELL AS THE PENTAGON ON DOWN TO THE MILITARY OFFICERS TO THE ENLISTED NCO'S. SO YEA, WE ARE EQUALLY POWERFUL. MSG. BATTLES 14Z RETIRED

You better believe it is true. Disheartened, disappointed, betrayed, ummm yea Officers Army alright. They need to do a top down cleaning starting at the ranks of COL, and LTC over 20 years to save money. If you would like a list I'd be happy to provide one.

I believe that the first time this sentiment was expressed it was expressed by some Decanus in the XLVII Legion.

The statement is now hoary with tradition.