Letter from an NCO: What do the NCOs think of this?

SGT(P) Crystal Marie France — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 18:12:14 -0400

Tonight is another night that I can not rest. My anxiety is keeping me awake. The reason for that is because though everyone of us takes advantage of why we are here, at least once a week in my conscience it haunts me. I am here for one reason really. That is to protect and defend. I know I complain too much sometimes and sometimes I am way too emotional. This is why I am writing this letter to you, my leaders, my mentors. I am not perfect by any means though it hurts that I am not. Today I was inspired by a speech that the senator of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger gave at a college graduation. He said nothing that you accomplish is effortless. He said he had been told all his life that he would never do half the things that he has accomplished. It is all about preserverance. Just like many people in this organization and the world I have dealt with things one couldn't imagine. I do not look for pity nor understanding really. I look for leadership. I need to know how to be a better leader. I want to know how to make soldiers trust me, confide in me. I need to know what I must do to be considered a Leader, a mentor, a Non commissioned officer. One thing I do know is I love being a NCO and that I do not know it all. Effectiveness is probably the most important thing a NCO could posses. I want to empower soldiers, motivate them. I want to mold them. My point is I have let too much stand in my way thus far. I need leaders who will criticize me, who will be blunt and tell me when I falter so that I can mold these civillians into Soldiers, the protectors of our freedoms and liberties. I want to live the creed.
-An NCO
I call it an NCO's request.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 5 at 2015 6:14 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 18:14:58 -0400

SGT(P) Crystal Marie France I love it, well said and eloquently conveyed.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Sep 5 at 2015 6:25 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 18:25:06 -0400

You want Soldiers to trust you, to confide in you, to be a better leader....lead your Soldiers, do not drive them and by all means - share the hardships, share the risks with your Soldiers, be there when it is most dangerous, when the weather sucks, when it is cold, when it is raining & snowing and during the sand storms.

Get out there when the temperatures climb well above 110 degree, get out of the team room, get out of the office areas and check on them when they are pulling guard duty, when they pull CQ on the weekend....and call the shot, if they are not ready for promotion, talk to them as a person and let them know their shortfalls, but follow it up with a formal counseling so they know what they must accomplish....have you ever recommended a hard decision, maybe someone is not ready for an automatic promotion - in that case pursue a PA flag, when we should not allow a Soldier to reup, pursue a 9C Bar...you gotta call the shot, the hard shot...on the other end of the spectrum, if you have a Soldier that is worthy of a waiver, fight for the Soldier and support your recommendation with documented performance, get your Soldier to the career counselor so they understand options early and get them to ACS so they are counseled (early and often) on financial planning....you want them to follow you then lead them - by example, you want them to confide in you then show them you are worth your salt and be there when it is dangerous or when it really sucks to be there!

It takes real commitment to be a Leader, a Real Leader, one that Soldiers WANT to follow!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 5 at 2015 6:38 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 18:38:19 -0400

SGT(P) Crystal Marie France Great post. Welcome to RP. Look forward to seeing a lot more great discussions and posts out of you in the future. Keep them coming.

I'm of "Up Votes" for today, but I will catch up to you!

Response by SGT(P) Crystal Marie France made Sep 5 at 2015 9:14 PM

SGT(P) Crystal Marie France — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 21:14:34 -0400

Tell me what you think friends!

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Sep 5 at 2015 9:21 PM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 21:21:29 -0400

Here's a token that has encouraged me as a leader throughout the years. Hope it encourages you.

If—BY RUDYARD KIPLING

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 2:11 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 02:11:50 -0400

Very eloquently worded. Inspiring! It shows pride in being a soldier leading other soldiers! No one person has all the answers. EVERY good leader, officer, NCO or civilian, should be thinking these kinds of thought. If you think you've mastered it all then your going to be too cocky and, ironically just by thinking that you haven't mastered it. A good leader is always seeking mentoring from peers, superiors, and even subordinates. SGT France, not sure if you wrote it or posted, it but even by just posting this letter, I know you have the right stuff to be a top-notch NCO! Just one technical note: Arnold was governor (of California) not senator!

Response by SGT(P) Crystal Marie France made Sep 8 at 2015 1:24 AM

SGT(P) Crystal Marie France — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 01:24:18 -0400

So to the one person who "Hated it" may I ask why? hmmm... very interested.