Should the cadence calling be left to the enlisted and NCO's?

The only time I've called cadence is when the NCO's weren't getting it done. I believe that's NCO business and it's a good way to build confidence and a warrior voice that can be heard above the din of battle. As with everything though, if the NCO's don't get it done, it becomes officer business.

This is a silly question. Everyone knows that officers aren't fast enough to keep up with the NCO's anyway. So who cares if they call cadence....no one will hear it. (Thats right I said it! Now bring it!)

OH HELL NO! O's need to stay out of the cadence business! I'm with SSG Brad Porter on this one...if your NCO's are permitting O's to call cadence ALL of the NCO's in that run - from the Top E-9 to bottom rung NCO should be lined up and B!yachi $lapped - once on each cheek!

O's - stay with the crayons! Stay outa NCO business!

Nuff said....off soapbox

Continue the big suck

Cadence is NCO business.

As long as the troops are motivated, I personally don't think it matters. With that said.... NCOS need to get out there so other don't have to do it.

My LT called cadence quite often. Not only do I think it shouldn't be a "no-go" but I think it should be a requirement. Part of calling cadence is keeping everyone in synch. To borrow a term from Corporate world, it is "Synergy". There is bonding in singing funny, or pride filled cadence, and including your Officer in on that is essential. Officers are part the platoon, and that bond/cohesion needs to be fostered with them just as much as with NCO's.

Seeing your Officers segregate themselves in every aspect leads to discontent.

That is just my opinion.

In an aviation unit (officer and warrant officer heavy), I've noticed two things. First, cadence is known by only a select few. Second, on a long, BN level or higher run, because of only a select few being skilled in the art of cadence calling, it reverts to whoever knows one gets out there and executes. While PT/cadence is usually NCO driven, if they want to be the only ones calling cadence, they need to ensure that they are on their game and capable of keeping it going throughout the whole run. If we get to a point where the NCO/enlisted level has exausted their supply of cadence and/or motivation, I have no problem with a motivated WO or Officer stepping up.

I remember as a young Platoon Leader when the Soldier responsible for PT that day didn't have a plan and I stepped up and led the morning session--it ensured that my Platoon Sergeant took responsibility for the program and never again did I have any problems with the NCO/enlisted not being prepared to lead PT.

Though it rarely happened ( can count on one hand) I had no problem with an Officer jumping out there to call PT. In fact it made one less to gaggle at the rear of the formation anyway. However, I did not allow it to go on for a long period of time. After a few minutes I simply yelled out, "Thank You Sir!", either took over myself or called out one of NCOs to take over. I feel it was a good motivator plus it allowed me to pour a little gas on any NCO who didn't like it, yet did not have their ass out there already.

It should be left to the NCOs, but let's call it what it is. We have a lot of NCOs who cannot call cadences because they don't know how to

The few times I've seen an officer get out and call cadence were on long runs after ALL NCOs had a turn, or when specifically called on (challenged) by the 1SG to do so. The latter case was pre-arranged before the run, and the officer in question was a former drill sergeant.

Never saw a problem with it in those situations. Officers shouldn't get out there as a matter of habit, but occasionally and under the right circumstances it can be a morale booster.

One thing to remember is that NCO tasks and responsibilities are technically delegated to them from the officer in charge, so while calling cadence, conducting training, etc is traditionally viewed as "NCO business," that doesn't mean an officer can't slide conduct that task or training themselves. So while it may be unusual for an officer to call cadence, it's not necessarily wrong....particularly, as @CPT David Valencia stated, in units that are officer heavy.

I was really good at calling cadence when I was in the E-ranks. Then I got into the O-ranks and had brain freeze, brain lock, and continuous brain farts.

I would run/walk beside my platoon/company but the NCO's were the cadence callers, mind readers, and generally spent their time trying to teach me the Army Way.

yes because NCO are the back bone and an officer can not train a NCO but an NCO can train a officer

Cadence may for the most part be NCO business but that doesn't mean we should tell officers to back off if they want to do it for motivational purposes during a battalion or brigade run. On more than one occasion I remember an outgoing commander singing on his final run before a COC, for example.

As a former NCO - I loved calling cadence whether run or march - it's just something that instilled and motivated me and my soldiers - I think that a lot of NCOs don't realize how many officers used to be enlisted or NCOs themselves. I say that with a caveat. I think that at a squad/platoon/company level it should be something that incorporates and bonds the young officers in the unit. I'm not saying that it should be a common day occurrence but during those fun runs and unit times I don't see anything wrong with it.
As a company commander - I always preached involvement to my PLs especially the young ones and I encouraged them to partake in the platoon events. It's team building. Once officers get past the company command and get into staff positions, and up to field grade level - sure let the NCOs handle it, but while the young LTs are still with their platoons I don't see why not. If nothing it can serve to bridge the common gap between the enlisted and officer world. We all know the commonplace events that take place - and all the LT jokes that come from the enlisted side. Why segregate them (LTs) at that level, it's a two fold benefit, one the LTs get to understand the lower enlisted side and appreciate what Soldiers go through so later on in their careers they can remember that when making decisions, two it lets the lower enlisted and NCOs understand that young officers are part of the team and not just some dumbe a$$ lieutenants or captains. Food for thought.

i see that everyone is on fire about what i said please let me make this clear that this is how i feel and that NCO's should to there job when it come to calling cadence we have to many NCO's just getting the rank and not doing what NCO's are to do but that's just how i feel

When I retire, one of things I will always remember is the cadence. Personally, I don't care who calls it (me, NCO or a O-Grade) but NCO's do need to step up and be the ones who take the lead on cadence. On a different topic, cadence these days are definitely different from when I came in, we were still calling old Vietnam/80's type of cadence. Today, I here some of the cadence and it sounds like a Pop Song :-), I don't even know what they are saying most of the time. Too complicated for me. :-) or I'm just getting too old.

The purpose of unit PT is to strengthen unit cohesion and increase motivation. If an officer "takes it" on my motivated left foot then why would I stop him/her? That would defeat the entire purpose of PT. Cadence can be sung by all regardless of rank because EVERYONE can bring something to the table to strengthen the cohesion from E-1 to O-9. As I have made a career move by seeking a commission, I would be mad as hell if someone stopped me from motivating the unit. Its counter productive and doesn't prove a thing. PT is always best when there is max participation and on a side note from an NCO perspective, you get to see if your juniors are able to step up to the challenge.

Yes; I feel like it helps us (junior enlisted) get a little more motivated when it's a peer, rather than a superior helping to motivate us. It also gives another dimension to leadership experience. I called cadence for my class in my last school and I loved it.

All ranks should be calling cadence.