Posted on Aug 12, 2014
SSG Instructor/Writer
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Since I've been in, it has been an unspoken rule that no officers (warrants included) dont call cadence. There have been times where I had to run a LT off the 'mic'. Leave it to the young hooahs and NCOs to keep the company/troop/battery/det/ fired up. What say you?
Posted in these groups: Bigstock motivational concept got mot 30228101 MotivationMm cadence run marching 0011 CadenceImages 20 NCOs
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LTC Paul Labrador
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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.
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MAJ Jim Woods
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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.
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MSG(P) Michael Warrick
MSG(P) Michael Warrick
11 y
Yes NCO should be calling cadences and not the officers. It is thee job of the NCO to move troops from one place to the other !
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SSG Steamfitter/Welder
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yes because NCO are the back bone and an officer can not train a NCO but an NCO can train a officer
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CW2 Electronic Systems Maint. Tech
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11 y
I mean, In WOCS we called cadence. I also helped out during our runs in Air Assault school so it wouldn't be the same 4 NCOs out there
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SSG Steamfitter/Welder
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11 y
i understand
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LCDR Aerospace Engineering Duty, Maintenance (AMDO and AMO)
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11 y
If your officers and enlisted aren't learning from eachother, someone's derelict.
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SSG Steamfitter/Welder
SSG (Join to see)
11 y
true that sir i understand what you are saying
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SSG Adrian Ducker
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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.
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MAJ Haris Balcinovic
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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.
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SSG Steamfitter/Welder
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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
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CW4 Systems Analyst
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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.
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SSG Observer   Controller/Trainer (Oc/T)
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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.
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PO1 Michael G.
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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.
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SPC Richard White
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All ranks should be calling cadence.
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SSG Jim Handy
SSG Jim Handy
11 y
Calling cadence is NCO business
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SPC Richard White
SPC Richard White
11 y
Sorry I disagree
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