Posted on Mar 28, 2018
What are some character traits that a great NCO/Leader should have? And do you have any advice you would like to share?
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In my short time in the Army, I have had few great leaders/NCOs. I am happy that I had the opportunity to serve and work with such amazing people but I'm finding out that they are the exception and not the rule. I plan on making the Army a life-long career and I really want to be the best NCO/leader possible. Any traits and advice are appreciated.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 48
The single most important thing I learned was never ask your people to do something you won't do.
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To be short and concise: If every action you both take and consider motivated is for the benefit of everyone other than yourself, then you'll be a great, effective and highly valued leader. It's all about servant leadership...putting the needs of others above your own. Easy button.
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I retired 20 plus years from the army, served in the USMC National Guard and last the US Army where I retired in 1974. Leadership is the most important part of ant organization bar none. Leading from the front and setting the example for others to follow. John Maxwell states that if you look behind you and no one is there you are out for a walk in the park. Be first in and last out in anything you do whether Family job military etc. Trust , train, educate others up and down line so you do not have do over what should have been done right the first , ROY J. TAYLOR, CW2 US ARMY RETIRED. RVN VET TWO TOURS.
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Part of the NCOs creed, as hammered in the NCO Academies world-wide is to Set the Example. LTC Charlie posted some great points too. But by setting the example, you should excel in your military appearance and decorum, follow the rules and regulations put forth by Army and your unit, and most important, lead your squad and platoon members with absolute integrity and faithfulness. Admit your weaknesses to yourself and fellow noncoms, but don't apologize to the troops. Simply improve yourself in all facets of your MOS and the non-commissioned corps.
When promoted to Sergeant E5, volunteer to attend an NCO Academy ASAP.
When promoted to Sergeant E5, volunteer to attend an NCO Academy ASAP.
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No matter what rank you have, you're still a soldier, get down and dirty just like the rest of your soldiers under you, No Fraternizing, treat all your soldiers the same! I've had plenty of toxic leaders always playing rock, paper, rank. Everything you need to know is in the Nco creed.
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I had several CO's during my time in the service, the ones that performed the best in my opinion, were the ones that came up through the enlisted ranks.
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Serve those you lead by looking after their training, equipment, and well-being.
Praise in public, correct in private.
Extend credit to others when things go well.
Take blame when they don't.
Admit your own mistakes.
Above all, serve your team.
Praise in public, correct in private.
Extend credit to others when things go well.
Take blame when they don't.
Admit your own mistakes.
Above all, serve your team.
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A good NCO's defining trait is whether or not they place their subordinate's well being before their own. As a leader your priorities of work should be: mission, subordinates, self. Generally speaking, an NCO or officer who follows that usually ends up doing the right thing. If you'd like specifics, the NCO creed is actually a mission statement saying what an NCO should be. Remember, there are lots of sergeants in the army, but NCOs are harder to find.
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COL Jon Lopey
Tony: You got that right - We learned early on in our careers that we had to accomplish the mission but taking care of your people came next. That meant putting their interests ahead of your own (e.g., first to wake up and last to go to bed, last one in the chow line, getting to know your people, and sticking up for them even when it imperiled your standing with your superiors, etc.). I have 40 years in law enforcement and it is the same concept - If you aren't willing to lay down your life for your brother or sister in uniform (military, law enforcement or citizen) you are in the wrong business. Great response...! The vast majority of USMC and Army leaders I knew espoused and lived these traits and principles and the rare ones that did not normally didn't last long. Thanks for a great post. Jon
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1LT (Join to see) A good leader makes mistakes like everyone else. Learn from your mistakes, and do not make the same mistake twice. Listen and observe from the great leaders that you have observed and emulate their actions. Good luck.
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1LT (Join to see) I don't think you need to reinvent the wheel for traits:
- NCO Creed
- Army Values
How you employ all that is the magic in the sauce and makes the NCO. Some thoughts
- take care of your soldiers. This means positive and negative. Sometimes they need an article 15.
- accomplish the mission. NCOs are the difference between success and failure in the last 100 yards, literally and figuratively.
- if you raise an issue, have a recommendation to fix it. There is enough admiring of the problem in the world.
- give accurate and sober assessments of situations. Don't blow things out of,proportion but at the same time don't sugar coat it.
- make the routine things the routine. Inventories, inspections, checklists, PCCs, PCIs.
- know that when you tell an officer "I got it", they believe you and will wander off to the next thing. Don't let them down or they will manage you.
- be the subject matter expert on your MOS and additional duties.
- NCO Creed
- Army Values
How you employ all that is the magic in the sauce and makes the NCO. Some thoughts
- take care of your soldiers. This means positive and negative. Sometimes they need an article 15.
- accomplish the mission. NCOs are the difference between success and failure in the last 100 yards, literally and figuratively.
- if you raise an issue, have a recommendation to fix it. There is enough admiring of the problem in the world.
- give accurate and sober assessments of situations. Don't blow things out of,proportion but at the same time don't sugar coat it.
- make the routine things the routine. Inventories, inspections, checklists, PCCs, PCIs.
- know that when you tell an officer "I got it", they believe you and will wander off to the next thing. Don't let them down or they will manage you.
- be the subject matter expert on your MOS and additional duties.
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Lesson: The world revolves around results
intentions, hopes and dreams, even when I put on my try-hard shoes - none of that matters if I don't accomplish the mission.
didn't sell enough [product], fired.
didn't change the oil, stranded.
lost the kid, funeral.
life is not about getting second chances, it's about being smart/lucky/good enough not to need them. This planet is not for everyone, despite how much our humanity wants it to be. You are ultimately responsible for whatever circumstances are affecting your life.
intentions, hopes and dreams, even when I put on my try-hard shoes - none of that matters if I don't accomplish the mission.
didn't sell enough [product], fired.
didn't change the oil, stranded.
lost the kid, funeral.
life is not about getting second chances, it's about being smart/lucky/good enough not to need them. This planet is not for everyone, despite how much our humanity wants it to be. You are ultimately responsible for whatever circumstances are affecting your life.
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Bearing, courage, dependability, honesty, integrity, knowledge, judgement, etc.
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Rule no1 train yourself to be the exception, go the extra 5 miles, always be prepared to adapt , let your actions speak louder than word's, and after all that . Plan like you want to save your life by saving the lives of those you command, By NEVER wasting the lives of your troops, so train those you command like you train yourself to be the exception by exceeding the standards , when I think back everyman in my squad was an expert not only on paper but in action, we did more than those around us , more everything more pt, more drills always with a higher standard in mind , which is why we were the Division's point squad and I was the pointman, because our ability was never questioned ,it was known . Grunts are known for being arrogant , some are others like myself don't have time for that we are to busy training to be the best at what we do . Example , the Pentagon conducts Squad combat readiness exercises every year , one year out of every infantry div. and marine's ,who were tested only one Infantry squad in the U.S. Military passed every test given to them . So here it is in a nutshell , the job of a great Officer/Warrant/NCO/ Leader is to complete whatever mission is given them with the Men/Women assigned to them , we train to adapt to complete the mission , the question is how well can you as a leader complete the mission with the least loss of life , some food for thought ... Yes, that squad was the one I trained and led . Proud Members of the Screaming Eagles
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It is definitely inspiring that you would reach out for such advice. That alone says a great deal about you. I was always an officer who made every effort to learn from my NCOs. Every time I joined a unit, I gravitated to the senior NCO, because I knew they had the heartbeat of the Soldiers in their hands and the knowledge about the unit that I needed to know. Rarely, if ever, did the senior NCOs let me down.
Over the years, I found qualities in those senior NCOs that I not only learned from, but was able to use as a leader myself. I hope some of this advice will help you in your career as well.
1) When in charge, take charge. When in support, be supportive. Just because you are a leader, doesn't mean you have to be in charge all of the time. Know when to lead and when to follow.
2) You are a Soldier 24/7. This is never more true than when you are a leader. Be prepared to put in the long hours to ensure your Soldiers are taken care of and the mission is accomplished.
3) Put your Soldiers before yourself. Never ask your Soldiers to do anything that you wouldn't do yourself. If you are unwilling to get your hands dirty, don't expect your Soldiers to. Lead by example.
4) Be compassionate when you need to be compassionate. Be firm, when you need to be firm. And be diplomatic when you're dealing with leaders that outrank you. You can stand your ground with a superior as long as you have facts to back up your argument, you are honest and you are respectful.
5) Never ever bring a complaint to your superiors without also bringing a viable, well thought out solution.
6) Get to know your Soldiers. They are your family. You are responsible for them. Make sure you have their 6. If you do, I guarantee they will have your's.
7) As frustrating as it may be at times, you will spend 95% of your time on 5% of your Soldiers. That being said, don't forget about the Soldiers that are doing great and don't need your attention all of the time. They still need your attention and a pat on the back can go a very long way.
8) Listen.
9) Admit when you are wrong. Admit it to your superiors, admit it to your Soldiers and admit it to yourself. And you can take the blame even when its not your fault. Sometimes, leaders just want someone to blame. If you say you will take the blame even though you didn't do it, you will find a leader will realize that pointing a finger is not nearly as important as solving the problem.
10) Be humble. Don't chase NCOERs or awards. Chase opportunities to excel, to lead, and to mentor the next generation of Soldiers.
These are just a few suggestions, but I do hope they help. Good luck in your career and I wish you the very best.
Over the years, I found qualities in those senior NCOs that I not only learned from, but was able to use as a leader myself. I hope some of this advice will help you in your career as well.
1) When in charge, take charge. When in support, be supportive. Just because you are a leader, doesn't mean you have to be in charge all of the time. Know when to lead and when to follow.
2) You are a Soldier 24/7. This is never more true than when you are a leader. Be prepared to put in the long hours to ensure your Soldiers are taken care of and the mission is accomplished.
3) Put your Soldiers before yourself. Never ask your Soldiers to do anything that you wouldn't do yourself. If you are unwilling to get your hands dirty, don't expect your Soldiers to. Lead by example.
4) Be compassionate when you need to be compassionate. Be firm, when you need to be firm. And be diplomatic when you're dealing with leaders that outrank you. You can stand your ground with a superior as long as you have facts to back up your argument, you are honest and you are respectful.
5) Never ever bring a complaint to your superiors without also bringing a viable, well thought out solution.
6) Get to know your Soldiers. They are your family. You are responsible for them. Make sure you have their 6. If you do, I guarantee they will have your's.
7) As frustrating as it may be at times, you will spend 95% of your time on 5% of your Soldiers. That being said, don't forget about the Soldiers that are doing great and don't need your attention all of the time. They still need your attention and a pat on the back can go a very long way.
8) Listen.
9) Admit when you are wrong. Admit it to your superiors, admit it to your Soldiers and admit it to yourself. And you can take the blame even when its not your fault. Sometimes, leaders just want someone to blame. If you say you will take the blame even though you didn't do it, you will find a leader will realize that pointing a finger is not nearly as important as solving the problem.
10) Be humble. Don't chase NCOERs or awards. Chase opportunities to excel, to lead, and to mentor the next generation of Soldiers.
These are just a few suggestions, but I do hope they help. Good luck in your career and I wish you the very best.
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Keeping your word, if your gonna do something then do your best to go through with it. Don’t go back on it too much or your lose the trust of your soldiers. I know I am not a NCO but the ones I’ve observed and seen do the best we’re the one’s who listened and did the best they could to do what they said they were gonna do.
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I’m Navy and Marine. I help train MC O’s combat convoy operations. And they have a creed that I admire and have tried to adopt.
Mission
Men
Me
Make sure you’re accomplishing your unit misssion first.
Take care of your personnel. That starts with communications. Listen more than you speak.
Make sure they’re learning. From everything. And everyone. Same goes for you.
Me. Take care of my physical, mental and emotional health. Learn.
Mission
Men
Me
Make sure you’re accomplishing your unit misssion first.
Take care of your personnel. That starts with communications. Listen more than you speak.
Make sure they’re learning. From everything. And everyone. Same goes for you.
Me. Take care of my physical, mental and emotional health. Learn.
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My first point would be, “Mission first, soldiers always.” My second would be “Praise in public, reprimand in private.” Lastly, when my team succeeded they got the credit; when my team failed I took responsibility. Most importantly you are asking for help and advice to be a better leader!
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