What characteristics make up the best NCOs that you have ever known?

2017-08-20T08:51:46-04:00

I know that my best NCOs were hard headed, willing to stand up to superiors, willing to learn from subordinates, and there to talk to when you needed them. What characteristics made up the men and women that were your best Noncommissioned Officers?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2017 9:22 AM

2017-08-20T09:22:27-04:00

Accountability and Ownership. Lead from the front - and when you can't - follow diligently.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Aug 20 at 2017 9:37 AM

2017-08-20T09:37:05-04:00

I've worked with some awesome NCOs over the years. When your invited to their retirement as a CSM you know you had mutual respect. When while you in the midst of post mobilization training and they've flipped you on your ass preparing you...When they share their clean socks with you after the 60th day of a 90 day exercise....when they come back and run with you after they've completed their APFT and your still working on passing yours...
When your NCO takes you to the side respectfully to advise against doing something counterproductive...sharing a hot cup of coffee as your both waiting on your Soldiers to eat first. Coming to you, an Officer on another team, to ask for assistance to get that MSM write up "tweaked" in order to get their Soldiers/ Service members the award they earned( not downgraded). An NCO that naturally lives the Be, KNow and Do of the NCO Creed. Just a couple of characteristics I can think of.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Aug 20 at 2017 10:25 AM

2017-08-20T10:25:49-04:00

An NCO that as previously mentioned, led from the front. One that always had your back, even if you screwed up. Obviously, you'd get your ass-chewing, but at the end of the day, clink a beer together and drive-on. One that let you go far enough to learn on your own, and then yanked your chain just before you'd screw up. One that wouldn't make harsh decisions based on biased feelings. One that would listen if you pointed things out. One that didn't have to remind you whom they were, and you functioned 360 as a team. One that didn't hold grudges. One that when they put on their uniform, they were someone you wanted to look up to because they'd been there and done it. One that would show you how to be an NCO, before becoming one. One that would let you take the team lead, so they could guide you. One that pushed you beyond your limits, know what you could handle, but did not yet realize... And finally, one that would as the old saying goes after "working hard", invite you over to "play hard"! These were a few of the qualities that I learned to appreciate from one or various NCOs I worked with. A tragedy, but I never got to work for my father... A man I learned many of these from before I raised my hand. The day he pinned Warrant was the same day he came out on the 8 list at 12 years. I know he would have been one of the best CSMs the Army had had he gone that route - simply in leading by example. He chose the retirement for my mother in case anything ever happened to him... Today in retirement, at almost 70 and broken down after 13 operations, he still works like an NCO and I have to tell him to slow down, let me handle it now Pop... Sorry for my sentimental ending but he will always be the one whom I want to live my life like, though a Warrant, an NCO that never quit! Peace my fellow Brothers and Sisters - may we each have a blessed day! Thank you SGT Gunderson, great question...

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Aug 20 at 2017 11:35 AM

2017-08-20T11:35:43-04:00

The best NCOs and SNCOs I served under and with (and hopefully the kind I became) always treated people above and below them with respect. They were there to offer encouragement and set the example, but also there to get you back on the right path if you strayed a bit off course. And they always served as a buffer between the officers and the enlisted men. Although I did come across a few that were far from what I have described here.......I was fortunate to have served with some outstanding NCOs and SNCOs during my ten years in the Marines (some damned fine officers too).

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 20 at 2017 2:03 PM

2017-08-20T14:03:20-04:00

Truly leading from the front, in peacetime, during deployments and combat. Technically and tactically proficiency. Caring and understanding, able to inspire men and women to reach deep inside and find the courage and strength to endure any ad all hardships. Humility!

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Aug 20 at 2017 3:06 PM

2017-08-20T15:06:03-04:00

I'll agree with "hard headed & willing to stand up to superiors". Most of the best NCO's I served under, SFC's & 1SG's especially, were constantly 'running interference' by working/dealing with higher-ups so that *we* could focus on our job and get it done without mounds of needless headache.

On top of that, they knew their stuff inside & out, and they weren't afraid to teach it to their Soldiers. One of my best squad leaders liked to remind us that "You aren't successful as a leader until your subordinates can do your job."

In addition, they weren't self-proclaimed a$$holes. They were stern when they needed to be, they'd jump your butt in a heartbeat in you royally messed up, and they didn't feel the need to be a tyrant to *prove* they were in charge. We all knew they were the boss, we respected them, and we listened.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 20 at 2017 6:58 PM

2017-08-20T18:58:04-04:00

Outside of my platoon Sergeant SFC Aubrey Smith,the absolute best were the NCOs that were my instructors at the NCO Academy Ft.Hood Tx upon my return from Vietnam,as I was ordered to attend and had a bad attitude on arrival, they soon by example changed my mind on becoming an NCO I have had many jobs and experiences later on in life and their training and instruction was life changing and upon my return to Ft.Polk for the Sergeant's board I had no problems in any area covered thanks to them.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 20 at 2017 7:39 PM

2017-08-20T19:39:36-04:00

I will say that the NCO's that helped me the most, were the ones that were able to help my pull my head out of my a@@, while thinking it was my idea! No officer, believes they would be, or have gotten to where they did, without good NCO's. Thank you all!!!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 21 at 2017 8:04 AM

2017-08-21T08:04:15-04:00

Does being my Father count? He lived his life to his standards and beliefs, I never saw him ask someone to do anything he wouldn't or couldn't do himself, and pushed my dumb and sometimes unwilling young ass to achieve beyond what he had achieved. He lead from the front and took care of his people. I didn't always appreciate his guidance.
The other was my Senior Drill Instructor, SSG Micheal Priestly. The only way I know how to describe him is that he was one Strac, as in Straight Tough and Ready Around the Clock.