What would you say is the most important aspect of being an NCO?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 12:27:54 -0500

I would like to know what aspects of an NCO are considered most important and why? Would leadership qualities be more desirable over good personal communication and the ability to show empathy or should they work hand in hand. Would expert technical knowledge and average physical fitness be acceptable and/or vice versa? I would like to hear your feedback

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 23 at 2014 1:03 PM

SFC James Baber — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:03:38 -0500

Be, Know, Do to me is the most important for current utilization, my constant fall back is always going to be honesty and integrity foremost for any NCO, if you can't have that nothing else really matters, if your subordinates, peers, and superiors can't trust you to be honest and doing the right thing, nothing else you do or accomplish can ever overshadow lack of integrity/honesty.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Jan 23 at 2014 1:09 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:09:29 -0500

I hope junior soldiers respond to this because I'm really interested in their perspective.

Response by MSG Rahsaan T. made Jan 23 at 2014 2:31 PM

MSG Rahsaan T. — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:31:02 -0500

Training the Soldier to be better than you when they make it to your current rank.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 23 at 2014 2:33 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:33:19 -0500

Instilling discipline and standards within the ranks, setting the example of excellence, and developing junior officers.

Response by SSG Shawn M. made Jan 23 at 2014 2:35 PM

SSG Shawn M. — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:35:35 -0500

The first two things that come to mind are setting the example and being competent enough to train soldiers to standard.

One thing that I cannot stand are NCOs that enforce do as I say, not as I do. If I'm going to tell Joe to do something it's because I am already doing it or it's something I have already done. I can't enforce uniform standards if I come in to work ate up.

The other is having the knowledge to train soldiers in your respective job/mos. As NCOs we are suppose to be experts in our related job field and be able to train soldiers on everything related to our work. Not doing this just sets our soldiers up for failure and in the end makes us look bad.

Response by SFC Michael Patterson made Jan 23 at 2014 2:42 PM

SFC Michael Patterson — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 14:42:36 -0500

My personnal stand is to try do your best as a leader. Do your best to be tactically and technically sound in all you do. If you don't know an answer for what ever reason at least know where to get it. Keep in mind right now we have alot of hardened veterans that can run circles around most on the battlefield and can bring their troopers home in one piece (most of the time). Unfortunately they can't take care of those same troopers on the admin side of being a NCO. Taking care of our Soldiers is second only to mission and one aspect of that is mentoring. Providing them with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their military careers is our charge. I know this is a bit long but the answer isn't an easy one. My advice to any young NCO is learn from the examples of your previous leaders whether good or bad and use it in your tool bag to help develop your leadership style.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2014 5:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 17:20:28 -0500

One of the most important aspect of being an NCO, is being an good NCO. What im saying is training your people the right not your way, showing them how do to it, letting them do it. Show them they can do it, but be fair. Being an NCO has many ups and downs, being able to have your soldiers come to you about problems, concerns or just to learn from you instead of going to another NCO. Showing your soldiers that you are someone who's fair and just, who undestands and can teach. Thats what being an NCO is about.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2014 5:25 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 17:25:16 -0500

Being yourself...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2014 6:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 18:30:45 -0500

I will echo the words of a former BN CSM, " It is immoral to be incompetent when soldiers lives are at stake".

Being an NCO and wearing stripes are vastly different. There are far too many NCOs that live by the " Do as I say, not as I do" mentality. They collect a paycheck and at 1700 or earlier they cut sling load on their troops and don't want to be bothered by them.

A good NCO is at work before their soldiers and leaves after them. They provide the purpose, direction, and motivation that everyday requires in order to accomplish the mission. They counsel soldier for good as well as bad and properly mentor them and prepare them for the next rank. They reflect the image of a professional NCO and uphold as well as abide by the regulations. They are experts in their field and the source of information that soldiers seek. They are approachable and willing to put personal time aside to assist their soldiers. They are firm yet fair.

Physical fitness has never been an indicator of superior leadership ability so I give no special treatment to the PT stud over the average achiever. I don't care if you can run 4 miles in 30 minutes, can you teach your soldiers how to do their job? Do you train and mentor your soldiers in both their personal as well as professional lives?

Just because your memory is good enough to win the NCO of the millennium board doesn't tell me you can develop soldiers into leaders. If you are expert marksman and your soldiers are not, what are you teaching them?

Our job as NCOs is simple, lead and train Americas sons and daughters to be tomorrow's leaders. Remember that someday they may be leading and training your sons and daughters so train them how you would train your own.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2014 7:21 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 19:21:37 -0500

This is a great question that I would like to answer in a few different ways. In my opinion the most important aspect of being an NCO depends on where exactly you as an NCO are. If you're a CPL, SGT, or SSG you are where the metal meets the meat. You interact daily with our most prized resource, our soldiers and are directly responsible for their tactical and technical development at the small unit level focusing on individual and team training. As a platoon sergeant, you have multiple responsibilities not just to the mentorship and development of your junior leaders but also to your counterpart, that's right that brand new Lieutenant. For the first time in your career you are paired with an officer and will make or break how the "Boss" views them and how they view and trust NCOs. As a First Sergeant, you are the heart of the organization, everything coming in or going out flows through you and you alone. Every aspect that makes a unit function and succeed or fail is on the 1SG's shoulders. The CSM manages personnel and is the key component that safeguards their unit's from consistent taskings and focuses the staff and company level senior leaders to meet their bosses' intent and vision.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2014 1:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 13:18:03 -0500

I believe SFC Steven Grudzinski said it best and I echo his words. As always, 1SG Rink also had a great response. Like SSG Woods, I am also interested to hear from our junior enlisted to see what their viewpoint is on the subject.

Response by SPC Robert Patrick made Jan 24 at 2014 1:22 PM

SPC Robert Patrick — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 13:22:23 -0500

I think the most import aspects of an NCO are that they lead from the front. Listen to what their soldiers have to say and always take into consideration that there may be a better way. A good NCO needs be prepared to set a soldier straight and on the right path, but at the same time if a soldier says something to help their NCO out listen because that soldier is just trying to help you as you would him/her. The true sign of a leader is one can not only inspire their soldiers to great heights but can also bring them out dark lows. There is no one important aspect of being an NCO. For everything that makes an NCO a leader is a requirement. To train the soldiers but also be able to learn from them. To provide the console that Soldiers need. To be someone who the Soldier can model themselves after for success.

Response by SGT Alfred Cox made May 28 at 2014 2:07 AM

SGT Alfred Cox — Wed, 28 May 2014 02:07:14 -0400

Teach ,mentor and counsel.

Response by Cpl Daniel Sellers made Jun 24 at 2014 9:29 AM

Cpl Daniel Sellers — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 09:29:23 -0400

I would have to say that expert tactical knowledge is definitely key. While leaders may make mistakes from time to time, when your subordinates get even the feeling you don't know whats going on then the respect for you begins to deteriorate and you start to become second guessed. Also, from what I have seen many leaders have a problem with attempting to be "friends" with their subordinates. While some individuals are able to separate work from play many if not most cannot. This causes a degradation of command and promotes complacency as much if not more than lack of technical knowledge.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2014 10:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 22:34:05 -0500

I believe from me it would be putting soldiers and co-workers needs and wants before mine

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 8:09 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 08:09:52 -0500

Living the NCO Creed daily but for me is being there for Soldiers period and taking care of them regardless of the situation time or place !!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2014 5:40 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Nov 2014 05:40:21 -0500

As a soldier who enlisted after graduating college and living on my own for 6 years a big thing for me is being treated as an adult and not a rank after I show that I am responsible and trustworthy. Another thing is not only knowing what you are teaching but, more importantly to me, knowing what you don't know, and be able to turn things over to someone who has the knowledge and experience on the subject.