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Some of us have opportunities where we could of went warrant or, went OCS. Hell , some of us could of got out as a junior enlisted soldier . Just wanted to get to know you guys and see why you chose The NonCommissioned Officer Corps
Posted in these groups: 
NCO Academy
NCOs
NCO Academy NCOs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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After a four year active duty tour from which I ETSed as a SP5, I was looking to join the Army Reserves. I really didn’t want to drive from Norfolk Virginia to Fort Meade Maryland for drill weekend in my then MOS of 74D-G5.
So I had to find another career field closer to home. After spending weekends in a transportation unit at Fort Eustis, a military police detachment at Fort Monroe and a medical supply company in downtown Norfolk, I was still uncommitted.
The frustrated recruiter had one unit left on his list, a drill sergeant unit at Fort Story Virginia. He said the kicker was I would have to recertify as 11B to go to Drill Sergeant School.
After an interview with the company commander, I said sign me up. Was immediately appointed to Sergeant from SP5, went to a two week 11B certification course, had my MOS changed, attended drill sergeant school, and then spent 36 years in the Army Reserves.
Was a Drill Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, Senior Field Leader, First Sergeant, and a CSM in drill sergeant units.
Was then appointed Commandant of an Army Reserve Drill Sergeant School, Professional Development Brigade CSM, deployed to Iraq to train the Iraqi Army, returned to become the Training Command Sergeant Major with all of the Army Reserves’ Drill Sergeants, finally ending my career as a Regional Support Command Sergeant Major.
Enjoyed it all and would do it again.
Think I made the right choice.
So I had to find another career field closer to home. After spending weekends in a transportation unit at Fort Eustis, a military police detachment at Fort Monroe and a medical supply company in downtown Norfolk, I was still uncommitted.
The frustrated recruiter had one unit left on his list, a drill sergeant unit at Fort Story Virginia. He said the kicker was I would have to recertify as 11B to go to Drill Sergeant School.
After an interview with the company commander, I said sign me up. Was immediately appointed to Sergeant from SP5, went to a two week 11B certification course, had my MOS changed, attended drill sergeant school, and then spent 36 years in the Army Reserves.
Was a Drill Sergeant, Senior Drill Sergeant, Senior Field Leader, First Sergeant, and a CSM in drill sergeant units.
Was then appointed Commandant of an Army Reserve Drill Sergeant School, Professional Development Brigade CSM, deployed to Iraq to train the Iraqi Army, returned to become the Training Command Sergeant Major with all of the Army Reserves’ Drill Sergeants, finally ending my career as a Regional Support Command Sergeant Major.
Enjoyed it all and would do it again.
Think I made the right choice.
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Turned down OCS 3 times. Saw early on, that NCO's do the actual training and close leading, while O's got stuck with projects, formal dinners and other nict picking things that kept them from the troops.
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Well disclaimer, I am planning on going Warrant ha, however prior to that.. I knew i wanted to make the Army a career, even in bad units I loved the Army, so in order to stay in that obviously means you have to promote. Going "full" officer is not appealing to my in the slightest, and as a Warrant I want to go technical so need to hold squat for a bit. Thus joining the NCO corps. When first picking up SGT i didn't look at being an NCO as i do now. I was NCOIC at my last unit and loved helping, teaching, and mentoring Soldiers and seeing the good that can be had in being a great NCO.
I will definitely take my joy in teaching with me to being a Warrant to still teach and mentor Soldiers as the "SME".
I will definitely take my joy in teaching with me to being a Warrant to still teach and mentor Soldiers as the "SME".
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Are you guys in the NCO Corps aware that you are playing with the life of someone's son or daughter? I took a client to a regular hospital for a test and she invited her father to be there. I met the father and talked to him and instantly realized that he felt that we were responsible for his daughters life.
I take my job as a caregiver to mentally ill and suicidal clients very seriously and am about to be promoted to a lead slot. This is a huge responsibility to be charged with caring for others lives. If I do my job correctly many times the client will not like it but it is for their safety.
I know that NCOs are responsible for training and also in combat for maintain safety of those they are charged with.
This is in my mind every day I work. Sometimes for example i tell a client gthey cant go out to the porch at 3 am. i am on the 3d floor. If they jump it would be a real problem. that is one easy example.
I take my job as a caregiver to mentally ill and suicidal clients very seriously and am about to be promoted to a lead slot. This is a huge responsibility to be charged with caring for others lives. If I do my job correctly many times the client will not like it but it is for their safety.
I know that NCOs are responsible for training and also in combat for maintain safety of those they are charged with.
This is in my mind every day I work. Sometimes for example i tell a client gthey cant go out to the porch at 3 am. i am on the 3d floor. If they jump it would be a real problem. that is one easy example.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
William Barry , I can assure you that not ONCE, during a career that lasted over 20 years, and more than 16 years as a Non-Commisioned Officer, did I "play" with the life of one of my Soldiers. And, quite frankly I take GREAT offense, both personally and professionally, at such characterization.
Yes, every single servicemember is someone's son or daughter. Many of them are someone's mother or father, brother or sister, best friend, drinking buddy, or emergency babysitter. But once they sign that contract, all of that stuff matters less. Because they have agreed to take on a role which supersedes all others: Soldier (or Sailor, Airmen, Marine). Yes, we are responsible for their lives. Yes, we take that responsibility seriously. No, we are not worried about the life of "someone's son or daughter," because we are FAR too concerned about the lives of ALL of our Soldiers (Sailors, Airmen, Marines).
At least that's my view on it. I can't claim to speak for all NCOs, but the ones I have worked with seem to share my philosophy for the most part.
Yes, every single servicemember is someone's son or daughter. Many of them are someone's mother or father, brother or sister, best friend, drinking buddy, or emergency babysitter. But once they sign that contract, all of that stuff matters less. Because they have agreed to take on a role which supersedes all others: Soldier (or Sailor, Airmen, Marine). Yes, we are responsible for their lives. Yes, we take that responsibility seriously. No, we are not worried about the life of "someone's son or daughter," because we are FAR too concerned about the lives of ALL of our Soldiers (Sailors, Airmen, Marines).
At least that's my view on it. I can't claim to speak for all NCOs, but the ones I have worked with seem to share my philosophy for the most part.
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William Barry
I guess you misunderstood me and for that I'm truly sorry. I have been in support of the military since I was a boy. I am a caregiver of the mentally ill and suicidal people. All I meant was every decision I make on the shop floor when a client asks about something out of the ordinary is " IS IT SAFE FOR ME TO LET THEM DO THIS?". An easy example is when they ask " Can I go out on the porch?" My unit is on the 3d floor. If I think they are any danger of being a problem (suicidal) the answer is "We don't normally open the porch at night." And yes they can report us to the Human Rights Officer(HRO) if they don't like our answers.Any time the porch is opened at night they are on CO==constant observation as we are on the 3d floor.
I'm in my 15th year and I have helped train other MHWs; and also orientee(ORT) RNs in safety check procedures as they also work down in series as MHWs; helped train Nursing Students when they or their instructors come asking questions; been a Lead MHW on a unit; supervised Kitchen Aides and Housekeepers; etc. I have also functioned as a Spanish interpreter for the Charge Nurse when a client fell at 115AM. When I am "Downtown" augmenting the Campus Police I have spoken to MDs and Rehab Staff not wearing their IDs. I work very well with the Hospital Senior Leadership Team as they sometimes come to us about safety issues. The easy example the other days was a hornets nest up in the courtyard where we exercise the clients that the hospital safety officer came to me about as I had the clients in the courtyard that day.
I know there are many similarities in my job and medical staff people in the military. We are essential state employees; and we cannot leave every single time due to mandatory OT.( I work for the State of MA). Most of us do between 50 to 80 hours a week. We do work 16 hour shifts sometimes too. We are normally there for 20 to 40+ years. MR Lou I call him has 43 years. He is a MHW3 on 2d shift. We must keep up CPR;Basic First Aid; all our PACE trainings; restraint trainings including use of cloth belts; etc. The best ones also are trained in ASL(I know some signs) or like me speak some Spanish; French; or Arabic; or have a CNA license. We must help restrain clients sometimes. We also help the adolescent unit too. I have restrained a 12 year old girl recently. We are not required to do PT so to speak; but the best MHWs are healthy eaters and fit as they set a good example for the clients. So a lot of people go to the CrossFit or planet fitness close by. Most of us are also going back to school for LPN or RN. If you are a good MHW the clients know it and they also know the slackers too. Just like a medical staff person I must balance many requirements of the job and normal life.
The MDs are their maybe 30 minutes 1x a month for team meeting; we are the ones the clients see 16 hours a day. The job has some similarities to CNA or PCA; but we do more than that depending on the day. I tell newer people that this isn't your normal 9 to 5 and once they wrap their head around it they can make it through to 20 years and retirement if they want to. I have 26 clients that I am directly responsible for on my unit (B3) and there are 250 or so that we are indirectly responsible for in the entire building.
I will tell you I was ion the turnpike and a veteran came to me telling me about his debit card not working. With no hesitation I gave him gas money and said thank you for your service.
SFC(R) O'Mally Thanks for you service.
I'm in my 15th year and I have helped train other MHWs; and also orientee(ORT) RNs in safety check procedures as they also work down in series as MHWs; helped train Nursing Students when they or their instructors come asking questions; been a Lead MHW on a unit; supervised Kitchen Aides and Housekeepers; etc. I have also functioned as a Spanish interpreter for the Charge Nurse when a client fell at 115AM. When I am "Downtown" augmenting the Campus Police I have spoken to MDs and Rehab Staff not wearing their IDs. I work very well with the Hospital Senior Leadership Team as they sometimes come to us about safety issues. The easy example the other days was a hornets nest up in the courtyard where we exercise the clients that the hospital safety officer came to me about as I had the clients in the courtyard that day.
I know there are many similarities in my job and medical staff people in the military. We are essential state employees; and we cannot leave every single time due to mandatory OT.( I work for the State of MA). Most of us do between 50 to 80 hours a week. We do work 16 hour shifts sometimes too. We are normally there for 20 to 40+ years. MR Lou I call him has 43 years. He is a MHW3 on 2d shift. We must keep up CPR;Basic First Aid; all our PACE trainings; restraint trainings including use of cloth belts; etc. The best ones also are trained in ASL(I know some signs) or like me speak some Spanish; French; or Arabic; or have a CNA license. We must help restrain clients sometimes. We also help the adolescent unit too. I have restrained a 12 year old girl recently. We are not required to do PT so to speak; but the best MHWs are healthy eaters and fit as they set a good example for the clients. So a lot of people go to the CrossFit or planet fitness close by. Most of us are also going back to school for LPN or RN. If you are a good MHW the clients know it and they also know the slackers too. Just like a medical staff person I must balance many requirements of the job and normal life.
The MDs are their maybe 30 minutes 1x a month for team meeting; we are the ones the clients see 16 hours a day. The job has some similarities to CNA or PCA; but we do more than that depending on the day. I tell newer people that this isn't your normal 9 to 5 and once they wrap their head around it they can make it through to 20 years and retirement if they want to. I have 26 clients that I am directly responsible for on my unit (B3) and there are 250 or so that we are indirectly responsible for in the entire building.
I will tell you I was ion the turnpike and a veteran came to me telling me about his debit card not working. With no hesitation I gave him gas money and said thank you for your service.
SFC(R) O'Mally Thanks for you service.
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Ooooh buddy ... I was tempted (not seriously so) to say something like, "Everyone else was dead and some one had to step up", BUT naw ... there was the job and I wanted it.
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My company commander thought I was perfect for the rank and position that went with it, I made sure not to let him down.
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To train and mentor Soldiers; pass along the knowledge & experience I had gained, and to prove as well as better develop myself as a leader.
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I became a NCO because I wanted to beat my dad at something! He made it to SP5 during the Vietnam War. I stayed an NCO because I love what I do- why mess with a good thing?
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1SG (Join to see), Great topic! I think for me, like SGM Bill Frazer, it was the choice to remain an NCO.
I did seriously consider OCS a few times during the first few years as a young E5. The LT was the leader of the platoon, and I wanted that experience. But the longer I was in touch with Soldiers, the more I appreciated the training aspect. Giving Soldiers the skills and abilities to make the team, squad, and platoon the best was rewarding to me. And then as I moved up, training new NCOs how to do the job better than me. We went through so many lieutenants, but the NCOs in the platoon were relatively constant and no matter who wore the bar, we were successful.
Then, I started looking closer at the career trajectory of the Army Officer. They lost that connection and responsibility for individual Soldiers really early in their career. As a 1SG, I really saw how much the company's success depended on the quality of training and mentorship each Soldier was receiving. In my mind, the value of quality NCOs skyrocketed. It does concern me how hard officers' jobs get when wee have entrenched poor quality NCOs. The ones who cite things like "that's NCO business" in and adversarial context and want nothing more than to send troops to the field while they do "paperwork". They aren't training quality NCOs and their subordinates learn what not to do. It has become my mission to effect change at my level, and return NCOs to their former stature of professionals, expert trainers, and subject matter experts.
I did seriously consider OCS a few times during the first few years as a young E5. The LT was the leader of the platoon, and I wanted that experience. But the longer I was in touch with Soldiers, the more I appreciated the training aspect. Giving Soldiers the skills and abilities to make the team, squad, and platoon the best was rewarding to me. And then as I moved up, training new NCOs how to do the job better than me. We went through so many lieutenants, but the NCOs in the platoon were relatively constant and no matter who wore the bar, we were successful.
Then, I started looking closer at the career trajectory of the Army Officer. They lost that connection and responsibility for individual Soldiers really early in their career. As a 1SG, I really saw how much the company's success depended on the quality of training and mentorship each Soldier was receiving. In my mind, the value of quality NCOs skyrocketed. It does concern me how hard officers' jobs get when wee have entrenched poor quality NCOs. The ones who cite things like "that's NCO business" in and adversarial context and want nothing more than to send troops to the field while they do "paperwork". They aren't training quality NCOs and their subordinates learn what not to do. It has become my mission to effect change at my level, and return NCOs to their former stature of professionals, expert trainers, and subject matter experts.
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I guess the simple answer to this question is ,I was ordered by my training range OIC to “volunteer “ to attend the NCO Academy Ft.Hood,it seems the slot I was giving instruction on required at least an E5 rate or above,having just returned from Vietnam and feeling a bit burnt out ,it wasn’t something I would have chosen,but on looking back that Captain gave me something I’ve been proud of for the rest of my life,being part of the NonCommissioned Officer Corps
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