Being a Marine and earning the rank of Marine NCO, then serving in the NG as a SPC, I observed both Marine NCO's and "ARMY" NCO's. That said, I can clearly and emphatically state that a Marine Cpl has more military bearing and NCO leadership skills than most ARMY E-5, E-6 and E-7's.

I watched every ARMY NCO/SNCO's I served with (with the exception of the one former Marine who was then an ARMY Ssgt in my unit) care simply about their own needs. Not one cared about the troops they supposedly led. They wouldn't take charge at all.These NCO's/SNCO's literally had to be told what to do and when to do it. Their troops had zero military bearing or discipline and they'd have run the other way in a firefight all while the so called ARMY NCO/SNCO's ensured their lockers were filled with snacks, drinks and video's. I've seen Marine Cpl's step up and lead their fellow Marines exactly as a Gunnery Sgt would had the Gunny been there. Get it done and get it done right the first time without being told what needs to be done. We just know!

These differences in leadership skills are blatantly obvious but nearly all ARMY personnel refuse to admit this. My question is why? Could it be because soldiers are simply promoted just because and never push themselves to lead, work and engage or is it because Marines earn their promotion to NCO and are known to be true leaders, always take charge?