What are some character traits that a great NCO/Leader should have? And do you have any advice you would like to share?

I thought back to those leaders I would have followed anywhere (since I was an officer, they were senior officers).
Integrity- I never worried that I would be asked to do something I shouldn't.
Lead by example- always a role model on and off duty
Personal connection- would find or make time to answer questions, give honest feedback, both praise and suggestions for improvement
Lots of other stuff but those are three that stick out for me.
SPC Margaret Higgins MSG Dan Walther SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth LTC Jeff Shearer Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price LTC Terrence Farrier, PhD SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan A1C Ian Williams Maj John Bell COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen F. LTC John Shaw SGT Mark Halmrast Col (Join to see) SP5 Mark Kuzinski Capt Seid Waddell Capt Dwayne Conyers

Looking back, I would refrain from looking at leaders as "good/bad". It's subjective and very biased. Looking back, I'd say you have NCO's and Sergeants (regardless of rank), and both are ALWAYS learning tools. NCO's will go the extra mile to do what has to be done. It won't always be glamorous, it won't always be fun, and it damn sure won't be popular. Usually they have more "detractors" than "admirers". They'll tell you what you NEED to hear vs. what you WANT to hear. That is very important. If you're not pissed at that NCO quite often, something is wrong. Pissed can be both good and bad BTW.

Sergeants are those who made the rank. They were able to go to the boards, look awesome in uniform, are PT studs, can BS with senior leaders both O and Joe, and are considered "rising stars". They're the first to get the high speed recognition, always the fist to get looked at for promotions, or leadership positions to make promotions, but when you peel their onions back, EVERYTHING they did is on the backs of their Joes, the Joes never got recognized, their morale is at it's worst, and they're the ones pulling long hours while their Sergeant is somewhere else leading from the "front" of a keypad or keyboard. You look at their Joes 4856's and you see a pattern of no "leadership" but where the Joe needs to improve constantly, no follow up, or there are TONS of negative counseling's.

You'll know a Sergeant long before you discover the NCO. It's easy as hell to be a Sergeant. You just have to be able to play the game. Master it, and you'll be a SFC LONG before your peers, and more than likely under ten years TIS. You'll be that person with a BS with multiple valor attachments for gallantry in battle, but never left CONUS. Plus side is you will be the most popular person in the company, battalion, or group.

I hope you become the NCO. You won't be liked my many, but you'll have the respect of most. Respect is what you want, being that tells you, your peers, and leaders you are LEADING. Patton was not liked by many, but that mofo was feared and respected my ALL to include the Germans. You remember his name due to that, same as many NCO's when they get out or retire. NCO's often get calls form previous troops who are still in who value their opinion years after they punched out.

Everyone always uses the Creed as the basis of how a NCO should be. Use it as a guide, but don't think because you memorized it, you're Gods gift to the Corps. I'd rather hear you say the first paragraph and be real with it than for your to yell the whole thing out, and have no clue what it means. Lots of those running around. Tattoo BE, KNOW, and DO on your inside eyelids. If you can do that, the Creed doesn't matter being you're living it all. The. Time. Don't worry about "good/bad", just be the NCO troops want to serve with and under. The rest will sort itself out.

Practice your knife hands too. They are fun when used properly, and can cut MRE bread in a pinch.

A leader is a servant. He/she makes sure that the unit has what it needs to succeed (e.g. Knowledge, Training, Supply, Opportunity, Direction, Purpose...) Military leaders have three and only three priorities in relation to their billet; The Mission, Preservation of Force, Troop welfare. Masters of the art of leadership can find a balance of the three priorities.

Most leaders will only get 1 or two priority well-covered.

Bad leaders will substitute their career for mission, risk avoidance for preservation of force, and "the troops like me" for troop welfare.