In recent years, the Army Corps of Non-Commissioned Officers has exhibited signs of decline in both effectiveness and professionalism. The Corps of Non-Commissioned Officers has faced many challenges that are unprecedented in the history of military service including a core shift in the societal values toward a confused and submissive populous creating a pool of potential Soldiers entering service without the mental or physical toughness to make the transition to military life and be successful. This creates a series of new and difficult challenges for the modern military attempting to integrate, train and successfully produce a quality NCO to lead the Army in the coming years. The Army has begun the recognize changes in the civilians entering military service and is struggling to develop and integrate doctrine and training standards that will produce a viable group of NCOs capable of continuing the leadership and traditions developed in the Army during its existence. The Effect of Societal and Doctrine Change on the NCO Corps The U.S. Army Corps of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) has been in a steady decline which over the last 70 years can be traced to two major factors. The first of which is the change to an all-volunteer Army and secondly societal changes in the form of political correctness and a gender-blurred redefining of what it means to be an American and more importantly an American Soldier. The all-volunteer concept has forced the Army to begin a
USARECs tactical organizations recruiting centers are responsible for prospecting and recruiting professional individuals that will volunteer for a job serving as a Soldier. Their main effort involves identifying and creating the Soldier of 2025 that will fight to win any complex operating environment. Daily NCOs engage local communities to find individuals to enlist despite the changing United States (US) society where 7 out of 10 prospects do not qualify to enlist into the Army. NCOs at this tactical level have a tremendous challenge in their day-to-day operations. They have to accomplish daily operations by overcoming many factors and challenges. These challenges include economic conditions, persistent and unstable Middle East, China,
The demographic profile of the all volunteer United States Military has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. The transformation that has occurred in the United States population do not always reflect the changes in the Army's demographical environment. Today's Armed Forces is more
This essay addresses operational challenges and ways for improving functional training skills for progressive changes for all Soldiers of the California Army National Guard (CAARNG). By improving the current operational practices and providing continuous training that uses standardized approaches and practices for CAARNG NCO’s will assist in the development of inexperienced NCO’s and the retention of highly experienced NCO’s.
In early 1986, Lieutenant General Saint and his Command Sergeants Major, Command Sergeants Major Horvath, identified the need to establish an elite organization to recognize stellar Non-Commissioned Officers. These Non-Commissioned Officers are those who have demonstrated excellence in performance and leadership abilities that resemble those of other influential NCO’s. A special group that needed a figure head that all members could emulate and strive to act in accordance with. This figure head could be none other than Sergeant Audie Murphy.
Army officer who in charge of leading military missions must bear in mind that his success or failure is dependent on his commanding style. There are typical ways through which an officer is more successful than the other is. Just think about why a great Greek’s military leader, Thucydides, failed to save the city of Amphipolis. He was distant from the army to protect the important military strategic city. Thucydides’ failure was his absence that made his army psychologically impotent and the enemy courageous. ()
The United States Army defines leadership as the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization (ADP 6-22). The Non Commissioned Officer Corps has a rich history in leading troops. Their Slogan is “Back Bone of The Army”. I took this to heart when I was sworn into the NCO corps. The Warrant Officer Cohort is known for their technical and tactical ability and being subject matter experts (SME) in their field. This post will discuss the differences between the NCO and the Warrant Officer.
The Story of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps, Center of Military History, United States Army, Washington, D.C., 2003
One objective that most consider applicable to mankind is that we are all on a search for something greater than ourselves. Consider a Profession of Arms being that greater calling. In this paper I will explain what it means to be a Profession, emphasize the Balancing Role of the Profession’s Leaders, the Army Professional Culture, and the Human Resource Sergeants Role in the Army Profession. Envision one of the greatest leagues of superheroes: The Avenger’s.
In 2001, the U.S. Military entered Afghanistan and began Operation Enduring Freedom. This marked the beginning of the war on terrorism. Nine years later, in 2010, the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff reflected on the challenges the Army had endured as a profession and took a hard look at how the Army must change to adapt to a persistent conflict. This essay will focus on four critical questions addressing the importance of the role of a Human Resources (HR) Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) as a member of the Profession of Arms. The four questions are:
The technological advances prior the World War I, accompanied by the modernization greatly affected the NCO Corps and influenced the review of the Blue Book. The publication of the Noncommissioned Officer’s Manual in 1909 by Captain James A. Moss, established the basic function of the NCO. Described the NCO as a small unit leader, clarified the roles of the NCO, addressed discipline, and stressed the role of punishment to achieve discipline. In addition stated, “The noncommissioned officer occupies the most important position and plays a most essential part in the success or failure of a command” (Moss, 1909).
Currently on average Soldiers today are older than those who served prior to the acts of September 11th (Taylor, 2011). Over the last 25 years the military has also increased greatly with the number of minorities that are serving within the ranks, in a 2009 study it was reported that nearly with one-third of the active force are now minorities (Taylor, 2011). The military is also far more educated than they were two decades ago; with far more college graduates serving and nearly ninety-three percent being high school graduates (Taylor, 2011). This percentage is increasingly accurate within Alpha Troop with only two soldiers of the ninety three that are currently on the unit manning report having General Education Diplomas (GED). Overall, the experience that comes with age and the knowledge that comes with education has allowed both the military and Alpha Troop to make significant strides when dealing with societal
Late in 1962, Secretary of the Army Elvis J. Stahr Jr. directed Under Secretary of the Army Stephen Ailes to survey how the recruits are trained in the Army. The research was pooled from a wide variety of personnel and took a very longtime. This research also included other branches of service, comparing techniques and strategies to ensure they had the most accurate data available. The survey findings concluded the noncommissioned officers (NCOs) were poorly regarded working long hours, lack of free time for family concerns, and inadequate staffing. The survey also concluded that the caliber of NCOs that were selected were below the standard required by other services. (unknown, n.d.)
The importance of the role of Human Resources Sergeant in the Profession of Arms is not solely based off of one factor. Many different factors, principles and guidelines go into the roles and profession. Human Resources Leaders have a responsibility to not only understand the importance of of their efforts and unit mission, but also the mission of all their supported and supporting units (FM 1-0, 1-3) .
Our responsibility as noncommissioned officer is to provide guidance, resources, assistance and training to our Soldiers. We cannot provide guidance and training if we do not seek for self-improvement. In order to seek for self-improvement, CSM/SGM and senior NCOs have to prepare academically and professionally. Today, there are many ways to prepare ourselves professionally. The Army make available to the service members a wealth of grants and scholarships as US Army Tuition Assistance (TA), Yellow Ribbon Project, and Montgomery G.I. Bill, Troops to Teach Program among others. In addition many public and private organization offer grants, financial assistance/aid or scholarship to encourage service members to achieve their professional
Since 1775, the Noncommissioned Officer Corps has distinguished itself through leadership, professionalism, commitment, courage and dedication. It is comprised of trained, adaptable, self-sacrificing professionals who have earned the admiration of both the officer and enlisted ranks. From the time a Soldier enters the Army until the time he or she leaves this profession, the NCO is there every step of the way to guide Soldiers and help them navigate any situation with their professionalism, competence and caring. The NCO Corps is the reason behind our success on the battlefield today and on battlefields of the past.