The History of NCOs And What it Means to Me

Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) are one of the many main components in the armed forces. They are the tools that the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO) and Officers use to execute their orders and commands. NCOs take on a multitude of tasks each varying in its nature. The importance of a NCO is exponential. A NCO must take care of his or her Junior Marines. While making sure all goals and missions are completed. A NCO must maintain discipline in their Junior Marines, but also ensure Troop welfare and morale. It has been said, and is undoubtedly true, that NCOs are the back bone of the armed services.

NCOs began in 1775 with the birth of Continental Army. As America tried to be less like its European counterparts, the role of the NCOs changed. NCOs were responsible for training, especially in areas of neatness and hygiene. The role of the NCOs increased following numerous SNCOs deaths during the war of 1812. The first NCO course was in 1824 at Fort Monroe. Prior to 1865 the role of the NCOs was too relay orders and monitor activities of regular soldiers. After the Civil War the NCO would often lead independently. As leaders we need to respect our Junior Marines, our fellow NCOs, SNCOs, and Officers. If you demonstrate a high manner of professionalism and respect towards them it will come back to you in the same form of gratitude and praise. How can one ask for respect in return with out first giving it out? If you do not show confidence in the capabilities and fidelities, of Junior Enlisted Marines, how can we as leaders expect them to live up to said expectation? NCOs must know their Junior Enlisted Marines better then they know them selves. You must be able to maintain open yet still professional relationship with the Marines. If a NCO can understand why a Junior Marine operates the he or she does, then the NCO will be more effective in leading the Junior Marine. In order to turn ones weakness into strength, a NCO must have a clear insight into the Junior Marines M/O. A NCO must have this insight before he or she can seek improvement in the Junior Enlisted Marine. A NCO takes care of his or her Marines. Part of being a leader is to ensuring Troop morale and welfare. A Junior Marine should be able to come to their NCO with problems and have it dealt with accordingly. If for some reason the NCO cannot handle the problem directly, he or she must go to all lengths to ensure it gets handled. As leaders we cannot rest until we know that those reliant on us are taking care of.