The Non Commissioned Officer (NCO); the "backbone" of the Marine Corps. The driving force behind the battle of Belleau Wood, the battle of Hue City, the fight for Fallujiah, the taking of Marjah and, most recently, the battle against suicide and sexual harassment. No other group of men and women in the world have been called to fight across such a broad area of operation. As we look at the ever-adapting role of the NCO, we must first look to the past. One of the foremost examples that comes to mind is John Basilone. To Marines, Basilone needs no introduction. He was a hero, and Sergeant when he was awarded the Medal of Honor. No words can better describe his heroism than his citation. “For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines wit...
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...at it means to be an NCO. These are our new instruments of war as we face this new, and often intangible enemy. However, it is important that we do not pick and choose which to heed. In our modern Marine Corps we, too often, become impersonal when dealing with those under our charge. We write on our standardized counseling sheets once a month, and are ever ready to serve up a negative counseling or a charge sheet. While these things have their place, we must make sure they do not replace the idea that we, as NCOs, are here to serve those Marines under our charge. No matter what the battlefield. No matter what the fight. NCOs will continue to be the backbone of the Marine Corps. As we press forward, let us never forget the leadership traits that guide us. And let us never forget the NCOs that came before us that taught us what being an NCO is truly all about.
Giving way to the parties and the fun associated with college kids, Caputo failed out of college and realized what he really wanted to be was a Marine. He joined the Marines and went through a lot of officer training until he eventually reached what would be known as his final rank of Lieutenant. Introduced to the Vietnam War in 1965 as a Platoon leader, Caputo walked into the war a little scared but with a lot of determination. Caputo started the war with a lot of field work including jungle expeditions and shooting escapades, and eventually was sent to keep track of the everyday deaths occurring during the war and all the paperwork associated with such a job. Later he was put back in charge of a platoon which eventually lead to his downfall following an unethical order he gave his men that resulted in the killing of a couple Vietnamese pedestrians believed to be part of the Viet Cong.
The purpose of this memorandum is to outline my view point on leadership. As a Drill Sergeant, it is my responsibility to transform civilians into well discipline, physically fit, and competent scouts. I am entrusted to uphold the Army standards, live the Army Values and Warrior Ethos, and instill Esprit de corps.
As a Marine, it is imperative to have leadership skills along with being capable of working with others. This book was written to enhance the reader’s mentality of how the Marines operate. It informs those who are looking into the service, and provides an in depth look into the trials and tribulations it has been through—as well as conquered. This book substantially explains the vigorous training platoon 3086 went through in order to earn the title of being a Marine.
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
These are the words that have ended all of my counseling sheets with since I began writing them as a Corporal and will continue to do as long as I counsel Marines.
As our forefathers before us stated, ‘‘No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army (“The NCO Creed written by SFC Earle Brigham and Jimmie Jakes Sr”). These words to the Noncommissioned Officer should inspire us to the fullest with pride, honor, and integrity. The NCO creed should mean much more than just words whenever we attend an NCO’s school.
As a Non-commissioned Officer you can expect me to be a professional leader dedicated to taking care of soldiers, the mission, and the army way of life. You can expect me to use Army Regulations, Technical Manuals, and direct orders from my superiors as my guidance on what actions to take in each situation faced whether tactical or technical. I will not be afraid to make sound and timely decisions in the absence of my leadership’s orders. When left in charge I will take charge.
During the Vietnam War, the first platoon (approximately forty men) was lead by a young officer named William Calley. Young Calley was drafted into the US Army after high school, but it did not take long for him to adjust to being in the army, with a quick transition to the lifestyle of the military, he wanted to make it his career. In high school, Calley was a kind, likable and “regular” high school student, he seemed to be a normal teenager, having interest in things that other boys his age typically had. He was never observed acting in a cruel or brutal way. In Vietnam, Calley was under direct order of company commander, Captain Ernest Medina, whom he saw as a role model, he looked up to Medina. (Detzer 127).
Sergeant GonzalezEstrella is a true self-starter and takes a highly disciplined approach to his duties. As a seasoned Sergeant should, he displays professionalism, leadership, and dedication both on and off duty. He ensures that his Marines keep a high level of professionalism and always stay on task. He is always seeking ways of improving moral, team work, and operational readiness within the detachment. His motivation and enthusiasm for the mission never falters and his thoroughness and attention to detail is nothing short of impressive. He has definitely set the example for the rest of the detachment on how a leader should conduct himself and he inspires his fellow NCO’s with his calm, confident demeanor and leadership style. Sergeant GonzalezEstrella performs exceptionally well under stressful and intense situations and he consistently performs complex tasks successfully with no supervision necessary. He presents a sharp military bearing and appearance on and off duty and displays a high level of physical
... to be the backbone of the Army unless I am willing and able, to do what is right at all times. I must be the standard-bearer. I must be beyond reproach. I must, at all times, conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the corps, the military service, and my country, regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I have recited a creed daily that embodies what makes an NCO. I have lived by that creed and always placed the needs of my soldiers above my own. I have sacrificed in times when I should not have. I have made sure those around me are better off than myself whenever I was able. What I mean with these hollow words, what I hope rings true from the message I am trying to convey, is that I have LIVED with integrity. I have EMBODIED integrity, even when it meant it would harm me; because no one is more professional than I.
In conclusion, a good NCO is a leader who knows and follows the rules, as well as makes difficult decisions when the situation calls for doing so. There is no perfect NCO, since being an NCO embodies subjective qualities and dealing with problems that do not have single, perfect solutions. However, good NCOs do exist and without their efforts and dedication, the United States Army would not be the most powerful fighting force that it is today. References United States (2001) -. Preparing and Managing Correspondence:
The Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Creed is what all NCOs should live by. NCOs are the backbone of the Army, it is our duty to mentor, train, and lead Soldiers. I have an Altruistic Nurturing style of leadership. Altruistic nurturing leaders tend to be friendly helpers, warm hearted, and care takers. My priority is the wellbeing of the Soldier. All Soldiers should be physically and mentally tough and ready to accomplish the mission or task at hand.
What does it mean to me to have the opportunity to teach Senior Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs)? How will I do it? Will it be daunting, difficult, or less than what I am hoping for? These are all questions that have been part of my thought process since my selection to the USASMA Fellowship Program. I consider it an immense responsibility to be selected to instruct future Sergeants Majors. It is my desire that my teaching philosophy will achieve some success early, and be one that I can build on and adjust to always improve the delivery to my students. My hope is that I present my courses of instruction in an energetic and engaging manner that causes Senior NCOs to want to be in my class each day. I expect to get satisfaction from seeing
I have been through a lot of good and bad moments in my career. Most of them have been great experience’s that I will never forget. All of them have been afforded to me by the U.S. Army. I love the U.S. Army and my country so much that words can’t explain it. When I put on my uniform every day I am proud to say that I am a Soldier in the world’s greatest Army. I would like another opportunity to right this wrong, and prove that I can continue to be entrusted with positions of trust and authority. I will prove that I can be trusted with actions and not just words, I ask only for the opportunity. I will strive to be the best NCO that I can be and strive to meet my unlimited potential that I possess to make my unit, command and the U.S. Army
level of Precedence and standards in the formation. The roles of the non-commissioned officer is