The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer
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". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will 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 will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind—accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a noncommissioned officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, noncommissioned officers, leaders!
Personal Narrative Insight and Motivator for Writing This Blog
After serving 22 years in the Army, across all its three components, I've had the privilege of leading and training Soldiers through the unique lens of a noncommissioned officer (NCO). The NCO Creed has been more than just words to me; it has been a living doctrine, a guide that has shaped my leadership style and the way I interact with both my superiors and subordinates.
Why am I writing this blog? Because I believe in the transformative power of the NCO Creed, not just as a set of guidelines but as a tool for character building and leadership development. I've seen firsthand how the Creed can turn raw recruits into disciplined Soldiers and inexperienced sergeants into capable leaders. But I've also observed that the Creed often becomes a set of words recited by rote, its deeper meaning lost in the cacophony of daily duties and responsibilities.
During my seven years as an Instructor, I made it a point to have my Soldiers recite the Creed twice a day. But I wanted to go beyond mere recitation. In my Senior Leader Courses (SLC), I emphasized the importance of internalizing the Creed's principles and applying them in real-world scenarios. I wanted my Soldiers not just to say the words but to live them, to make them the foundation upon which they built their actions and decisions.
I developed a 30-minute NCO Professional Development program focused on the Creed, dedicating the first five days of class to dissecting its meaning and relevance. This wasn't just an academic exercise but a journey into the heart of what it means to be an NCO, a leader of Soldiers. I used the Creed as a tool for reminding students, peers, and other NCOs of the high standards and responsibilities of wearing the stripes.
Are NCOs perfect? Absolutely not. But they aren't meant to be. They are human beings who make mistakes, and often those very mistakes make them relatable leaders. Many NCOs earn their Soldiers' respect and their superiors' confidence not despite their flaws, but because of them. Their experiences, both good and bad, make them emerging leaders who can guide the next generation of Soldiers.
This blog aims to share the insights I've gained over more than two decades of service, focusing on the practical application of the NCO Creed through the 2-R.O.A.D.S. framework. I want to provide current and aspiring NCOs with a roadmap for success that balances the practicalities of military service with the ideals of leadership and duty. It's time to move beyond mere words and delve into the actions and attitudes that make an NCO genuinely great.
So, whether you're a young Soldier aspiring to become an NCO or a seasoned sergeant major looking for fresh perspectives, this blog is for you. Let's embark on this journey together, exploring the depths of the NCO Creed and discovering how it can shape us into better leaders, Soldiers, and human beings.
Introduction to the 2-R.O.A.D.S. Concept:
The Army's NCO Creed serves as a foundational document for non-commissioned officers, outlining their roles, responsibilities, and ethical standards. Within this Creed, I have created the concept of 2-R.O.A.D.S that presents a framework for interpreting and applying these principles. This blog post will explore how the 2-R.O.A.D.S. acronym offers a comprehensive approach to understanding the Creed and navigating the responsibilities of an NCO.
The First R.O.A.D.S:
The first layer of the 2-R.O.A.D.S. framework consists of critical reminders for NCOs. These reminders encompass the key principles and values that should always be kept in mind. Additionally, NCOs must identify the objectives they aim to achieve, understand their accountability for their actions and decisions, fulfill their duty to the utmost, and uphold high standards of quality and conduct.
Reminders: These could be the key principles or values that NCOs should always keep in mind.
Objectives: The goals or targets that NCOs aim to achieve.
Accountability: Being responsible for one's actions and decisions.
Duty: The obligations and tasks that come with the role.
Standards: The benchmarks of quality and conduct that should be maintained.
The Second R.O.A.D.S:
The second layer of the 2-R.O.A.D.S. framework encourages NCOs to reflect upon their experiences and lessons. This layer emphasizes the importance of considering the outcomes and consequences of actions, being answerable for one's decisions, recognizing that actions speak louder than words, and comprehending the scope of one's authority and responsibility.
Recall: To remember and reflect upon past experiences and lessons.
Outcome: To think about the consequences and results of actions.
Answerable: To be prepared to explain and justify actions taken.
Deeds: Acknowledging that actions speak louder than words.
Scope: Understanding the limits and extent of one's authority and responsibility.
The 2-R.O.A.D.S framework can be applied to the Creed to extract actionable insights and deeper meanings. Let's identify the elements of the 2-R.O.A.D.S within the Creed:
First R.O.A.D.S:
Reminders: "No one is more professional than I. I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers." This serves as a reminder of the professionalism and leadership role that NCOs must embody.
Objectives: "My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind—accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers." This clearly outlines the objectives that NCOs should focus on.
Accountability: "I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role." This emphasizes the accountability that comes with the NCO role.
Duty: "All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership." This statement outlines the duty of providing leadership.
Standards: "I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage." This sets the ethical and moral standards that NCOs must uphold.
Second R.O.A.D.S:
Recall: "I am a member of a time-honored corps, which is known as 'The Backbone of the Army'." This calls for NCOs to recall the legacy and tradition they are part of.
Outcome: "I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment." This asks NCOs to consider the outcomes of their decisions on their Soldiers.
Answerable: "I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed." This makes NCOs answerable to their Soldiers for all communications.
Deeds: "I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers." This focuses on deeds, not just words, to earn respect.
Scope: "Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine." This defines the scope of an NCO's responsibilities, distinguishing it from that of officers.
Explanation:
The first R.O.A.D.S serves as a practical guide, focusing on the immediate responsibilities and standards that NCOs must adhere to. It is about the "what" — what NCOs should be doing daily. It's a set of reminders that keep NCOs grounded in their roles, ensuring they are accountable, focused on their duties, and maintaining high standards of conduct.
The second R.O.A.D.S, on the other hand, delves into the "why" and "how" — why these principles are essential and how to implement them thoughtfully. It calls for a deeper level of understanding and reflection. For instance, recalling the legacy of the NCO corps isn't just about remembering history; it's about understanding the weight of the role and the expectations that come with it. Similarly, being answerable isn't just about taking responsibility for actions and involves transparent and consistent communication.
These two R.O.A.D.S create a comprehensive framework for understanding and living the NCO Creed. They offer a balanced approach, combining practical guidelines with deeper insights, thus enabling NCOs to be practical, action-oriented, and thoughtful leaders. This dual-layered approach ensures that NCOs are well-equipped to fulfill their roles as the backbone of the Army, placing their soldiers' mission and welfare above all else.
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