NCO Leadership Primer

How to Lead Your Friends Without Becoming the Bad Guy

The most challenging part of becoming an NCO is leading people who used to be your equals. Just yesterday, you were friends; today, you are an NCO. This is the awkward zone in which all new NCOs find themselves. Moving from junior enlisted to non-commissioned officer is the most challenging… Listen ⇢

The NCO Creed: Living Out Its Principles Every Day

The NCO Creed defines the essential role of non-commissioned officers in the military, emphasizing leadership, responsibility, and cultural standards. NCOs shape their teams’ behavior through their own actions and decisions, inheriting a legacy of discipline and excellence. They are crucial for mission success and must constantly embody and uphold these… Listen ⇢

Warrior Ethos in Action: The NCO’s Leadership in Unit Culture

The non-commissioned officer (NCO) plays a pivotal role in the military hierarchy, acting as the backbone of armed forces worldwide. Integral to this role is the responsibility of instilling and nurturing the warrior ethos—a set of core values that drive the very essence of a warrior. This ethos encapsulates the… Listen ⇢

The Price of Complacency: Lessons from History on War Readiness

Military history provides clear examples that wars often occur unexpectedly. Surprise attacks such as Pearl Harbor, the North Korean invasion of South Korea, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, the September 11 terror attacks, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine serve as sobering reminders for military leaders of the importance of readiness. One… Listen ⇢

The Pitfalls of Being The ‘Good Guy’ NCO

In his October 25, 2024, article, Air Force Master Sgt. Nathan Jemar discusses the challenges non-commissioned officers (NCOs) face when they prioritize being liked over making difficult but necessary decisions. He argues that “good guy” NCOs often avoid tough conversations to maintain harmony, which can lead to a decline in… Listen ⇢

Leading by Following: Mastering the Underrated Art

Like any great organization, the military offers countless programs to develop leaders. Without good leaders, the mission will fail. At all our Professional Military Academies, at every level, we teach leadership. However, we rarely spend time on an equally important topic—followership. It doesn’t matter how high in any organization you… Listen ⇢

Every NCO Is a Leader, a Manager, and a Trainer