NCO History, Background and Creed

1. Professional Military Education Initial Entry Training NCO History, Background and Creed

2. References Army Field Manual (FM) 7-22.7:Army Non-Commissioned Officer Guide

3. Training Objectives History of the NCO VDF Values NCO Professional Development NCO transition.

4. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Historically, officers were prominent aristocrats or landowners who received a commission from the country’s ruler Gave officers permission to raise and train military units By contrast, enlisted were “common folk” the officers led into battle.

5. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War History of the American NCO began in 1775 with birth of the Continental Army American NCO blended traditions of French, British and Prussian armies American disdain for aristocracy and social attitudes distinguished American NCO from European counterparts.

6. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War In 1778, Inspector General Friedrich von Steuben standardized NCO duties Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States (printed 1779) “Blue Book:” duties for corporals, sergeants, first sergeants, quarter-master sergeants and sergeants major

7. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Blue Bookemphasized importance of selecting quality soldiers for NCO positions Blue Bookserved a generation of soldiers as the primary regulation for the Army for 30 years. Part of Blue Bookstill used in in FM 22-5, Drill and Ceremonies and others

8. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Sergeant Major: Assistant to regimental adjutant, keeping rosters and forming details Handled "interior management and discipline of the regiment.” Served “at the head of the noncommissioned officers.”

9. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Quartermaster Sergeant Assisted regimental quartermaster Assumed duties in his absence Supervised loading and transport of the regiment's baggage on march

10. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War First Sergeant: Enforced discipline and encouraged duty among troops Maintained duty roster, made morning report to commander, and kept company descriptive book.

11. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Sergeants and Corporals: Instructed recruits in military training. Stopped fights and gave punishment Forwarded sick lists to the 1st Sergeant. In battle, NCOs closed gaps caused by casualties, encouraged to stand ground and to fire rapidly and accurately.

12. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Strong NCO Corps helped sustain the Continental Army through hardships to eventual victory Von Steuben’s regulations established the foundation for NCO duties and responsibilities from 1778 to the present.

13. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Until World War II, NCO received promotions from regimental commander. Rank not transferred between regiments Transfer in grade from one regiment to another required permission of the General in Chief of the Army Without permanent promotions, stripes stayed with the regiment

14. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Badge of Military Merit awarded to SGT Elijah Churchill, SGT William Brown and SGT Daniel Bissell Purple heart with floral border and word "merit" inscribed across the center. Precursor to the Medal of Honor introduced during the Civil War. Reinstituted in 1932 as the Purple Heart

15. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War In 1821, War Department made first General Order regarding NCO chevrons SGMs and quartermaster SGTs: worsted chevron on each arm above the elbow CPLs: one worsted chevron on right arm above the elbow. Ended in 1829 but became a permanent part of NCO’s uniform before Civil War.

16. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War In 1825, established systematic method for selecting NCOs Appointment of regimental and company NCOs remained right of regimental commander.

17. NCO History:Revolution to Civil War Abstract of Infantry Tactics (1829) provided instructions for training NCOs Ensured that all NCOs possessed "an accurate knowledge of the exercise and use of their firelocks, of the manual exercise of the soldier and of the firings and marchings."

18. NCO History:Civil War to World War I Due to advances in weaponry, the Civil War marked a distinct change in warfare. Needed to defeat an enemy’s army in the field and to destroy the enemy’s will Total War: reduce capacity to resist through military, economic and political means.

19. NCO History:Civil War to World War I During Civil War, NCOs led the lines of skirmishers that preceded and followed each major unit. NCOs carried the flags and regimental colors of their units, a deadly role Crucial to maintain alignment and for commanders to observe units on field

20. NCO History:Civil War to World War I Tactical changes led Army to employ more open battle formations. Changes further enhanced combat leadership role of the NCOs New technology (railroads, telegraph communications, etc.) would impact NCO rank structure and pay.

21. NCO History:Civil War to World War I Artillery and Signal Corps required advanced technical knowledge In 1870 the Signal Corps established a school at Fort Monroe for training officers and NCOs Army leaders thought experience and not the classroom made a good NCO.

22. NCO History:Civil War to World War I Army began defining NCO duties during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Blue Book grew to 417 pages in the 1909 Noncommissioned Officers Manual Described duties of 1st Sergeant and SGM and customs of the service. Chapter on discipline stressed role of punishment in achieving discipline

23. NCO History:Civil War to World War I In 1902, the chevron rotated to point up and became smaller in size. Clothing had become more form fitting, creating narrower sleeves 10-inch chevron of the 1880s would have wrapped around sleeve of 1902 uniform

24. NCO History:World Wars & Containment World War I required the training of four million men, one million to go overseas Corporals were primary trainers, teaching weapons and maneuvers. Commanding General John J. Pershing suggested special schools for sergeants and separate NCO messes

25. NCO History:World Wars & Containment Pace of technology during late 1930s caused creation of “technician” ranks in grades 3, 4, & 5 (CPL, SGT & SSG) Technician ranks ended in 1948, but later reappeared as ‘specialists’ in 1955.

26. NCO History:World Wars & Containment 1SG carried files in a black book Names and professional history of every member of the company 1SG accompanied men on runs, drill field, training, or the firing range Book passed from 1SG to 1SG

27. NCO History:World Wars & Containment Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 greatly increased the numbers NCOs Mobilization and other factors, created growth in NCO percentage to total forces Increased from 20% of enlisted ranks in 1941, to nearly 50% percent in 1945, 8-man infantry squad increased to 12

28. NCO History:World Wars & Containment First class of 2d Constabulary Brigade's NCO school in Munich enrolled in 1947 In 1949, US 7th Army took over and it became the 7th Army NCO Academy In 1957, AR 350-90 established standards for NCO Academies

29. NCO History:World Wars & Containment By 1959, over 180,000 soldiers attended NCO academies Army encouraged enlisted men to advance education by other means By 1952, Army developed the Army Education Program to allow soldiers to attain credits for academic education.

30. NCO History:World Wars & Containment In 1958, Army added two grades to the NCO ranks: E-8 and E-9 NCO ranks were corporal, sergeant, staff sergeant, sergeant first class, master sergeant and sergeant major.

31. NCO History:World Wars & Containment In Vietnam War, much of the burden of combat leadership fell on the NCO Army began the NCO Candidate Course, with three sites at Fort Benning, Fort Knox and Fort Sill. After 12-week course, graduate became an E-5; those in top 5% became E-6s.

32. NCO History:Post-Vietnam & Volunteer Army After draft ended, NCOs needed more sustained training Primary Leadership Dev. Course (PLDC), Basic NCO Course (BNCOC) Advanced NCOC Course (ANCOC) Sergeants Major Course (USASMC)

33. NCO History:Post-Vietnam & Volunteer Army Sergeants Major Academy operates three courses for particular positions: First Sergeant Course (FSC) Battle Staff Course (BSC) Command SGM Course (CSMC)

34. VDF Values The VDF honors U.S. Army Values They define character traits that help develop and maintain discipline. They cause soldiers to do the right thing and continue doing the right thing They are important for leaders because actions speak louder than words

35. VDF Values Loyalty Duty Respect Selfless Service Honor Integrity Personal Courage

36. VDF Values LOYALTY Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, Commonwealth of Virginia Constitution, the VDF, your unit and other soldiers.

37. VDF Values Stand by your soldiers’ honest mistakes – they can’t learn without making a few Take pride in their accomplishments and ensure your superiors hear about them. Make sure they understand their mission, know how to accomplish it

38. VDF Values Know that you and your soldiers are part of a bigger picture; every soldier has a task that supports the overall objective. When the commander makes a decision, execute – don’t talk down about it either with your peers or your soldiers.

39. VDF Values DUTY Fulfill your obligations.

40. VDF Values Take responsibility to do what's right, no matter how tough and even when no one is watching. Accomplish all assigned or implied tasks to the fullest of your ability. Take the initiative and anticipate requirements based on the situation.

41. VDF Values RESPECT Treat people as they should be treated.

42. VDF Values Respect is treating others with consideration and honor. Expect that others are as committed to getting the job done as you are and accept different ways of doing so. Don’t have to accept every suggestion to show respect; just expect honesty and professionalism

43. VDF Values SELFLESS SERVICE Put the welfare of the Nation, the Commonwealth, the VDF and your soldiers before your own.

44. VDF Values Selfless service is placing your duty before your personal desires Ability to endure hardships and insurmountable odds in the service of fellow soldiers and our Commonwealth Placing your duty and your soldiers’ welfare before your personal desires has been key to the uniqueness of the NCO

45. VDF Values HONOR Live up to all the VDF values.

46. VDF Values Honor starts with being honest with one’s self and being truthful and sincere in all of our actions. If something does not seem right to you or someone asks you to compromise your values, then you need to assess the situation and take steps to correct or report the issue.

47. VDF Values INTEGRITY Do what's right, legally and morally.

48. VDF Values Adhere to moral and ethical principles. Having integrity and being honest in everything you say and do builds trust. All soldiers are watching to see that you are honest and live by your word. If you make a mistake, admit it, learn from it and move forward.

49. VDF Values PERSONAL COURAGE Face fear, danger, or adversity (Physical or Moral).

50. VDF Values Persevere in what you know to be right. Don't tolerate wrong behavior in others. Physical courage is overcoming fears of bodily harm while performing your duty. Moral courage is overcoming fears while doing what is right even if unpopular.