Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs)

Paper Summary:

The paper explains the origin of the non-commissioned officers (NCO) corps of the U.S. Army and outlines the nine categories of NCOs from corporal to command sergeant major. The paper relates that NCOs have the feel of the "pulse of the unit" because they work closely with the enlisted personnel. The paper also relates that the officers rely on the NCOs to get things done and maintain discipline among the troops. In addition, the paper asserts that even if the ultimate command and responsibility rests with the officer, the officer should heed the counsel of the NCOs.

From the Paper:

"The Officers Corps of the United States Army or any military establishment for that matter is known as the "brain of the organization." It is where leadership and command responsibility at its ultimate is exemplified. Be it the lowliest officer candidate to the general officer, officers form the core not only of leadership and command but the overall management of the military structure as well. At the bottom rung of the "totem pole" are the enlisted personnel who form the bulk of the army or military organization."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Answers.com. Noncommissioned Officer. 2007. 08 July 2007. <http://www.answers.com/topic/non-commissioned-officer?cat=technology>.
• Arms, L.R. A Short History of the NCO. 01 November 1991. 08 July 2007. <http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/csi/arms/arms.asp>.
• GruntMilitary. Army Enlisted Rank Insignia. 2007. 08 July 2007. <http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/rank3.shtml>.
• Williams, Anthony J. The Role of the NCO in Transformation - Non-Commissioned Officers, U.S. Army. March 2001. 08 July 2007. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IAU/is_2_6/ai_74454296>.

More papers on Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs):

• Term Paper # 98194 : "The Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)"
• Analytical Essay # 150110 : "The Empowerment of the American Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)"
• Term Paper # 93514 : "NCOs in Vietnam"

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