Self-confidence, the abilities to listen and communicate,
and a view of the larger picture are all skills required of a
noncommissioned officer (NCO). The mission of an NCO
is to fulfill what we call the “backbone” of the Army. We are
individuals who can hear and understand a mission and then
take the necessary steps to make it happen. It is an honor to
serve as an NCO because I take pride in leading my Soldiers
to success. I take pride in contributing to the wider goals of my
unit by helping other people succeed. These tasks require me
to invest in individual Soldiers, to lead a group of people by
instruction and example, and to properly represent the missions
and morals of the 10th Mountain Division.
As an NCO, I must know and lead each Soldier under my
command. I make it clear that they all must succeed, and I do
what is necessary to ensure that each of them is a strong, able
part of our group. This requires me to pay attention to their
strengths and weaknesses. I work with them to ensure that they
are able to physically perform their duties, and I also ensure that
they understand how to be a Soldier. Since the Soldiers under
my command are paratroopers, they experience the importance
of knowledge and ability every time they jump from a plane. As
their NCO, it is my duty to help each of them overcome their
fears and apply their knowledge in every exercise. An NCO
must ensure that each Soldier understands the importance of
training.
As I pay attention to every Soldier under my command, I
also understand that the job of an NCO is to create a strong unit
of Soldiers. If I am their leader, I lead them as individuals and
as an entire team. My job as an NCO is to spend time every day
ensuring that my team is in top physical condition. I push them
beyond what they think they can do. An NCO also must lead
a team in such a way that commands respect and builds trust.
If I am going to get the job done and fulfill orders every day, I...