Senior Noncommissioned Officers Key in Iraq, Afghanistan

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hey i just want to tell you that i am a milltay daughter and i love it to dearth.

krystyna kerperien of MI 12:28PM April 19, 2010

The NCO Corps.......truely the backbone of the Army as never before. Senior NCOs are now being given responsibilities and authorities they never had before, especially right after the Vietnam War. My hat's off to this fine band of brothers

Perry Snider of CO 6:55AM March 12, 2010

This article was only recently brought to my attention. I am a veteran of 27 years in the Army. I served 12 years as an enlisted Soldier, starting aa a buck Private (E1) and attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class (E7) prior to being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. I have been an Artilleryman, a Military Intelligence Soldier, and a Combat Engineer. I have been an Operations Sergeant, a Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Operations Officer at Battalion and Brigade level. That's a fairly broad level of experience, but no claim to fame.
I can asure anyone that our Army functions very well because we have both commissioned and non-commissioned officers. Each has a specific role and purpose, and any unit is lacking critical perspective and leadership if one is missing. Not to mention the fact that no officer will achieve success without the support of good NCOs.
Any officer that is worth his salt recognizes that he is dependant upon the NCOs to see to the daily welfare and training of his Soldiers. Missions do not get carried out without the NCOs. Soldiers' needs do not get met without the NCOs. The war stops without the NCOs.
I am proud to have served as a Sergeant, just as I am proud to serve today as an officer. It is not a caste system. Anyone who thinks himself more elite because he is an officer is simply immature in his personal leadership development. I don't think there is a large percentage of officers that retain that idea today, but surely some do.
I am proud of our NCOs today. They are heroes. Volunteers, all. It is an honor to lead them. I am also proud of our officers. Their job is critical, the demands upon them great. They, too, are volunteers. From grunt to clerk, all serve a greater cause. We have the greatest military man has ever seen because our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen choose each day to put the uniform on and step into harm's way. That is what matters.

Mel Anderson, LTC of UT 10:08AM January 25, 2010

As a former Army NCO during 68-71. I will attest to the truth that the NCOs of all services are the backbone of leadership, trust, commitment and duty needed to accomplish the goals placed before the military. Thank you finally recognizing them.

Jim O'Donnell former SGT USA of CA 12:13PM November 11, 2009

I can only guess that those commenting above referring to a Caste System in reference to this article or the Military, have little or no experience with either.
The American Military has not been in any form or resemblance of a Caste System since total integration was brought about under President Truman. Even then it certainly was not close to a Caste System. Point: in a true Caste Society there is no degree of hope for upward mobility. The American Military NCO's all start at the bottom, none are born into the leadership roles they hold.
While I can only speak of my personal experience, which is in fact quite extensive in this, as having been an NCO, both in the Navy Seabees, and the US Army, (retired) and working for, and with, many fine, outstanding NCO's, this article is long overdue.
I would like to personally thank the author, Anna Mulrine, for finally giving recognition where due. The NCO is the backbone of the US Military. The fine Officers may be in charge of things, but it is, and always has been, up to the NCO's the run the show. And many thanks as well to COL's Crowther and Hook, who also took time to show their appreciation for this article.
Again, a Thank-You,
SGT David A. Taylor, USA Retired

David A. Taylor, SGT USA, Retired 6:07PM November 07, 2009

I've worked with a lot of foreign militaries in my 27 years on active duty. Evey military has lots of officers. What makes us different and allows us to perform at levels far superior to other militaries is our Non Commissioned Officer corps. Thank you for recognizing them, they deserve that and more.

COL Alex Crowther 2:18AM October 29, 2009

Congrats on an excellent article describing the present day challanges to the Senior NCO ranks. As I experienced in my short 22 years in the U.S. Army, the Senior NCOs are the "glue" to keep the unit together, both during combat and peacetime. I am also glad to see that a Senior NCO is finally in charge of the Sergeant Majors Academy. That should have happened many years ago, but nothing wrong with "better late than never". Thank you again for outlining how important the Senior NCOs in today's Army fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq!!!

Richard B. Hook, LTC, U.S. Army, Retired of VA 8:00PM October 28, 2009

"Cast System
It is a shame that our Army still operates with a Caste system."///
It is a shame the writer "armykungfu of GA" has no idea how a successful military works. It is not a caste system but a system of ever increasing leadership responsibilities, devotion, trust and immediate obedience. The rank structure allows for a simple understanding of order and the flow of information. Without such a structure there would be chaos
A military is not some social experiment. The military has one job and that is to defend the way of government it pledged to serve. The military is the last option of diplomacy it is not the failure of diplomacy. It's main job is to kill the enemy and break his will to resist. It is not "meals on wheels."

Skyraider of FL 8:58AM October 27, 2009

I am glad to see that you have corrected the title in your online version of the article. The printed version, received yesterday, used the term Senior Enlisted Officers. Obviously, Senior Noncommissioned Officer is correct. These individuals are the backbone of all the services.

Charles Eller of TX 11:40AM October 23, 2009