THE NCO CREED TC 22-6

NO ONE IS MORE PROFESSIONAL THAN I What do these words mean to you? These words are more than a collection of words, it is a PROMISE and a PLEDGE. What are we committing ourselves to with this promise? To do whatever it takes to attain and maintain the highest military standards, to leave a legacy of selfless service, commitment to excellence and love of country to those who follow.

of Character and Competence ACTS... THE LEADER of Character and Competence ACTS... “Be” “Know” “Do” to Achieve Excellence Loyalty Mental Duty Physical Respect Emotional Selfless Service Honor Integrity Personal Courage VALUES Interpersonal Influencing Conceptual Operating Technical Improving Tactical ATTRIBUTES SKILLS ACTIONS VGT 2

I AM A NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER, A LEADER OF SOLDIERS What is a leader? The leader is the one in charge or in command. What are things that as a leader you must know? - You must first know yourself, what you are, what you know and what you can do. - To lead your soldiers effectively and for your own self-development, you must know your strengths and weakness. - You will establish priorities, explain the importance of missions, and focus soldiers on the task at hand. Keep your soldiers informed because a soldier with knowledge is an effective soldier. - Establish and enforce standards. Keep in mind your soldiers are a reflection of you, so lead by example. - Keep your soldiers always wanting to do their best. Challenge your soldiers, reward the good and punish the bad, train your soldiers according to their weakness and their strengths.

AS A NONCOMMISIONED OFFICER, I REALIZED THAT I AM A MEMBER OF A TIME HONORED CORP KNOWN AS THE “ BACKBONE OF THE ARMY.” You lead soldiers every hour every day. You see to it that they carry out orders in spirit and in fact. You live and work directly with and among soldiers, you have the best opportunity to know them as they really are. Once you learn their weakness and their strengths you will able to use them to their best of their capabilities. You lead soldiers at the action level where the important day-to-day fundamental work of the Army occurs.

I AM PROUD OF THE CORPS OF NONCOMMISIONED OFFICERS AND WILL AT ALL TIMES CONDUCT MYSELF SO AS TO BRING CREDIT UPON THE CORPS, THE MILITARY SERVICE, AND MY COUNTRY REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION IN WHICH I FIND MYSELF

When wearing your stripes always remember the men and women before you, who serve this country with pride and honor. Regardless of the situation, you must never forget who you are or what you are. The example you set every day is living testament that the ideals they fought and perhaps died for, are still alive in you.

I WILL NOT USE MY GRADE OR POSITION TO ATTAIN PLEASURE, PROFIT, OR PERSONAL SAFETY As a leader you must have ethical responsibilities. You must be a worthy role model even though you may face the temptation of using your new-found power or position to make things easier for yourself. You must be sincere, honest and avoid deceptive behavior. Integrity is the basis for the trust and confidence that must exist among soldiers. You must demonstrate integrity, you must not break the bond of trust between you, your soldiers and your leaders.

COMPETENCE IS MY WATCHWORD. Communication Supervision Teaching and Counseling Soldiers Team Development Technical/Tactical Proficiency Decision Making Planning Use Available Systems Professional Ethics

MY TWO BASIC RESPONSABILITIES WILL ALWAYS BE UPPERMOST IN MY MIND--- ACCOMPLISHMENT OF MY MISSION AND THE WELFARE OF MY SOLDIER A primary responsibility is to take care of your soldiers. Individual training is your primary job. You must develop trained soldiers who have discipline, are physically strong, mentally tough, and highly motivated. By training your soldiers, you contribute to your unit’s mission and combat readiness, and thus to the defense of the nation.

I WILL STRIVE TO REMAIN TACTICALLY AND TECHNICALLY PROFICIENT Institutional training Operational assignments Self-development

I AM AWARE OF MY ROLE AS A NONCOMMSIONED OFFICER I AM AWARE OF MY ROLE AS A NONCOMMSIONED OFFICER. I WILL FULFILL MY RESPONSIBILITIES INHERENT IN THAT ROLE Training and leading soldiers is your main responsibility, you also have other responsibilities to your commander. NCOs have the responsibility and authority for ensuring order and discipline.

ALL SOLDIERS ARE ENTITLED TO OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP; I WILL PROVIDE THAT LEADERSHIP This means you are no longer a “doer”, but that you get things done through the efforts of others. You must make sound and timely decisions to ensure that the task is understood, supervised and accomplished.

I KNOW MY SOLDIERS, AND I WILL ALWAYS PLACE THEIR NEEDS ABOVE MY OWN Deal with all soldiers different Directing-Leading soldiers who lack experience or competence at a time- critical task. Participating-Ask for recommendations/ information before making decision. Delegating-Mature,competent, motivated soldiers to perform a particular task.

I WILL COMMUNICATE CONSISTENTLY WITH MY SOLDIERS AND NEVER LEAVE THEM UNIFORMED. *Always keep the soldier informed;let the soldier know he/she matter. *Saying the correct thing at the appropriate moment and in the right way is a very important part of leading, and caring for your soldiers.

I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment. Rewards and punishment have different purposes. Rewards promote desired behavior; punishments reduce undesired behavior. Soldiers who work hard and do their jobs deserve your praise; Soldiers who intentionally fail to follow your guidance or meet clear standards may need reprimanding or punishment.

OFFICERS OF MY UNIT WILL HAVE MAXIMUM TIME TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR DUTIES;THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH MINE. We have a responsibility to the officers with whom we serve. Both you and your officers share the same goal; To accomplish the units mission. Soldiers see this team work and learn from it.

I WILL EARN THEIR RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE AS WELL AS THAT OF MY SOLDIERS. Your officers and soldiers are looking to you for outstanding leadership. You will initially receive respect based upon your leadership position, but you can only retain their respect and confidence through daily examples of courage, candor, competence and commitment.

I WILL BE LOYAL TO THOSE WITH WHOM I SERVE; SENIORS, PEERS, AND SUBORDINATES ALIKE. You have an obligation to those whom you serve. You owe them your loyalty-an understanding between you and them that you will always be there for them, in peace and in WAR.

I WILL EXERCISE INITIATIVE BY TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION IN THE ABSENCE OF ORDERS. All the tactical and technical proficiency in the world will do no good unless you have what it takes to use it. You are responsible for making sound and timely decisions on your own. Mistakes will happen, that’s part of the learning process. Just as you seek responsibility,you must take responsibility for your actions.

I WILL NOT COMPROMISE MY INTEGRITY, NOR MY MORAL COURAGE. You are a role model; Soldiers want to have a leader to look up to.They depend on you to enforce the values our society demands. Soldiers want you to be good at your job, but they want you to be decent and honorable. Be the ethical standard bearer- motivate your soldiers to develop self-discipline, to fight courageously and to do the right thing,regardless of any situation.

I WILL NOT FORGET, NOR WILL I ALLOW MY COMRADES TO FORGET, THAT WE ARE PROFESSIONALS, NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS, LEADERS! You are an NCO. You have a responsibility to your soldiers, peers, leaders, unit and the UNITED STATES ARMY to be the best NCO you can be. APPLY VALUES OF COURAGE,CANDOR,COMPETENCE AND COMMITMENT TO EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES FOR ALL TO SEE!

YOU ARE AN NCO! Their heroic examples of dedication and loyalty to their units, the Army and the nation fill our history books and stir our spirit. Their devotion to duty and our nations ideals, their sense of honor and courage tempered in the heat of battle, are the source from which today’s NCOs draw strength. You are part of that legacy, faced with responsibilities and future challenges. Your job is not an easy one. But just as they triumphed over any and all adversity, so can you. The Army expects it, your soldiers deserve it, and those who have come before demand it!