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

2. Army Field Manual (FM) 7-22.7: Army Non-Commissioned Officer Guide
References
Army Field Manual (FM) : 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 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 Book emphasized importance of selecting quality soldiers for NCO positions
Blue Book served a generation of soldiers as the primary regulation for the Army for 30 years.
Part of Blue Book still 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 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 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. Loyalty Duty Respect Selfless Service Honor Integrity Personal Courage
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. DUTY Fulfill your obligations.
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. RESPECT Treat people as they should be treated.
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. 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. INTEGRITY Do what's right, legally and morally.
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. PERSONAL COURAGE Face fear, danger, or adversity (Physical or Moral).
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.

51. VDF Values Courage is needed to make and support unpopular decisions.
Do not compromise values or principles.
If you believe you are right after consideration, hold to your position.
Ability to listen to soldiers’ problems, to go to bat for them in a tough situation

52. VDF Values L D R S H I P Loyalty Duty Respect Selfless Service Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage

53. Professional Development
Leader Development Process:
Institutional Training
Operational Assignments
Self-Development

54. Professional Development
VDF Professional Military Education provides leader and MOS skill training
Continuous cycle of education, training, experience, assessment, feedback and reinforcement.
The needs of unit and the demonstrated potential of the leaders are always kept in focus and balanced at all times.

55. Professional Development

56. Professional Development
Self-development is life-long, standards- based, competency driven process
Complements institutional and operational experiences to provide personal and professional development.
Accomplished through structured and non-structured, technical and academic learning experiences

57. Professional Development
Self-development includes structured and self-motivated development tasks.
Tailored towards building the basic leader skills and closely tied with unit NCO Development Programs.
Self-motivated development activities help senior NCO develop organizational leadership skills.

58. NCO Transition
The transition from an enlisted soldier to a NCO is a historical tradition
Transition from one that was cared for to one who cares for others
Transition from one who was taught to one that teaches, prepares for and supervises tasks.

59. NCO Transition
You will do the job you have been rained to do – lead soldiers.
You must speak with your own voice when giving orders
Treat each soldier the same and give the respect he deserves, as you will expect to receive same treatment in return.

60. NCO Transition
Remember that you are now responsible and accountable for your soldiers
Total commitment from those selected to lead, train and care for its soldiers
Being an NCO is extremely rewarding.
An honor and a privilege
Never forget awesome responsibility.

61. NCO Creed
The “NCO Creed” is a code of conduct used by the VDF to educate enlisted leaders about their responsibilities and authority.

62. NCO Creed No one is more professional than I.
I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers.
As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “the Backbone of the Army.”
I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned 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.

63. NCO Creed
I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety.
Competence is my watch-word.
My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind – accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers.
I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient.
I am aware of my role as a noncommissioned officer.
I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role.

64. NCO Creed
All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership.
I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own.
I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed.
I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

65. NCO Creed
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine.
I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers.
I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike.
I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders.

66. NCO Creed I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage.
I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

67. Initial Entry Training
Professional Military Education
Initial Entry Training
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