A short history of the Non Commissioned Officer Corps of the United States Army. This presentation was the basis of a professional development program for Soldiers in my platoon with the idea I could hand it to anyone else to present. Many of the slides fail to comply with text limitations and font size established by any reasonable presentation development program, however I knew the groups would be small and the screen large.

1. History of the NCO
For more information about Non-comms across the military, check out
Backbone of the Armed Forces on SlideShare.com
v.1.1

2. Information about this PresentationInformation about this Presentation
● I prepared this presentation for the NCOs assigned to
my platoon during OND to emphasize the importance of
good leadership at the NCO level.
● Our unit was conducting squad size missions deep in
Iraq while the main body was stationed in Kuwait. Some
of the material references what was current events
during our deployment.
● I am continually editing and improving the presentation.
Early versions had stronger biases. There really is TOO
much text on each page but that is one of the things I am
fixing with each update.
● Please contact me with your professional questions and
comments by email: christopher.saint.cyr<at>gmail.com

3. Introduction
● Discuss how studying historical people and events help
make us better leaders
● Discuss the role of the NCO from the earliest days of
US Army
● Discuss how the NCO has become the Backbone of
the Army by reviewing their role in various historical
eras and situations
● Discuss the evolution of the NCO from disciplinarian to
professional leader
● Discuss the importance of historical studies to
professional development

4. Studying History
● Old saying, “Those who fail to learn from history
are doomed to repeat it.”
●
NCODP about the attack on the 507th
Maintenance Co. at Nasiryah during the
invasion of Iraq in 2003.
● What FOB is Nasiryah near?
● Why is it was important to remember the lessons of
that battle?
Alberto Azzalini. CC License

5. Studying History
● Army was formed 14 Jun 1775
● National Guard units trace their history
farther back
– Rogers Rangers were a New Hampshire MilitiaRogers Rangers were a New Hampshire Militia
Company during the French & Indian War. TheCompany during the French & Indian War. The
Rangers in the regular Army lay claim to ourRangers in the regular Army lay claim to our
heritage.heritage.
– Gov Cutt established the NH Provisional Rgt inGov Cutt established the NH Provisional Rgt in
March 1680March 1680
● How can studying the rebellion against
the king in 1775 through 1781 help us
understand how current insurgents
operate?
By Thomas Hart (publisher); Johann Martin Will (artist)

6. The Early Days of the NCO

7. American Revolution
● NCO role originally from British military
● Infantry company had four Sergeants and four
Corporals
● The First Sergeant was selected by the CDR from
the four Company Sergeants
● No clearly defined duties
● In 1778, GEN Washington recruited Friedrich von
Stuben
● von Stuben entered the United Stated through
Portsmouth Harbor.
● Back in the day, 3BN HQ was in the Portsmouth Armory
●

8. American Revolution
● von Stuben wrote the Blue Book.
● Established standardized duties and responsibilities for NCOs
● Each company was assigned four Corporals, three Sergeants
and one First Sergeant
● The First Sergeant kept the company book
● Sergeants and Corporals
● Maintained discipline and order
● Ensured Private Soldiers maintained uniform arms and equipment
● The Blue Book served the Army for 30 years.

9. Discussion
● What are some examples of things NCOs do
today that are the same during the Revolution?
● What document that many military leaders use
today was first established by von Stuben?

10. Before the Civil War
● NCO's maintained soldier discipline at remote outposts
● Native attacks required the Army be prepared to defend
traders and settlers
● The regular Army remained small as State Militias
provided bulk of the nation's fighting force.
● In 1821, the first chevrons were worn
● Non-comms served at the pleasure Regimental
Commanders
● First NCO development programs instructed for SGM and
1SGs by commanders.
● SGM and 1SGs trained new corporals and sergeants
● How does our modern promotion system mirror that of the
early 1800s?

11. The Civil War
● Sergeants led lines of skirmishers providing early
warnings of attacks.
● President McKinley recognized for gallantry during
the Battle of Antietam as a Mess Sergeant
● Sergeants were assigned to lead individual pieces
of artillery.
● Sergeants supervised signal outposts
● The Army's Artillery School and Signal Corps
began training Sergeants to operate gun and
signal systems

12. Discussion
● In what ways did Redleg and Signal Corp
NCOs lay foundations for future, formal NCO
education?
● What were the effects and implications of
assigning NCOs to supervise
picket lines, guns and signal
outposts?

13. NCOs During Industrialization
(Civil War – WWI)

14. The Frontier
● Much of the time between the Civil War and
WWI were spent on the frontier fighting Indian
Tribes
● The battles againt Chief Victorio of the
Chiricahuas tribe.
●
Sergeant George Jordan of K Co. 9th Cav
● In 1885, Congress authorized retirement pay
after 30 years for enlisted soldiers at 75% of
their entitlements

15. Spanish American War
● Before the Spanish American War, the regular Army stood at about
26,000 men.
● Congress doubled the size of the regular Army and mobilized over
200,000 more troops from State Militias.
● 1 July 1898: The Battles of El Caney and San Juan Heights
●
Corporal Warren J. Shepherd of D C., 17th Inf Reg at El Caney
● Heavy Spanish resistance
● He and his men halted and assessed the situation
● Shepherd crawled through open fields with his men continuing the attack
● The King of Battle opened fire on the Spanish main defensive position, a
blockhouse
● Shepherd captured the blockhouse and held it through the afternoon
● When the Spanish began to realized they lost their defensive stronghold,
they abandoned the defense bringing relief and victory to Shepard and his
troopers

16. Discussion
● In what ways were the battles during the Indian
Wars similar to the Counter-insurgency battles
modern soldiers are fighting?
● What lessons can we learn form the Indian Wars
that help today's leaders?
● Why did SGT Shepard's men follow him through
the open fields under fire?
● How can we apply those lessons to our own
leadership styles?
● How did enlisted retirement influence NCOs?

17. WWI
● As in past wars, the regular Army found itself
undermanned for the battles in Europe
● As the ranks swelled, NCOs were called upon
to conduct basic combat training of new
soldiers
● GEN Pershing noticed American Corporals and
Sergeants were superior leaders compared to
their allied counterparts
● He developed an Academy for Sergeants

18. Sergeant York
● On 8 Oct 1918, CPL York's unit was attacking in the Argonne Forest
● The attack halted when defenders opened up with machine guns
● York's platoon was reduced to 16 men
● York led a flanking action against the machine gun positions
● York use his expert marksman skills to pick off the German machine
gunners
● As they advanced, York found he was the remaining unharmed leader
in the platoon

19. SGT York (continued)
● Approached the final German position with only six other soldiers he continued to
pick off any German who raised his head
● Six defenders charged York's position with fixed bayonets.
● He attacked the last man in line and worked his way to the front, killing all six,
using his 45 because according to legend, that was all he had left
● York talked a Battalion CDR and over 30 men to surrender
● Marched his prisoners to American lines he convinced more German's to surrender,
132 Germans
● He destroyed 35 machine guns positions
● He was promoted to Sergeant and awarded the CMH.

20. Discussion
● In what ways did the NCO
benefit from their
professional behavior in
the days leading up to
American participation in
WWI?
● How does SGT York's
actions demonstrate the
importance of NCOs living
the Army Values?

21. The Period Before, During and After
WWII

22. Pre WWII
● Restructured NCO ranks
● Added Master Sergeant, Technical Sergeant and Staff
Sergeant
● Force reductions resulted in many soldiers' demotions
● Increased importance Tech Sergeants
● Tech SGTs were considered highly paid Privates with
specific technical training
● Hard stripe Sergeants supervised soldiers &
considered combat leaders distinguished by green
tabs on their epaulets.

23. WWII
● The Army turned to the NCO Corps to conduct initial
basic training and their basic military occupation
specialties.
● Corporals lost their role as squad leader as the
infantry adopted the fire team concept
● Stories are plentiful of NCOs stepping up to
leadership challenges under fire, overcoming those
obstacles the bringing victory to their small units
● It was also during this time that some NCOs learned
to used the system to benefit themselves in less than
honorable ways

24. Post WWII
● First NCO academies in Europe
● NCO leadership increased in importance
● Academies focused on the importance of
training and education for career soldiers
● The Army downsized after conflict
● NCOs would be called upon to build the force in
the next war

25. Discussion
● How do SGT York's actions in the Argonne
Forrest demonstrate his following of Army
Values?
● Why would soldiers follow York when they faced
overwhelming odds of survival?
● What are some of the benefits we have today
because of demonstrated NCO leadership
during this era?

26. Korea through TodayKorea through Today

27. Korea
● When the North invaded the South, the Army was
weak and caught off guard
● Early battles were nothing more than holding actions
● Small unit actions supervised by squad and team
leaders due to arduous terrain
● NCOs met the challenges, improvised and
eventually pushed the Communist forces back to the
38th Parallel
(on the verge of victory, the Army pushed too far and
caused China to enter the war changing the balance of
power)

28. Vietnam
● Unstable period of American history
● The war became increasingly unpopular, yet NCOs
strived to keep their soldiers disciplined and alive
● Small unit tactics renewing the call for qualified,
experienced NCOs
● The Army established an NCO Candidate Course
● The first Sergeant Major of the Army was appointed
during the period
● The NCO Educational System was established

29. Post-Vietnam
● The 1970s and 80s required strong leadership from NCOs
● Attendance at NCO schools became mandatory for promotion
● Establishment of the NCO Battle Staff course and the First Sergeant's course
● The NCO Historical Museum was established at the Sergeants Major Academy
● In 1991, the Sergeants Major Academy published the first edition of the NCO
Journal
● The Journal recognized the need for a professional publication for enlisted leaders
● Roles of senior NCO and junior officer reversed.
● PSGs & 1SGs are as responsible for teaching officers leadership as officers
were for teaching NCOs 100 years ago
● NCO success stories abound during military engagements in Kosovo,
Grenada, Haiti, Panama, Somalia, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq.
● NCOs have important roles in the downsizing and realignments after the Cold
War
● NCOs lead large units on the battlefield without officers because of their
demonstrated leadership and professionalism

30. Discussion
● How has the role of the NCO evolved from the days of the
Revolution until today?
● In other parts of the world, NCOs do not receive the same
respect as American NCOs. How does that impact both
operation conducted with other military units and American
military units?
● Why is it necessary to provide leadership training for future
enlisted leaders?
● How has the relationship between officer and enlisted by
the growing professionalism and leadership abilities of
NCOs?
● Why is the NCO called the 'Backbone of the Army'?

31. Questions or Additional Discussion

32. References
Arms, L. R. (2007). A history of the nco. Briggs Army Airbase, TX. U.S. Army
Museum of the Noncommissioned Officer, U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
Dyal, Donald H. (1996) Historical dictionary of the spanish american war. Westport,
CT. Greenwood Press.
Graves, Ronald K. (2011). The importance of history to the military leader. NCO
Journal, March 2011.40-43.
Schoomaker, Peter J. (ed.) (2006). Army leadership; Competent, confident, and
agile (FM 6-22). Washington, D.C. Department of the Army
Tilley, Jack L. & Shinseki, Eric K. (eds.) (2002). The army noncommissioned officer
guide (FM 7-22.7). Washington, D.C. Department of the Army
Wikipedia. Battle of fort tularosa. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tularosa.
Retreived April 25, 2011.
Wikipedia. Spanish-american war.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish%E2%80%93American_War. Retrieved: April
25, 2011

33. Photo Credits
● A work in progress. Many of the pictures I found on various military websites. Several were used with permission from friends
or taken by me.
● York painting by Frank Schoonover public domain. York picture in US Archieves.