A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is a military officer who does not hold a commission. Non-commissioned officers usually earn their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks. The NCO corps usually includes many grades of enlisted, corporal, and sergeant; in some countries, warrant officers also carry out the duties of NCOs. The naval equivalent includes some or all grades of petty officer. There are different classes of non-commissioned officers, including junior (lower ranked) non-commissioned officers (JNCO) and senior/staff (higher ranked) non-commissioned officers (SNCO). Senior NCOs are considered the primary link between enlisted personnel and the commissioned officers in a military organization. Their advice and guidance are considered particularly important for junior officers and in many cases to officers of all senior ranks.
NCOs have various roles and responsibilities in the military. They facilitate open and honest communications within the command, with a goal to ensure that the command excels in meeting the Commander’s vision, and achieving the mission. They prepare soldiers for military operations, oversee and promote Professional Military Education, and promote and nurture the system regularly. NCOs serve as the principal advisor to Commanders and the Command Group on the formulation and implementation of proposed policy changes affecting personnel, with a particular focus on the well-being of Soldiers, NCOs, civilian personnel, and their families. They also maintain standards of performance of soldiers and equipment, and check and correct constantly.
In the US military, an Army sergeant, an Air Force staff sergeant, and a Marine corporal are considered NCO ranks. The Navy NCO equivalent, petty officer, is achieved at the rank of. The Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System (NCOPDS) is the framework for developing the next generation of competent and committed NCOs. The NCOPDS is a comprehensive program that includes training, education, and experience gained through progressive and sequential processes throughout an NCOs career.
