NCO
Stripes, not bars
NCO stands for noncommissioned officer—a military rank earned through promotion from enlisted service rather than commissioned through officer training.
NCOs include sergeants and petty officers, forming the backbone of military leadership at the squad and platoon level.
They bridge the gap between commissioned officers and enlisted personnel: The NCO barked orders at the recruits.
Mid-level military rank
- corporalOf the flesh
- staff sergeantNon-commissioned officer rank
- master sergeantSenior enlisted military rank
- first sergeantSenior NCO in company
gunnery sergeant · sergeant major · lance corporal · petty officer · specialist · flight sergeant · chief petty officer
Signed up formally
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- squadSmall working group
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
- chain of commandFormal authority hierarchy
promotion · rank insignia · chevrons · rockers · stripes · mess · corps · detachment
Developing abilities through practice
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- inspectionsSystematic examinations for flaws
counseling · readiness · accountability · enforcement · standards · evaluation · morale · welfare
Commanding physical presence
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- courtesiesPolite social behaviors
traditions · respect · honor · duty · service · camaraderie · brotherhood · professionalism
Advice for decisions
- experiencePractical knowledge from life
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
decision-making · problem-solving · responsibility · adaptability · communication · initiative · professionalism · authority
sergeant
Mid-level military rank
- corporalOf the flesh
- staff sergeantNon-commissioned officer rank
- master sergeantSenior enlisted military rank
first sergeant · gunnery sergeant · sergeant major · lance corporal · petty officer · specialist · flight sergeant · chief petty officer
enlisted
Signed up formally
chain of command · promotion · rank insignia · chevrons · rockers · stripes · mess · corps · detachment · unit
training
Developing abilities through practice
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
inspections · counseling · readiness · accountability · enforcement · standards · evaluation · morale · welfare · formation
military bearing
Commanding physical presence
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
courtesies · traditions · respect · honor · duty · service · camaraderie · brotherhood · professionalism · standards
guidance
Advice for decisions
- experiencePractical knowledge from life
- coachingGuiding others to improve
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
delegation · decision-making · problem-solving · responsibility · adaptability · communication · initiative · professionalism · authority · influence
- military personnelsoldiers, soldier, midshipmen, officers, troops
- military ranksgeneral, captain, major, sergeant, private
- Military AcronymsAWOL, MIA, KIA, POW, CO
- Army Enlistedprivate, corporal, sergeant, specialist, PFC
- British soldierssoldier, private, corporal, sergeant, major
- enlisted soldiersprivate, corporal, sergeant, enlisted man, recruit
Formally appointed military leader
officer · CO · lieutenant · captain · general