The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer

The United States Army has labeled this year, “The Year of the Noncommissioned Officer.” According to my research, the last time the Army officially celebrated our NCOs with a year-long event was 20 years ago.

As an officer in the Army, I can personally testify to the quality of our sergeants and I can say that I am very confident that there isn’t a single successful officer in the Army that hasn’t been positively influenced by an NCO. I can think of a few great sergeants in my 11 years that have shaped who I am.

When I was a lieutenant, my platoon sergeant, Sergeant First Class Moody had the biggest influence in my military life. He taught me about holding your soldiers to a standard, never wavering from that standard. He taught me how to hold people accountable.

When I was a captain and a company commander, there was a crew of great NCOs that taught me a lot of things. My first First Sergeant, 1SG John Fetty was, is, and always will be my hero. Eventhough I only worked with him for 2 months, I would be a lesser officer today had I not been exposed to his experience. My 2nd week in command of the 82nd Airborne Division’s only aerial delivery company, we had an excercise to determine our proficiency of rigging and outloading a battalion under the “wheels up in 18 hours” standard. The company rigged 58 pieces of equipment in less than 18 hours in the December cold. 1SG Fetty was there for every minute. Over the next several weeks I really learned what tough love was. He knew how to break a soldier down, how to build him back up. He always took care of soldiers, whether they realized it or not.

SFC Trail, working an issue with the company supply sergeant, Specialist Breland.

SFC Keith Trail, my last First Sergeant, was the “Don’t worry sir, I got it” guy. He was the epitome of the go-to, make-it-happen noncommissioned officer. He knew every trick a soldier would pull– because he pulled them all when he was a soldier. Trail is the guy that you give the hardest job to because you know, no matter what, he will get it done.

My long-time friend, Staff Sergeant Jeff Anderson. I might have survived command without him, but it would have been a lot harder. He got me out of more than one jam and really helped me get the company current on medical readiness. From providing last-minute drop zone medical coverage, to combat lifesaver bags for my unit, to more than one shot clinic- Jeff helped make me successful.

An old battalion commander of mine said something that really stuck with me. She called noncommissioned officers, “officers, noncommissioned.” I subtle rewording but it gets to the point. Our sergeant are, first and foremost, officers. They just don’t have a commission.

SSG Anderson and I getting ready to jump out of an airplane.

To all of the great NCOs in my life: thank you so much. If I can include just a fraction of what I have learned from you, I will be a better officer for it. To all the NCOs in the best Army in the world- this year is for you. Thank you so much for truly being the “backbone of the Army.”