Sometimes heroism is merely grim determination or even a matter of timing. -The Story of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps, 1989, p. 215

Don’t be a sissy. -1SG Robert W. Burns (and former NCO in the British Army), in Command, Leadership, and Effective Staff Support, 1996, p. 186

Courtesy

Courtesy among military men is indispensable to discipline.... In the Army courtesy...helps to keep the great machine moving without friction. -Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917, pp. 11, 13

In military life...personal courtesies are even more necessary than on the outside. The members of a military organization must, of necessity, live very close to one another.... But in the Army...you cannot pick and choose your companions. You march, you drill, you eat, you sleep, you literally live beside your neighbor who is assigned to his place the same as you are assigned to yours. Under such circumstances it requires more than ordinary forbearance and common courtesy to make life worth living. -The Old Sergeant’s Conferences, 1930, pp. 40-41

We act with courtesy toward our senior because we recognize his responsibility and authority. Toward a junior, we show equal courtesy, acknowledging the essential role he plays as a member of the military team. -The Noncom’s Guide, 1948, p. 98

Dedication

To quote General Creighton W. Abrams, "There must be, within our army, a sense of purpose and a dedication to that purpose. There must be a willingness to march a little farther, to carry a heavier load, to step out into the dark and the unknown for the safety and well-being of others." I will take some liberties with that statement and close with this: "You must, as an NCO, have a sense of purpose and a dedication to that purpose. You must be willing to march a little farther, to carry a heavier load, to step out into the dark and the unknown for the safety and well-being of your soldiers, and for the country that you have sworn to defend." -CSM John W. Gillis, "NCO Leadership at the Company Level." Armor, Nov-Dec 1981, p. 9

"We are all born to be heroes..." The words belong to an American philosopher named William James. The attitude can belong to anyone who decides to own it. James also said, "We commonly lead lives inferior to ourselves." So which is it going to be for you- becoming what you were born to be, or continuing to be less than you are?... You can teach yourself devotion to duty. You can practice dedication. It’s in attention to the split seconds that we make a glory of life. -CSM Matthew Lee, "Bridge the Gap." Engineer, No. 3, 1987, p. 3

Two years after the close of [WWI, 1SG Fred A. Allen] suddenly found himself the holder of a document which proclaimed him a nobleman [a duke], which was bestowed upon him at the direction of Albert, King of the Belgians, for bravery in the front line trenches in France. [Now as] a member of the Belgian society, Sergeant Allen would be allotted a yearly allowance from that government were he residing in Europe, towards the upkeep of his rank. However, a true American, the veteran soldier prefers to be just "a top-kick in the good ‘ole’ United States Army..." -William F. Salathe, "A Noble Top Sergeant." U.S. Army Recruiting News, 1 Aug 1929, p. 6

Sergeant Christopher Reid...had been wounded in action...when fighting had erupted in Mogadishu. He told me his squad and members of his platoon had fought through three city blocks to reach a downed U.S. Army helicopter. The last thing he remembered was the heat of the helicopter burning and everything turning red. When he woke up, he was in a hospital, missing a leg and part of an arm. Chris told me his story in a strong, unwavering voice. He did not have to be there that cold, winter morning, but he wanted to be with his squad, with his friends, one more time. He then looked into my eyes and with great determination said, "You know, sir, knowing what I know now, I would do it again." -GEN Gordon R. Sullivan, Hope Is Not a Method, 1996, p. 61

More than any calling, soldiers do not live by bread alone. -Rudyard Kipling, address "National Bands." 1915, p. 3

The duties required [of the Sergeant Major] are more varied and exacting, the hours longer, and an all-day holiday, or even a free Sunday, is an unknown pleasure to him, unless he avails himself of a pass or furlough, which he very seldom does on account of the responsibility for the continued and proper performance of the work intrusted to him. -Report of the Inspector-General, 1893, p. 789

Without commitment, our freedom, our rights, and the peace we take for granted would cease to exist. -CSM Randolph S. Hollingsworth, "Vantage Point." Military Intelligence, Oct-Dec 1995, p. 3

It is all for the Union. -Elisha Rhodes (CPL, SGM, and COL), regarding hardships during the Civil War, All for the Union, p. 41

Dependability

A soldier always wants the best to be at his front, rear, right and left, trained to stay there regardless of what may happen. -SMA Glen E. Morrell, in The Sergeants Major of the Army: On Leadership and the Profession of Arms, 1996, p. 7

Every soldier’s performance is important [and] in teams every soldier depends on every other soldier. -FM 22-600-20, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1980, p. 5

Your men must feel that they can rely upon you in an emergency. -The New Noncom’s Guide, 1970, p. 11

We will always plan, rehearse, and refine, but when push comes to shove, we will rely on our sergeants. -GEN Gordon R. Sullivan, "The Chief’s View of NCO Leadership Challenges." NCO Journal, Winter 1994, p. 7

Determination

We were going to stand or die. That’s all there was to it. This was not an order from HQ; it was the determined opinion of the men. -Albert M. Ettinger, WWI, A Doughboy with the Fighting Sixty-Ninth, p. 122

We have been so intent on death that we have forgotten life. And now suddenly life faces us. I swear to myself that I will measure up to it. I may be branded by war, but I will not be defeated by it. -Audie Murphy, To Hell and Back, 1949, p. 273

I again found myself in the midst of old chums, but what a difference! Poor half starved miserable looking men, mere wrecks of humanity- but with that unconquerable look about them. -SGM Tim Gowing, Crimean War, in On the Word of Command, p. 35

If your task is hard, that of the enemy is not easier, perhaps even more difficult than yours. You only see your own difficulties and not those of the enemy, which certainly exist. Therefore, never despair, but always be bold and stubborn. -"Battle Maxims for the Russian Soldier." Infantry, Feb 1917, p. 469

One man leads by sheer strength of his determination which sweeps all obstacles before it. Another leads through thoughts and ideas which stir...minds.... Overcome the obstacles that fall across your pathway. -The Old Sergeant’s Conferences, 1930, pp. 134-135, 130-131

One of the tests of your quality as a soldier is your ability to "take it," to carry on with your duties in spite of your personal griefs or joys. -Old Sarge, How to Get Along in the Army, 1942, p. 104

When you don’t have quantity you make up for it with quality and staying power. -SMA William G. Bainbridge, "First, and Getting Firster." ARMY, Oct 1975, p. 24

[The soldier in basic training] needs to decide that he really wants to do it. It’s about 85 percent mental. -Drill Sergeant Jim Barrett, in "A Day in the Life of a Drill Sergeant." Soldiers, Aug 1978, p. 10

The "three Ps"- prayer, patience, and perseverance- get you ahead and allow you to get through anything. -CSM Daisy C. Brown, in "Prayer, Patience, Perseverance." ARMY, Apr 1989, p. 41

Adversity brings the best out of most soldiers. -RSM Fred Grimshaw, in On the Word of Command, 1990, p. 67

There’s nothing in the world that can take the place of persistence. Talent won’t, genius won’t, education won’t. If you’re persistent and determined to keep going, you’ll get there.... You can never see the full development of yourself down the road. But there’s a certain distance you can see. I believe if you go as far as you can see and then get there, you’ll be able to see a little bit farther and so on. -SMA Gene C. McKinney, in "SMA McKinney Launches Each Day with NCO Creed." NCO Journal, Fall 1995, p. 14

Most of life’s failures and consequent suffering is due to the fact that the force of will is neither developed nor trained by conscious intelligent effort.... It is commonly known that the secret of concentration is interest in the thing at hand. A man who fails in his mission and cannot see his fault will never improve, and since military discipline knocks men about with such ruthless jocularity one is made to see his faults, whether or no, and soon sees the foolishness of not being interested. Military training gives the student sufficient power of will to do the things that should be done, to become interested in the things he knows he should be interested in.... Military training causes the student to be patient. It endows him with determined persistence of purpose. It gives one a dynamic but abiding will which can always accomplish more than the static or explosive will. The person who has the true spirit of the soldier has got the grip of a bulldog. -SSG Ray H. Duncan, "The Value of Military Training." U.S. Army Recruiting News, 1 Mar 1925, pp. 4, 12

All of the tactical and technical proficiency in the world will do no good unless you have the will to use it. -TC 22-6, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1990, p. 40

I...learned one thing in my various scraps in the Army: Fight hard and fast and don’t let up. Then, even if you get beat, the guy won’t bother you again. -Albert M. Ettinger, WWI, A Doughboy with the Fighting Sixty-Ninth, p. 181

The equipment and weaponry will continually change and improve, and the size of the military will expand as needed, decreasing during times of peace. But the unyielding will of the soldier and the dedication of professional military leaders will not change. -SMA George W. Dunaway, Center of Military History Interview, 1990, p. 66

Discipline

I was determined to keep my life focused and disciplined so that I could continue to serve my country and honor all those soldiers who had died that others might be free. -MSG Roy Benavidez, Medal of Honor, 1995, p. 170

People have said to me the Army’s hard. Well, life is hard. They say it requires too much discipline. But everything requires discipline: Army, school, job, marriage. -SGM Richard Willis, in recruiting brochure "What’s in It for You?", no date or page number

Discipline...gives you control over yourself under combat and hazardous conditions. -The Noncom’s Guide, 1954, p. 62

As a recruit I took discipline as a nasty medicine; today it’s the nectar of the Gods. -Jim, an old war-scarred veteran, in "Who Gets the Most Out of Life?" U.S. Army Recruiting News, 1 Nov 1923, p. 16

Be self-disciplined enough to be the "rock" all seek when the water begins to churn. -CSM Brent H. Cottrell, "Keeping the Troops Informed." AUSA files, no date or page number

It makes me sad when I reflect on an NCO who is optimistic, flourishing, and successful, and who goes down for the count over an instance of lacking self-discipline. Then there is always more the crushing realization that now, a whole family is in distress. Whatever self-indulgent pump you get from this loss of discipline, can’t be worth the consequences. -SGM Joseph B. Quig, "Self-Discipline." Recruiter, May 1992, p. 13

The core of a soldier is moral discipline. It is intertwined with the discipline of physical and mental achievement. It motivates doing on your own what is right without prodding.... It is an inner critic that refuses to tolerate less than your best.... Total discipline overcomes adversity, and physical stamina draws on an inner strength that says "drive on." -SMA William G. Bainbridge, "First, and Getting Firster." ARMY, Oct 1975, p. 24

Military discipline is looked upon by many in the sense of punishment, which it is not.... We live our lives in an atmosphere of discipline.... Everything with which we come in contact stands ready to enforce upon us certain immutable laws and to administer disciplinary correction when we violate them. Let me illustrate. We handle fire. If we are careless it burns us- disciplinary correction. We misuse our stomach. It rebels and puts us to bed- disciplinary correction....

Many soldiers join the Army looking for and expecting discipline: They want an environment where confidence is instilled through tough training, where good performance is acknowledged and rewarded, and where leaders establish and enforce standards. -CSM Richard N. Wilson, "Bridge the Gap." Engineer, Nov 1992, p. 57

I [expect] strict discipline and I want it: if an officer or noncommissioned officer were to be easy and soft with me I would distrust him, for the reason that my experience with that sort of men has been that they always "duck" responsibility and try to throw the burden of any mistakes on the fellow under them or on somebody else. The sharp-spoken positive man has always been willing to take full responsibility for all his acts and orders even when he was wrong or had made a mistake. I know I can do better work under a strict and even a severe officer or non-commissioned officer than I could under an easy one. -a recruit, in "Talks by the ‘Old Man.’" National Guard, Apr 1915, p. 72

Doing What’s Right

We must...prove by our acts conclusively, that Right Has Might. -Harry S. Truman (former CPL and CPT), address, 1945, Harry S. Truman: The Man from Missouri, p. 6

It is everyday actions that are the bone and muscle of a healthy code of ethics. -MSG Frank J. Clifford, "How to Be a Noncom." Combat Forces Journal, Dec 1954, p. 27

A code of ethics...cannot be developed overnight by edict or official pronouncement. It is developed by years of practice and performance of duty according to high ethical standards. It must be self-policing. Without such a code, a professional soldier or a group soon loses identity and effectiveness. -SMA Silas L. Copeland, "The NCO Must Grow with Army." ARMY, Oct 1972, p. 24

Our soldiers are counting on us to do what is right. -SMA Julius W. Gates, "Sergeant to Sergeant." Sergeants’ Business, Jan-Feb 1988, p. 4

CSM Don Stafford...taught me that you’ve got to do the tough thing, but do it in the least painful way and make sure everyone...understands it. -BG Jay M. Garner, in "Sarge." Air Defense Artillery, Jul-Aug 1989, p. 15

Your goal should be the development of a shared ethical perspective so that your soldiers will act promptly, with the moral strength to do what is right.... Regardless of the source of pressure to act unethically, you usually know in your heart the right thing to do. -TC 22-6, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1990, p. 43

Serving with dedicated leaders who try to do what is right changes people for the better, and for their whole lives. Each of us can do that for those who serve with us. Everyone should experience how tremendous the Army can be. -CSM Saundra Matlock, in Command, Leadership, and Effective Staff Support, 1996, p. 197

Doing what’s right is practical, efficient, and effective because it saves time and trouble. I have seen this. -CSM David Spieles, in A Treasury of NCO Quotations, 1997, no page number

Flexibility

If you take the positive qualities of the soldier and develop them along the right lines [you will get] the flexibility and the cheerfulness which is so important in the soldier. -RSM J. C. Lord, To Revel in God’s Sunshine, 1981, p. 133

Flexibility is the ability to stay afloat in a sea of changes. -MSG Douglas E. Freed, "Learning to Lead." Army Trainer, Fall 1987, p. 29

Heart

Heart is what makes the American soldier. -SFC Barbara J. Ray, "Letters to the Editor." NCO Journal, Summer 1993, p. 21

I know the content of my heart. -MSG Roy Benavidez, Medal of Honor, 1995, p. 173

Honesty

You must show your men why they must be honest- why it makes good sense.... Here’s another way to look at it. Say you are falsely accused of something. But the Old Man knows you are honest. So you tell him you didn’t do it and that ends it. His time is saved for more profitable things, and you are spared the suspicion that always hangs over a man who is known to be even a little short of honest. -Handbook and Manual for the Noncommissioned Officer, 1952, pp. 14, 15

Among the things I’ve learned during my career is that you must be honest with everyone about everything. -SMA Glen E. Morrell, "Sergeant to Sergeant." Sergeants’ Business, May-Jun 1987, p. 4

Be tough. Let your people know where they stand.... Don’t give lip service, nor accept it. Check personally. Don’t make assumptions. Don’t tolerate incompetence and don’t alibi or procrastinate. Above all else, as a leader and as a human being, be honest in all that you do. -1SG Larry Drape, address "The Do’s and Don’ts of Quality NCO Leadership." 1990, p. 11

You have to be honest or people won’t come back to you. -Michelle A. Davis (NCO family member), in Command, Leadership, and Effective Staff Support, 1996, p. 133

You can count on NCOs to tell it like it is. The reason for this is because there is little leeway for errors at the mission execution level- the level at which NCOs operate. Things are right or they are wrong. -C. I. Yamamoto, in A Treasury of NCO Quotations, 1997, no page number

Keep a sharp eye out for individuals who constantly court your favor. These are...deceitful characters. -The Noncom’s Guide, 1948, p. 18

Nothing was worse than a thief, for he would rob us of our trust in each other.... All our tomorrows, if there were to be tomorrows, would depend upon our trust in each other. -SGM Lloyd Decker, WWII, "The Sergeant Catches the (Gold) Ring." ARMY, Jul 1978, p. 37

Once you get away with a lie it sometimes becomes necessary to tell more and more of them to cover up the initial one, until you create a tissue of lies that sooner or later will collapse. -The NCO Guide, 1982, p. 105

Cheating...is beneath the professional standards of all soldiers, regardless of rank. -SFC Charles R. Souza, "MILES Cheating: Key to Failure." Army Trainer, Summer 1985, p. 5

Over time [being unethical] comes out. -Drill Sergeant Harry T. Conn, in "On Leadership." Soldiers, Mar 1985, p. 28

For love and honour are the same, Or else so near alloy’d, That neither can exist alone, But flourish side by side. -verses from "The NEW RECRUIT," or the "GALLANT VOLUNTEER, a New Song," 1778, Ordeal at Valley Forge, p. 227

Every unethical act done by one of us diminishes all of us. -MSG Jack D’Amato, "‘Nobody’s Business’ Creates Ethical Dilemmas." NCO Journal, Winter 1995, p. 7

Honor

Your word of honor...is the singular thing which you bring into this world. You are the only one who can give it, and you are the only one who can diminish its validity. To have someone value your word of honor with their trust is a supreme tribute. -1SG Larry L. Tolar, in "The NCO" In Their Own Words, 1991, no page number

Leaders have honor if they morally and courageously do their duty to the best of their ability. -FM 22-600-20, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1986, p. 42

Your soldiers want you to be good at your job, but they also want you to be decent and honorable. -TC 22-6, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1990, p. 42

[When soldiers of the 4-32 Armor, 3AD began to take prisoners, the Iraqi soldiers] started yelling and screaming at my soldiers, "don’t shoot us, don’t shoot us," and one of my soldiers said, "hey, we’re from America, we don’t shoot our prisoners." That sort of stuck with me. -1SG Dennis L. DeMasters, in TRADOC Pam 525-100-4, Leadership and Command on the Battlefield: Noncommissioned Officer Corps, 1994, p. 26

Humor (See also Some Things Never Change)

Experience has shown us that a sense of humor can accomplish a lot more than one would think. -SFC Bruce Danielson, in "The NCO" In Their Own Words, 1991, no page number

If you make people laugh, you’ve created some happiness. -Bill Mauldin quoting his grandmother, The Brass Ring, 1971, p. 28

Without humor, war would drive any sane person out of his mind. -Bill Mauldin, in "Sgt. Bill Mauldin: ‘The Enlisted Man’s Cartoonist.’" NCO Journal, Winter 1992, p. 18

You have to have integrity in the Army, but you also need a sense of humor to deal with the problems involved with accomplishing the mission and taking care of soldiers. -1SG Stephen M. Bunting, in Command, Leadership, and Effective Staff Support, 1996, p. 162

I don’t know but it’s been said, The sergeant major buffs his head. -Jody call, "Hey, Baldy!" Soldiers, Jun 1988, p. 28

[During the Vietnam conflict, after Sergeant Roy Benavidez pulled a major’s leg with tall tales about Indian beliefs, the major said to him] "Sergeant, we are fortunate to have you. You are an American Indian. I am aware of the formidable scouting abilities of your people. You will be a great help on point." -Roy P. Benavidez, The Three Wars of Roy Benavidez, 1986, pp. 34-35

[In 19th-century India, British soldiers would sometimes teach a parrot or a minah bird] the uncomplimentary nickname of his troop-sergeant-major, and, when it was proficient, hang its cage up in a commanding position, where to the delight of the men, but chagrin of the victim, it would give public utterance to the obnoxious designation. -Troop-Sergeant-Major E. Mole, in Rank and File, pp. 130-131

Frisbee had not very many faults. The only ones I can readily recall were swearing, gambling, lying, drinking, stealing, and speaking evil of the orderly [first] sergeant. -E. Benjamin Andrews, Civil War, in Rank and File, p. 128

[At Windsor Castle, Drummer Arthur Spratley is filling a bucket with laurel leaves for a ceremony] when he finds a bearded, regal looking figure at his side. This regal figure is no less a person than HM King George V, who demands to know what the Drummer is doing. The Drummer explains the tradition and His Majesty enters into the spirit of things by saying that on this particular day he, personally, will choose the leaves. [The King is very meticulous in his selection of leaves, and upon Drummer Spratley’s return to the Guardroom, the RSM said] "Drummer, where the...hell have you been! and where...did you get that bloody mangy looking lot of leaves from?" -LTC G. H. Ealden (former RSM), in On the Word of Command, 1990, p. 182

Ingenuity and Innovation

If you work hard at being imaginative and resourceful as well as tactful, it will pay dividends.... Search out the problems and do something personally about them. -1SG Larry Drape, address "The Do’s and Don’ts of Quality NCO Leadership." 1990, pp. 9, 11

Officers and men must be encouraged to use imagination in their work, for it is imagination that holds interest. -MAJ B. G. Chynoweth, "The Enlisted Apprentice." Infantry, Nov 1921, p. 490

WARNING!! To utter, think, or practice any of the following within the hallowed walls of this Academy is tantamount to absolute disaster: "It can’t be done because... We’ve never done it that way before; We tried it that way once before; We’ve always done it this way; That’s not our (or my) responsibility." -sign posted just inside the entrance to the Sergeants Major Academy, "Ultimate for NCOs." Soldiers, Aug 1976, p. 22

Junior leaders, given a larger role in managing their soldiers’ time, tap a gold mine of innovative and creative abilities in more efficiently accomplishing their missions. -CSM Autrail Cobb, "JRTC and Combat Success." NCO Journal, Summer 1991, p. 9

Since we execute policy and doctrine during exercises and combat operations, NCOs are the first to see whether the doctrine is sound. If the doctrine does not work- after honest effort- we are charged to suggest changes. -SFC Douglas C. Sleeth, "NCOs Need Encouragement to Write for Military Journal Publication." ARMY, Jul 1988, p. 14

NCOs could...display considerable ingenuity. Apparently peeved that in tugs of war occasionally staged between teams of horses and mules, the heavier horses usually won, a stable sergeant devised a scheme to insure a victory for the mules. Over several months he trained the mules to recognize that when he banged on a tin pan in the stables, their oats were ready. On the day of the big contest, the sergeant maneuvered the animals so that when the mules began to pull, they would be headed toward their stables. When an accomplice in the stables began at the strategic time to bang on a pan, the struggle was over. Leaning into their collars, pulling in unison, the mules dragged the proud horses backward across the field. Only a soldier who was "horse-drawn" could know the full extent of the disgrace. -GEN William C. Westmoreland, A Soldier Reports, 1976, p. 16

The Navy officer informed me, "I can’t reach their guys with this hardware, General. I need a plain old telephone." In this supersophisticated center we did not have a single ordinary line. A sergeant popped up and said, "I can get you one, sir." Go to it, I said, and he started tearing up the floor panels to run a line in. Our resourceful sergeant quickly produced a functioning commercial telephone. -GEN Colin L. Powell, My American Journey, 1995, pp. 442-443

A drum and its appurtenances may, in the hands of a clever fellow, answer many good purposes besides that of being beaten on. Should a flock of geese or ducks obstruct your line of march, two or three may be safely and secretly lodged in it; and the drum case will hold peas, beans, apples and potatoes, when the havresack is full. -Francis Grose, Advice to the Officers of the British Army, 1783, p. 120

Pose problems and assign creative projects to your men in addition to routine duties. Not only does this provide a constructive and satisfying outlet for their initiative, but the results can be beneficial to the unit- perhaps to the entire Army. In 1942 a committee of sergeants in Company D, 15th Infantry, brainstormed the method for dry-firing and sensing mortar burst at realistic ranges that was later adopted as standard for all IRTCs in the United States. -SFC Forrest K. Kleinman, "Tips on Troop Leading." ARMY, Aug 1958, p. 43

If there is a good idea that has found its way into our daily operation, there’s a good chance it either began or was nurtured by a noncommissioned officer. -MG Paul E. Funk, "The NCO’s Role Is Crucial in Setting the Army’s Standards." Armor, Nov-Dec 1992, pp. 3-4

NCOs are in the best position to identify and implement...improvements at the soldier level. -SMA Richard A. Kidd, "From the SMA." NCO Call, Sep-Oct 1991, inside front cover

Fairness and Justice

In his relations with his men, a noncommissioned officer must try to be as just and impartial as his wisdom and experience will allow. Impartiality is a fine word, but it is an even finer action.... Because of the physical fact that the noncom is intimately associated with his subordinates...it is not easy for him to maintain the fine line of deference necessary for effective control. Uppermost in his mind should be the proven principle that he should not be "one of the boys." He’s not paid to be, he’s not expected to be (especially by the boys), and it is entirely inappropriate that he be. He can only lose if he tries, the force of gravity being what it is. -MSG Frank J. Clifford, "How to Be a Noncom." Combat Forces Journal, Dec 1954, p. 27

All [victuals and ammunition] that shall be delivered by the Sardgentor...to the Corporal, he shall with equalitie devide and distribute the same betwexte the Souldieres of his squadron, withoute any fraude or parcialitie, and procure that they acomodate them selves in all places with amitie like true companiones, and let him selfe in worde and deede be carefull and lovinge towardes them, so shall he by the better reputed both by his Superiores and Inferiores. -A Discourse of Military Discipline, 1634, p. 12

The average private does not mind how strict you may be just so you are fair and impartial.... If there is any one thing that soldiers can not stand, it is partiality. -Noncommissioned Officers’ Manual, 1909, pp. 12, 25

The confidence of the soldiers in the integrity of a non-commissioned officer can only be obtained by his being rigidly just and impartial to those under him, and by keeping his temper on all occasions, and discharging his duty without passion or feeling.... Non-commissioned officers have it in their power at times to favor certain soldiers, that is, to relieve them from the most disagreeable part of the duty before them, and give it to others. Such distinctions soon destroy their influence over men, and give rise to trouble and difficulty. -Customs of Service for Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, 1865, pp. 101, 103-104

A troop sergeant-major occupies a position which enables him to exert, for good or for evil, great influence over his men. It is said that the non-commissioned officer is the backbone of the army, but it is equally true that he can do much harm unless he is strictly impartial and identifies himself with the interests of his men. -Field Marshal Sir William Robertson (former private and SGM), c. 1885, in Rank and File, p. 156

During the winter we had several company courts martial, three noncommissioned officers sitting in judgment, and the proceedings reviewed and acted upon by the first sergeant. Of course, the written proceedings were not very voluminous. The result was, no man was tried by general or garrison court martial; summary courts were unknown. Another result, some men were doing extra guard and fatigue duty instead of loafing in the guard house and letting better men do their duty. When a man could not be managed without violence he went to the guard house, but much of the time "B" Troop was not represented there.

Remove justice and what are kingdoms but gangs of criminals on a large scale? -St. Augustine, quoted by CSM Aaron N. Gibson, "From the Regimental Command Sergeant Major." Army Chaplaincy, Summer 1995, p. 2

Loyalty

If I could say just one thing to soldiers, it’s "keep faith in the Army." -SMA Robert E. Hall, in "New SMA Stresses ‘Keep Faith in Army.’" Pentagram, 17 Oct 1997, p. 2

You have a loyalty to your military superiors and a loyalty to the men under you. You work for them both. -Handbook and Manual for the Noncommissioned Officer, 1952, p. 5

Loyalty is one of the most desirable traits of a leader. But loyalty can be misdirected- and it often is. The result is a lessening of combat effectiveness because misdirected loyalty erodes the special trust that soldiers must have in the leaders who are responsible for their lives.... To determine whether or not we are guilty of misdirecting our loyalty, we should ask ourselves, "To whom are we being loyal?"... As a guideline [in being loyal to superiors] we might ask ourselves, "What information would I want and need to know if I were in charge?"...

Loyalty to the unit [includes the] obligation to save lives, be considerate of the well-being of one’s subordinates and comrades, instill a sense of devotion and pride in [the] unit, and develop [the] cohesiveness and loyalty that mold individuals into effective fighting organizations. -FM 22-600-20, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1986, pp. 41-42

You must give [soldiers] reasons to have confidence and pride in themselves, in their leaders, and in their units. Only then will you have loyalty. -SMA George W. Dunaway, Center of Military History Interview, 1990, p. 60

Even though you perish, help your comrade. -"Battle Maxims for the Russian Soldier." Infantry, Feb 1917, p. 469

No matter how difficult times are...those of us who love the Army must stick with it. -CPT Charles Fry, quoted by SMA Richard A. Kidd, in "A Sergeant Equal to a General." Red Star, Jun 1993, no page number

Preparedness

The man who [is ready for an emergency] is the man who has prepared himself. He has studied beforehand the possible situation that might arise, he has made tentative plans covering such situations. When he is confronted by the emergency he is ready to meet it. -MAJ Christian Bach (former NCO), 1918, address "Leadership." in Congressional Record Appendix, Vol 88- Part 9, p. A2253

The better prepared you are, the better chance you have at being successful. -SMA Richard A. Kidd, in "Sgt. Maj. Kidd Visits Military Academy." Shenandoah, 11 Jan 1995, p. A 12

Forethought, a most valuable asset, is really an acquired trait. -Noncommissioned Officers’ Manual, 1909, pp. 11-12

Think up problems and then solve them- imagine yourself in a certain situation and then work yourself out of it. -Noncommissioned Officers’ Manual, 1917, p. 27

Never get so caught up in cutting wood that you forget to sharpen your axe. -1SG James J. Karolchyk, in "Leading by Example." EurArmy, Jan 1986, p. 26

Responsibility

It is said that "rank has its privileges." This is as it should be, particularly when we remember that one of the primary privileges of rank is to be entrusted with responsibility. -MSG Frank K. Nicolas "Noncommissioned Officer." Infantry, Jan 1958, p. 78

The king of Italy was remonstrated with for exposing himself to some danger. He replied, "It is my trade and I must do it." With everyone in high position, with everyone in command from the Corporal to the Major General or the Commander-in-Chief, there goes with the office and authority a responsibility and a requirement to sacrifice and expose oneself to danger and fatigue in order that the subordinates shall be enabled to do their work better or gain encouragement by the example. -"Talks by the ‘Old Man.’" National Guard, Jul 1915, p. 129

Each step up the ladder of leadership brings you a larger share of pay, prestige, and privileges. These are earned rewards for your willingness to accept greater responsibilities. They are not outright gifts. You are expected to pay back every dollar...in work and conscientious concern for your men and your unit, in many jobs well done. -The Noncom’s Guide, 1962, pp. 40-41

In the long run it’s better to take the blame than to "pass the buck." -DA Pam 350-13, Guide for Platoon Sergeants, 1967, p. 10

We have only one overriding responsibility: To perform our duty to the best of our ability, and with the initiative and extra effort needed to achieve teamwork and mission accomplishment.... If you are a commander, your command responsibility encompasses being held accountable for how well your unit detail, fire team, section, squad, platoon, etc., accomplished (or failed to accomplish) its organizational goals or missions. For example, the brigade commander and all the soldiers in an infantry battalion hold the Battalion Commander responsible and accountable for mission accomplishment. No one expects the Battalion Commander to act as a Tow Gunner- no matter how proficient he is. Because while he does so, who fights the battalion, makes future plans, and provides the resources and direction to the battle captains? If the Battalion Commander in this case did so, he is taking responsibility from one of his soldiers and not meeting his own.... Failure on the part of the company commander to hold the subordinate responsible shows that the company commander is shirking his/her responsibility to development subordinates. -FM 22-600-20, The Duties, Responsibilities and Authority of NCO’s, 1977, pp. 27, 26

Personal responsibility...begins in the early days of training where the raw recruit and the young officer aspirant are taught to understand that the lives of fellow soldiers depend upon the full and complete discharge of assigned tasks, however small. It develops further as young NCOs face the challenge of being the one turned to by the squad when faced with an unfamiliar situation, faulty equipment, injustice or personal problems. -GEN Edward C. Meyer, "Professional Ethics Is Key to Well-Led, Trained Army." ARMY, Oct 1980, pp. 13-14

My country gave me some stripes and those stripes gave me the responsibility to lead. -SGT Rayson J. Billey (Bill Mauldin’s "Willie"), in "Buck Sergeant Billey." Soldiers, Mar 1983, p. 26

Over the years we have seen many changes in our Army- vehicles, weapon systems, uniforms, and organizations- have all changed. However, one thing has not changed- the responsibility entrusted to U.S. Army noncommissioned officers to lead, train, take care of and serve as role models for our soldiers. -SMA Julius W. Gates, "Sergeant to Sergeant." Sergeants’ Business, Mar-Apr 1989 p. 2

Whatever job you’re assigned to and wherever you are in the world, think of the responsibilities you have. Think of that overall picture. -SSG Tejinder Soni, in "NCOs Speak for Themselves." Field Artillery, Aug 1989, p. 15

A duty is something you must do because of the position you hold. -FM 22-600-20, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1986, p. 25

A duty is a legal or moral obligation. There are specified duties related to your job and position. These specified duties are found in ARs, general orders, ARTEP publications, UCMJ and MOS job descriptions. These items prescribe duties and standards. We also have directed duties. These directed duties are given orally or in writing by a superior. Then there are implied duties.... These implied duties are not written anywhere; implied duties may not even be related to your MOS. They depend on your own initiative. Implied duties are the duties that make all the wonderful things that we do as NCOs happen. These are the duties that make you proactive instead of reactive. These are the duties that prevent training accidents and save young soldiers’ lives. -CSM Joshua Perry, "Regimental Command Sergeant Major." Military Police, Nov 1989, p. 3

The job has to be done, and somebody has to do it, and we happen to be the ones that were picked to do it, so we’ll go on doing it the best we can. -SGT Alban J. Petchal, WWII, Ernie’s War, p. 230

Selflessness

No matter how humble the positions we were destined to fill [after the Civil War], we were always to derive infinite satisfaction from the thought that in the hour of the country’s peril we had not been found wanting, but had cheerfully rendered what little service we could, to defend its honor and preserve its life. -Theodore Gerrish, 20th Maine Volunteers, Civil War, in Rank and File, p. 412

By avoiding emphasis of your own importance and at the same time retaining your firmness and fidelity to duty you place yourself in the best possible attitude to assist those under you in carrying out your orders without humiliation to themselves. The American citizen soldier may be taught to obey and endure, they may be induced to charge into the cannon’s mouth; but it is patriotism and duty which dominates them- no man can drive them save as they recognize in him the fellow servant and the minister of the authority to which they acknowledge their allegiance. -Instructions for the Non-Commissioned Officer, 1909, p. 5

Serving my country is the best thing I can do with my life. -1SG Isaac Guest, in "Portrait of a First Sergeant." Soldiers, Aug 1979, p. 34

As leaders of men, we who are noncommissioned officers hold a lofty position in our military society. But we are also servants. Thomas Jefferson once said, "When a man assumes a public trust...he should consider himself public property." We are public property, in the service of others. And, if we look about us we find that our commanders are also servants. So are our congressmen, our senators, our Supreme Court judges, and even our President. We are all servants of the American people- of our nation. We must never lose sight of this. It is important to an understanding of what we really are. -MSG Frank K. Nicolas, "Noncommissioned Officer." Infantry, Jan 1958, p. 78

There is no trade that can be made more repugnant than that of the soldier if he must comply with the demands of leaders who have not the interests of their subordinates at heart, and who are absorbed in their personal ambitions. -MAJ B. G. Chynoweth, "The Enlisted Apprentice." Infantry, Nov 1921, p. 490

Are you truly doing what’s best for the nation, what’s best for the Army, what’s best for your unit, what’s best for your soldiers and their families? Are you taking all of that into consideration, or are you looking at what makes you as an individual look the best? -SMA Richard A. Kidd, in "Lessons on Leadership." Soldiers, Feb 1995, p. 20

Sobriety

A Corporall...should be free from all Vices, especially the besotting Vice of drunkennesse. -Anima’dversions of Warre, 1639, p. 195

Reckless drinking is neither manly, military, nor gentlemanly, and is always a drain on the purse and body. -Noncommissioned Officers’ Manual, 1917, p. 27

There is no place in "our Army" for those who sexually harass or intimidate others, or whose use of alcohol or drugs degrades themselves and the soldiers around them. -SMA Glen E. Morrell, "The NCO: More Vital Than Ever to Readiness." ARMY, Oct 1983, p. 30

Swearing (Not Swearing)

The Sergeant Major [must not] suffer anie blasphemer, yea, if it were possible, not to have anie swearing by the name of God. -The Theorike and Practike of Moderne Warres, 1598, p. 111

The retort was a swift and brilliant sketch of Kim’s pedigree for three generations. "Ah!" [replied Kim], "In my country we call that the beginning of love-talk." -Kim (son of Colour Sergeant Kimball O’Hara), in Kim, 1900, p. 56

Never swear, it’s not fair. It only shows you are the one with ruffled hair- not him. -AcSM John Lord, in On the Word of Command, 1990, p. 100

Strength

The basic proposition of the worth and dignity of man is not a sentimental aspiration or a vain hope or a piece of rhetoric. It is the strongest, the most creative force now present in this world.... To meet the crisis which now hangs over the world, we need many different kinds of strength: military, economic, political, and moral. And of all these, I am convinced that moral strength is the most vital.... Our ultimate strength lies not alone in arms, but in the sense of moral values and moral truths that give meaning and vitality to the purposes of free people. -Harry S. Truman (former CPL and CPT), addresses 1945-1953, Harry S. Truman: The Man from Missouri, pp. 7, 27, 51

Once a person has undergone great trials and come through victorious, then throughout his life he draws strength from this victory. -Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgi Zhukov (former NCO), Reminiscences and Reflections, Vol 2, 1974, p. 474 One of the strengths of our great Army is the unique ability of our soldiers to rise to the occasion and get the job done, no matter what the adversities or the situation, during war and peace. -SMA Julius W. Gates, "Sergeant to Sergeant." Sergeants’ Business, Mar-Apr 1989 p. 2

Thinking

You must...use your head for other purposes than a hat rack. -SGT Frederick Sigmund, "How to Be a Successful Recruiter." U.S. Army Recruiting News, 31 Jul 1920, p. 6

The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country. -Abraham Lincoln, "Message to Congress" 1 Dec 1862, quoted in NCOPD Study, Vol 1, 1986, p. 185

Good work requires much thought, and concentrated thinking is the secret of genius. -SSG Ray H. Duncan, "The Value of Military Training." U.S. Army Recruiting News, 1 Mar 1925, p. 12

Intelligence and education command respect. -SFC Stewart E. Werner, "20-Year Man or Professional NCO?" Infantry, Mar-Apr 1965, p. 5

Life is tough. It’s tougher if you’re stupid. -caption on photo of John Wayne as a Marine Corps sergeant

As a leader, make sure you take the time to gain insight...because it will help you grow, and more importantly, help your people grow. -1SG Larry Drape, address "The Do’s and Don’ts of Quality NCO Leadership." 1990, p. 8

Reflecting back provides insight on what may lie ahead...and helps formulate a game plan. -CSM David W. Salter, "Regimental Command Sergeant Major." Military Police, Dec 1992, p. 3

Working Hard

A man’s whole life depends on his attitude towards his job. The fellow who looks upon it as a bore and a nuisance is riding to a fall- and that right fast. If he says, "I am a cog in a wheel"- a cog he will be, and remain.... The fellow who comes into the Army and is prepared to do [the right things] and does do them, is the one who gets ahead. You can’t keep him down.... If you would be successful in the profession of soldiering you must be ambitious- have an eagerness to achieve. You must gaze into the future and try to divine what it may have in store for you. You must live your life today, doing the duty that falls to you, whatever it may be, to the best of your ability. You must be expectant of tomorrow, ever planning ahead, and preparing to meet your problems, so that no one of them may come upon you as a surprise. Aviate every now and then by building what we term "castles in the air." Such a change is mental rest and does you a lot of good. It adds power to you and lifts your thoughts....

Put all you have into [your work] and it will become increasingly attractive and enjoyable. -Jo Merrick (WWI NCO spouse), letter 15 Jan 1978

Try doing your job today- every minute of that day- as if you were inside the skin of the most dedicated person you know. Do it again tomorrow, the next day, and the next- you could become [the] hero you were born to be. -CSM Matthew Lee, "Bridge the Gap." Engineer, No. 3, 1987, p. 3

It only costs a nickel more effort to make a first class product. Invest that nickel- you’ll get a good return. -former NCO Robert L. Laychak (who served in the 2d Armored Division at the same time as Elvis Presley), in Command, Leadership, and Effective Staff Support, 1996, p. 46

Just because the sun sets, the job doesn’t stop. -CSM Alton E. Crews, in "On Leadership." Soldiers, Mar 1985, p. 30

Any soldier, whatever his field, is happy as long as he’s doing something constructive. If he’s training and learning and getting that pat on the back when he earns it, he’s happy. -CSM David P. Taylor, "Education: One Key to NCO Development." Field Artillery, Dec 1988, p. 40

The hours are long, but if you love a job the way I love mine, you don’t even notice the hours go by. -Drill Sergeant David Blouin, in "Getting Back to the Basics." Sergeants’ Business, Mar-Apr 1989 p. 6

You’re not being paid by how hard you work, but by what you accomplish. -SMA William A. Connelly to MSG Dale Ward, in The Sergeants Major of the Army: On Leadership and the Profession of Arms, 1996, p. 33

The energy you exert in your job is transmitted to [soldiers], and that motivates them more than anything. -1SG Lloyd Smith, in "A Time to Become ‘Accelerated.’" ARMY, Mar 1989, p. 48

Many [soldiers] are experiencing a store of reserve energy they never knew existed. -SSG Rhonda S. Denny, in "The NCO" In Their Own Words, 1991, no page number

In Conclusion: Values

Values

I...believe in...all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent. -Audie Murphy, To Hell and Back, 1949, p. 273

Values are ideas about the worth or importance of things, concepts, and people. They come from beliefs. They influence priorities.... Professional beliefs, values, and ethics are the foundation of a leader’s character which enable him to withstand great pressures.... NCOs must discuss, emphasize, and teach professional beliefs, values, and ethics.... This occurs naturally as respected leaders demonstrate their beliefs and values; and teach, counsel, and provide good training.... The more you build these traits [courage, candor, competence, and commitment] in yourself and others, the more successful you will be. -FM 22-600-20, The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide, 1986, pp. 41, 11, 15

We serve our nation- our people- for the devotion, faith, and trust we place in our free, democratic system of government.... What is all this [emphasis placed on values and devotion to duty] about? It is all about surviving in this hectic, imperfect world; it is all about being free to live life to its fullest...and in that great intangible virtue possessed by all Americans- a commitment to service. It is about keeping our nation free. -SMA Glen E. Morrell, "What Soldiering Is All About." ARMY, Oct 1986, pp. 39, 40

Some of you may have heard me talk about my first platoon sergeant, SFC Putnam. He demonstrated his commitment to competence by teaching me, a new lieutenant, crew drills on the mortars and recoilless rifles that were the crew-served weapons in the platoon I’d just taken over. SFC Putnam also realized that the soldiers needed to see- by my actions and his mentoring as an NCO- that we both valued competence. As a result, he made sure that he taught me those crew drills in a place where the soldiers would see their lieutenant working to master the skills of their trade. That NCO knew what was meant by living Army values, and I’ve never forgotten that lesson. -GEN John A. Wickham, "Values." Soldiers, Dec 1986, p. 2

Values...are the heart and soul of a great Army. -DA Pam 623-205, The NCO Evaluation Reporting System "In Brief", 1988, p. 12

That uniform stood for something to me- and it still does, something pretty grand and fine. -SGT Henry Giles, WWII, The G.I. Journal of Sergeant Giles, p. 4

Values and Army Themes

The Army traveled a long road during the eight-plus years John O. Marsh, Jr...served as its top civilian leader. Many soldiers will remember how Marsh, aided by former President Ronald Reagan’s push for a strong defense, oversaw the fielding of dozens of new, state-of-the-art weapons systems- the M-1 Abrams, the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the Multiple Launch Rocket System, and others. Military strategists will credit the Marsh record with the Army’s continued transition to a lethal combination of heavy and light forces, including the activation of two new light infantry divisions. Aviation and Special Forces soldiers will remember that Marsh’s leadership brought them separate branches. Army family members will look back on Marsh as the leader who changed them from "dependents" to bonafide members of the Army community. And, no one will forget the astonishing rise in soldier quality during the Marsh years. But Marsh will likely be remembered best by the Army’s soldiers and civilians for his annual themes.

Values and Success

Success in the Army depends upon exploiting existing opportunities by hard work and application.... In the long run it may be said that the person who makes a success of the Army can be expected to make a success elsewhere. -MSG William J. Daly, "The Army as a Career." Army Information Digest, Feb 1952, pp. 46, 45

Inner discipline- one of the keys to success. -CSM George D. Mock, in "NCOs Reflect on Inspections." Sergeants’ Business, Jan-Feb 1990, p. 4

It is exciting to watch [young soldiers’] enthusiasm and eagerness. You have to love them when you see them excel, fail, and recover with an incredible effort to win. -CSM David P. Klehn, "Vantage Point." Military Intelligence, Jan-Mar 1991, p. 3

Find success, copy it, and modify it to fit your needs. -CSM John P. O’Connor, in "Learning (Small Group Instruction) in an Academic Environment (BNCOC)." Military Intelligence, Apr-Jun 1993, p. 52

I only asked three things from the soldiers I served with- to be on time for work and give me your best shot and take pride in your work. In turn, I’ll take care of you and make it work; we both win for the unit. -Medal of Honor recipient SGM Kenneth E. Stumpf, in "NCOs Who Wear the Badge of Honor." NCO Journal, Winter 1995, inside back cover

In the absence of any formal schooling...I watch a guy who’s been successful. -SMA Silas L. Copeland, in The Sergeants Major of the Army, 1995, p. 75

You need to act and look the way you want to be treated. To achieve the most success, act and look two grades higher than you are. -LTC Dean E. Mattson (former NCO), in A Treasury of NCO Quotations, 1997, no page number

Seize the initiative...create your own opportunities. -CSM Matthew Lee, "Are You Ready for the First Battle?" Engineer, Summer 1986, p. 3

What goes up must come down. What goes around, must come around. -SGM Hubert Black, in Command, Leadership, and Effective Staff Support, 1996, p. 109

The lucky fellow reaches out and grabs an opportunity, while others stand around and don’t know it’s there. -The Old Sergeant’s Conferences, 1930, p. 9

Success beats quitting any time...and in the long run, it’s easier. -SFC Patrick J. Coyle, "I Want Out." Army Trainer, Fall 1989, pp. 6, 7