Noncommissioned Officer Culture

As Human Resources (HR) Specialist in the United States Army and a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO), I must be an expert in my profession. Earning the trust of the Service Members. Through my work ethic, I can help Soldier’s during deployment stay alert on the mission and not worry about their insurance being out of dated, or losing their promotable status due to human error. If I produce excellent work, I can affect the Army’s climate. Our field is very demanding, and sometimes it a can be a thankless job. I often sacrifice family and personal time to take care of my Soldiers. I do not expect the same from my subordinates, but by doing so I show them that I am willing to sacrifice for the betterment of the Army. Staying motivated and focused
What is Army culture? “Army culture is the system of shared meaning held by its Soldiers, the shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterize the largest institution over time” (An Army White Paper: The Profession of Arms, 2010 p.9.). Leaders need to be aware of this in order to keep up with the new challenges. In my unit, I create a climate where Soldiers are encouraged to work on self-development and are trusted to do their mission. I also ensure that they know who our Sexual Assault and Prevention Program and Equal Opportunity Program Representatives are. Soldier’s feelings and attitudes play a vital role in changing the culture. “I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own” (NCO Creed). I believe that by being approachable it encourages Soldier to bring their problems to the table, giving us an opportunity to fix them and change their perception towards the Army and its
“HR units and staffs perform the core competencies and key functions at theater-level and below. Not all HR key functions are executed at each level of command.” (Headquarters Department of the Army, 2014). I worked at the brigade and battalion level, and was responsible for multiple areas. I processed awards, Soldier’s actions, and personnel reporting that effected the overall success of our mission. I feel that HR leaders are the backbone of the Army, without HR support there would not be structure, accountability, and it would be impossible for senior leadership to make smart