CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea -– U.S. Army organizations are most effective when noncommissioned officers (NOCs) run them.

Officers lead organizations by providing intent, guidance, and direction to NCOs.

NCOs, this ability to run an organization is built upon trust and shared understanding. If you live the Army Values daily, demonstrate competence, remain motivated, and can accept constructive criticism, then officers can accomplish their duties, providing you the ability to lead our Warriors to accomplish any assigned mission.

Remember the NCO creed and live by it! “Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine!” I do not take this lightly. These words bond the NCO Corps with our officers.

Know your Soldiers, your unit, and the equipment you have. Above all, know when to seek guidance.

Apply yourself by being the example, both on and off duty. Share your knowledge and experiences with others. Show others that you’re proficient in your Warrior tasks and battle drills, and that you care about our team.

As an NCO, you should strive for more than proficiency. Our Warriors are watching you at work, in the field, and when you’re off duty. The character that you present is how our Warriors view our Division and the Army.

That means you need to take care of our Warriors. Train them. Get to know who they are by talking to them. Go see what their barracks room looks like. Often.

Communicating with our Warriors and ensuring their proper health and welfare is a part of running this Division. These abilities are not inherent in every NCO, but they are expected by every level of leadership in our Division.

You can develop these abilities through coaching and mentorship. Look to your fellow NCOs. We’re a corps and we take care of each other.

A crucial part of running an organization also involves working to improve it.

That requires disciplined initiative and a desire for excellence. You should strive to be better than you were at the previous rank- physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Rehearsals are keys to success. All NCOs conducts a rehearsal before every operation. Operations are everything we do on a daily basis. Physical Readiness Training, Drill and Ceremony, In-ranks inspections, PMCS, etc., are all operations that require rehearsals. The eight-step training model is the guide to everything ‘training’ that we do.

Consider different approaches to how you prepare our Warriors to be ready, resilient and physically fit to operate in combat.

We as NCOs must show our Soldiers that we are willing to do everything we expect of them. If my Soldiers are climbing the treacherous mountains in Korea, then my NCOs are out in front with them!

My NCOs will do everything they can to give my Soldiers a fighting chance!

Keep getting after it!

I’m proud to serve with each of you and recognize your efforts daily to make the Warrior Division Second to None!