NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS GUIDE
"The Choice of non-commissioned officers is an object of the greatest importance: The order and discipline of a regiment depend so much upon their behavior, that too much care cannot be taken in preferring none to that trust but those who by their merit and good conduct are entitled to it. Honesty, sobriety, and a remarkable attention to every point of duty, with a neatness in their dress, are indispensable requisites...."
-Baron Von Stuben-
The success of any military unit ultimately rests on the actions of the private soldier. These actions are a direct reflection of his state of training, morale, and motivation to do the job. From the very beginning, the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) has been the person most responsible for training and motivating the private. He does this through being trained and motivated himself and passing this on to his men through continual communication and education. Communication stays open only as long as the NCO has the respect of the officers over him and the men in his charge. Education is the constant watchword of the NCO. It is the duty of the NCO to learn the job at the next highest rank in case he must eventually fulfill that role. A good NCO realizes that there is always more to learn.
Many of the duties listed below can be found directly in the book "Customs of Service" by August V. Kautz. The article numbers from Kautz's book at the end of each section if it is a direct quote. It is recommended to any serious NCO to purchase this book and study it well.
1.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION & RULES REGARDING NCOs
A. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are entitled to implicit obedience from the soldiers, and they should be obeyed and respected by the men; and when a NCO fails in obtaining this regard and obedience from the men, he fails in his most essential qualification (309).
B. The confidence of the soldiers in the integrity of a NCO 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. A NCO who cannot control himself will find difficulty in controlling those whom he is placed (310).
C. Confidence and energy are the progressive traits of the NCO who would be successful. Let him first feel he is right, and acting in obedience to orders and instructions, and then do his duty with decision and firmness; and success will be more certain, and failure much less discreditable (311).
D. NOTEBOOK: The NCO will provide himself with pencil and notebook in which to enter the names of men forming the details. Orders and instructions given to him verbally should at once be reduced to writing, and not trusted to memory.
E. SMOKING: The smoking of modern cigarettes is expressly forbidden in any company formation.
F. PARROTING COMMANDS: This is a terrible reenactorism that has its roots way back to the 1960's, which is likely why it is so hard to correct among NCO's, especially corporals. NCOs should never parrot a command in formation. If the battalion commander can be heard, then no one (not even officers) parrot the command, if he cannot be heard, then the wing commanders parrot it, if they cannot be heard, then the company commander parrots it, and he should be easily heard among the company.
2.0 THE CORPORAL
The corporal should be able to TEACH school of the soldier and have a good understanding of School of the Skirmisher. He is the closest NCO to the private in the ranks and his first and primary concern is the welfare of the men in his care! As for other duties:
A. The appointment of a corporal is the first step to promotion in the Army, and may lead to the highest distinction in the military service. The corporal is usually selected from the most intelligent privates, who have been longest in the service, and who are noted for their military appearance and attention to duty (313).
B. ATTENDANCE: To be a corporal in this company, 100% attendance to all events is required. As there is 100% attendance on the part of the students/privates, the corporals need to be in attendance as well as they are the NCOs who have the most direct contact with the men.
C. DUTIES: The duties of a corporal are simple and depend for their successful performance mainly upon his capacity to control and direct soldiers in the performance of their duty. They frequently success to the responsibilities of sergeant in his absence and should, therefore, be familiar with his duties. The corporals in the Company need to have as much direct contact with the men as possible. While the sergeants may share a mess of their own together, and even share quarters or camp area together, the corporal needs to camp and eat with the men in his section.
D. NOTEBOOK: The corporal must always have a sharp pencil and notebook on his person with the names of the men in his section who are his responsibility. He must also have this notebook on hand in order to keep track of fatigue and guard details, as well as schedules and orders for the day.
E. APPEARANCE: Corporals should be living examples for the soldiers in the neatness and cleanliness of their clothing, arms, and accoutrements. They should be the first to fall into ranks at roll calls, and should have their tents or bunks, wherever their quarters, always systematically in order (323).
F. DRILL: They should be adapt and familiar with Casey's "School of the Soldier" and capable of instructing the men in the ranks both the "School of the Soldier" and the elementary principles of tactics. He should also be familiar with Drill of the Skirmisher. The section corporal will be in charge of assuring that his section can perform the School of the Soldier drill and will drill his section at assigned times.
G. COOKING: In the field, when it is difficult to cook for the entire company, it is divided into "messes" and the NCOs placed in charge of the different messes. They attend to the drawing of provisions for their mess, and are held responsible for the conduct of the messmates in keeping of their tents and the care of the camp and garrison equipage in their charge. In the case of corporals, they should always eat with the men in their care, whether it is a squad or section, and ensure that all the men in his care eat and are properly fed.
H. PASSES: Corporals must insist that their men tell them where they are going and approximately how long they will be gone. No one is allowed out of camp without the permission of the 1st Sergeant, or the senior Sergeant on duty. The section corporal will take the names of his men requesting permission to leave camp to the Sergeant on duty and obtain permission for the men to leave camp. He will then inform his platoon sergeant of the men that are leaving camp and when they will be back. This will allow the corporal to keep track of the men in his charge and to remind them of up-coming duties and details to be preformed and when they need to be back.
I. INFORMATION: Keep your men informed. Know what is happening and going to happen. Call your men together and explain delays and changes as soon as possible. You should be the source of much of their knowledge.
J. HEALTH: Know the symptoms of heat and cold injuries. Check the men's health. Ensure that they are eating and drinking sufficient water to ward off heat injuries in hot weather. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that every man in your section drinks a whole canteen of water each morning, and that they have a full canteen at formation. In case of cold weather, make sure that the men have protection from the cold.
K. CONDUCT: Correcting bad conduct begins with the section corporal. Being loud after taps, profane language around women and children, abuse (other than the good-natured kind) in word and deed must be stopped.
L. WEAPONS: The section corporal is responsible in ensuring that every man in his section clean their weapons immediately following battle, and that they take proper care of their weapons in the field. If a weapon in your section needs further maintenance, the section corporal is to take charge of the weapon and either make the repairs himself or find someone who can make the repairs. Ensure that there is plenty of hot water and cleaning materials to clean mess gear and rifles and see that the men use them. No man in your section should be allowed out of camp following a battle or firing demonstration without cleaning their musket first! It is your responsibility to inspect each man in your section's weapon before allowing them to leave camp or relax.
M. OBEDIENCE: When a soldier neglects his duty towards a corporal, the corporal should at once report the fact to the first sergeant, whose duty it is either to decide in the matter, or to report it to his company commander. 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. They should seek to be just towards the men, treat all alike, and when a hardship falls upon an individual he should have no grounds for thinking he has been especially selected.
N. CAMPING: Each corporal MUST camp with the men in his care. This will help build a bond between him and his men, and help him ensure that his men are in good health and spirits.
3.0 SERGEANTS
As the discipline and efficiency of a company materially depend on the conduct and character of its sergeants, they should be selected with care. and properly instructed in all the duties appertaining to their rank.
All sergeants should be able to TEACH School of the Soldier and Drill for Skirmisher, and have a good working knowledge of School of the Company. They should able and be prepared to take over as 1st Sergeant in case of his absence or incapacity. As to other duties:
A. It is difficult to draw the line between the duties of the corporal and those of the sergeant. There is really no great difference in their duties. Sergeants generally have larger details under charge, and have corporals under their direction to assist them. They are usually entrusted with more responsible duties, and they are supposed to have greater experience, and to approach nearer the commissioned officer in knowledge of all military matters. Sergeants generally have a more general supervision of the men, whilst the corporals have more of the detail to attend to (365-366).
B. FILE-CLOSER: The most important duty of a sergeant is that of a file-closer. Posted in the rear of the company when paraded, it is his duty to see that the men pay attention to their duty, preserve order, march properly, and keep closed. In time of battle, it is his duty to keep the men in ranks, not allow them to fall out on any pretext, and to prevent them from misbehaving before the enemy. He is even required to shoot men down when they attempt to run away in times of danger (368-369).
C. OTHER DUTIES: He must see that the men fill their canteens with water and not whiskey, before the march commences, and that they do not eat up their rations at improper hours on the march (372).
D. ASSIGNMENT OF SERGEANTS: The following are the section of men that each of the sergeants are responsible for:
· SERGEANT = NCO in charge of the entire company and its compliment of NCOs. He is the "top soldier" of the company and answers to the commanding officer of the company. And in the absence of a 2nd Lieutenant, he is in charge of 1st Platoon as well.
· 2nd SERGEANT =NCO in charge of 4th Section, 2nd Platoon
· 3rd SERGEANT = NCO in charge of 3rd Section, 2nd Platoon
· 4th SERGEANT = NCO in charge of 2nd Section, 1st Platoon
· 5th SERGEANT = NCO in charge of 1st Section, 1st Platoon
The 1st Lieutenant is in command of 2nd Platoon. The 2nd Lieutenant would be in command of 1st Platoon. The captain is in command of the entire company.
4.0 THE FIRST SERGEANT
The First Sergeant MUST be able to understand thoroughly and be able to TEACH School of the Soldier, Skirmisher, and Company and be able to command the company in the absence of an officer. His FIRST duty is to the welfare of the men in the company and to ensure that all the NCOs are kept informed of daily duties required of them.
The First Sergeant is in charge of the company, and answers only to the company commander. In reality it is his company more than anyone else's. A good company commander will let the First Sergeant run the company in its daily routine and details. But only if the First Sergeant is capable of performing these tasks. If he cannot, then he is not doing his job as top soldier of the company.
As to other duties:
A. The duties of first sergeant are peculiar to his position, and require capacity and knowledge superior to those of the other sergeants. Whilst he does not rank as high as some others, nor receive as much pay, his position is one of the most responsibility and most honorable that non-commissioned officers can occupy (419).
B. He has immediate supervision of the company. He gets his orders from the Captain or officer commanding the company, and sees that they are performed in the company. He is, in fact, the foreman; the men are the artisans. He lays out and superintends the details of the work which the captain has been directed to be executed (421).
C. The first sergeant is in charge of training and drilling the company in the School of the Soldier and Company. He oversees and supervises the company drill, and ensures that the covering sergeants and section corporals properly drill the men in their care.
D. He keeps rosters, and makes all the details; he superintends the company clerk, and assists him in making out the required papers (424).
E. At roll-calls, the first sergeant take his place six or eight paces, according as the company is small or large, in front of, and opposite the center of his company, facing towards it. If the company is forming without arms, the men fall in and take the position of Parade Rest, and the first sergeant takes the same position (427).
F. When the first sergeant commands, "Attention!" the company, if at Parade Rest, takes the position of the soldier, and if with arms, the sergeant adds "Support, ARMS!" The roll call is then called commencing with the sergeants, in the order of rank, until all are called; then "corporals", then "musicians". And finally "privates". The private's names should be called in alphabetical order of last names. As each name is called, they answer, "Here, first sergeant!" and if with arms at a support they come to a "shoulder" and finally to "order arms" immediately on answering to their names. If the men fall in for roll call without arms, they should come to attention and once there name is called, the answer "Here, first sergeant!" and go immediately to parade rest.
G. After the roll has been called, the first sergeant turns to the officer superintending the roll call, and reports the absentees by name. If none are absent without proper authority, he reports "All present and accounted for". If the officer should then take command of the company, the first sergeant takes his post on the right of the company, and acts as right guide (430).
H. The first sergeant makes out the morning report and signs it, and then submits it to the commanding officer of the company for his signature, after which it is handed in to the regimental or post commander (431).
I. The first sergeant should be quartered with the men, and, when possible has a separate room or tent. He has supervision over all the company property (433).
J. He sees that all the other non-commissioned officers do their duty; he holds the chiefs of squads responsible for the condition of their respective squads, and reports to the captain when anyone neglects their duty in any respect (435).
K. He is usually empowered by the captain to confine soldiers and arrest non-commissioned officers for offenses. In these cases he always reports the confinement or arrest to be by order of the captain or company commander. He should, however, report the facts in the case to the captain or company commander at once in order that he is prepared to sustain him in the act, or correct it if he does not approve of his action (436).
L. He makes all the details from the company, and sees that a record is kept on the roster. He parades the details, inspects them, and see that they are properly equipped for the duty they are to perform, and then turns them over to a non-commissioned officer to be marched to their posts, or marches them there himself (376).
5.0 RECOMMENDED & REQUIRED READING
The following list of books will help the soldier with his impression. The Echo's of Battle and Echo's of Glory series are both great in that regards. First though, required reading:
A - REQUIRED READING
Casey's Infantry Tactics Vol. I-III by Silas Casey
This is the manual of arms that the Company uses and so it is incumbent on every NCO in this unit that they are very familiar with Vol. I that deals with School of the Soldier and School of the Company. The NCO needs to be able to teach School of the Soldier and be very familiar with School of the Company. This book can be purchased in the original hardback-handbook reprint from sutlers at a cost of approximately $50.00.
B - RECOMMENDED READING
Customs of Service by August V. Kautz
This book in mentioned at the beginning of the guide. It is a must have for NCOs and most of the material assembled for this handbook came from that book. It is highly recommended that this book be purchased from your local sutler.
Hardtack & Coffee by John Billings
Another great read about the daily life of the common Federal Soldier. It is a wonderful book about army life and the daily routine. This book is easy to find at most good bookstores.
