U.S. Army Soldier Support InstituteAdjutant General School

Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course

Define the Role of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)

Lesson Plan

April 2020

U.S. ARMY ADJUTANT GENERAL SCHOOLAdjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course

Module A – Man the Force

Lesson Plan for 805C – CDE42S09Define the Role of the Non-commissioned Officer (NCO)

Lesson: 2.0 HoursLesson Author: AGS, ITEDLast Review: April 2020

1. SCOPE: Define the Role of the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) is a 2.0 hour. This lesson focuses on familiarizing and introducing students to the essential role that the NCO plays in the Human Resources Capabilities and Human Capital Management.

This lesson supports multiple AG Technical desired educational outcomes, preparing students to be confident leaders who are able to effectively apply doctrinal concepts and sound judgment.

The expected outcome of this lesson is to define the NCO roles in the chain of command as well as the HR communities.

Army Learning Areas and General Learning Outcomes:

Army Learning Areas (ALA) are the baseline focal points Soldiers and Army Civilians must possess to prevail in the ambiguous environments that challenge the Army today. The four ALAs are: Army Profession and Leadership; Mission Command; Human Dimension; and Professional Competence. The Army Learning Area taxonomy provides a framework to assist in grouping the General Learning Outcomes. The four Army Learning Areas serve as the framework to catalogue the 14 General Learning Outcomes.

General Learning Outcomes (GLO) are essential outcomes resulting from training, education, and experience along a career continuum of learning. There are three primary purposes for the Army General Learning Outcomes. First, they provide trainers and educators a lens into how effective they are in conveying their support material. Second, it assists in improving instructional design and/or training support packages. Finally it places responsibility on training and education proponents to be nested with ALAs.

This lesson covers the following ALAs and associated GLOs:

Army Profession and Leadership ALA. The Army Profession is a unique vocation of experts certified in the ethical design, generation, support, and application of land power, serving under civilian authority and entrusted to defend the Constitution and the

rights and interests of the American people. Leadership is the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.

ALA: Army Profession and Leadership GLOsGLO 2: Soldiers and Army Civilians proficient in character, competence, and commitment as trusted Army

Professionals. This includes the Army Profession, Army Ethic, Army Values, and Character Development.

Human Dimension ALA. The human dimension embodies the cognitive, physical, and social components of the Army’s trusted professionals and teams.

ALA: Human Dimension GLOsGLO 7: Soldiers and Army Civilians demonstrate capacity in critical thinking. This GLO includes Applied Critical

Thinking and Groupthink Mitigation, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making.

GLO 8: Soldiers and Army Civilians demonstrate proficiency in communications skills. This includes Verbal Communication, Written Communication, Active Listening, Facilitation, Negotiations, Social Media, and Digital Communications.

Professional Competence ALA. Professional Competence is the demonstrated technical and tactical proficiency in Army and joint doctrine largely revolving around the concept of ULO codified in ADP 3-0.

2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Terminal Learning Objective: Identify the Roles of the Adjutant General Warrant Officer (Human Resources Technician)

Action: Define the Role of the Non-commissioned Officer (NCO)

Condition: In a classroom environment, given TC7-22.7 (Noncommissioned Officer Guide), a brief on the responsibilities of the NCO and awareness of Operational Environment (OE) variables and actors.

Standard: The standards are met when the students

1. Define the Chain of Command and NCO Support Structure 2. Recognize NCO Rank Structure 3. Orient the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer and

Noncommissioned Officer Creed

Learning Domain: Cognitive

Level of Learning: Comprehension

Safety Requirements: In a training environment, leaders must perform a risk assessment in accordance with ATP 5-19, Risk Management. Leaders will complete a DA Form 2977 DELIBERATE RISK ASSESMENT WORKSHEET during the planning and completion of each task and sub-task by assessing mission, enemy, terrain and weather, troops and support available-time available and civil considerations, (METT-TC).

Risk Assessment Level: Low

Environmental Statement: Environmental protection is not just the law but the right thing to do. It is a continual process and starts with deliberate planning. Always be alert to ways to protect our environment during training and missions. In doing so, you will contribute to the sustainment of our training resources while protecting people and the environment from harmful effects. Refer to ATP 3-34.5 Environmental Considerations and GTA 05-08-002 Environmental-Related Risk Assessment

3. STUDENT PREREQUISITE WORK:

a. Study Requirements:

Read: NA

Scan: TC 7-22.7, Non-Commissioned Officer Guide

b. Bring to Class: None

c. Be prepared to discuss the following:

What is the role of the Non-commissioned Officer? Why the relationship and role of the NCO vital to Human Resource Management? What are the responsibilities of the Non-commissioned Officer?

4. INSTRUCTOR ADDITIONAL READING(S) AND RESOURCES

a. Doctrinal and Administrative References (1) TC 7-22.7, The Non-commissioned Officer Guide

b. Websites(1) Army G-1(2) Human Resources Command(3) Mil Suite

5. TRAINING AIDS, REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

a. Lesson Plan. b. TC 7-22.7c. Appendix A: Power Point Presentation

6. CONDUCT OF LESSON

a. Lesson Timeline:

10 minutes Concrete Experience10 minutes Publish and Process70 minutes Generalize New Information 10 minutes Conclusion

SHOW SLIDE 1 (ROLE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL WARRANT OFFICER)

Slide 1: Role of the Adjutant General Warrant Officer

Introduction Method of Instruction: Discussion (Large Group) Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:32 Time of Instruction: 25 mins

Media: Power Point Presentation

Instructor NOTE: Adjust the Lesson Timeline as necessary to facilitate class schedule, your teaching style, and student learning.

SHOW SLIDE 2 NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER

Slide 2: Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO)

Focus: Concrete Experience

b. Concrete Experience: (10 minutes)

1. Break students down into groups of no more than four.2. Have students answer the following questions.

a. What is a Non-commissioned Officer?b. Why are they so important to our warfighting functions?c. Why is the phrase “No One Is More Professional” Then I important in the NCO

Corp?d. Allows students to discuss answers in an open forum

c. Publish and Process: (10 minutes) This phase is student-centered and instructor facilitated.

Instructor Note: The “publish” portion is a short discussion on how group members felt during their experience of generating data. This phase focuses on the group dynamics during the exercise and is NOT intended to be a discussion of the content generated. This can be kept short; once the group moves to “process,” they will likely continue to add to “publishing” type information. Do not let the group jump straight to content. When well facilitated, publishing is a good method to relate a discussion of interpersonal communication and group dynamics to the broader topic of leader competencies described in FM 6-22.

Questions the instructor may ask to assist in publishing: (Intent is to push critical thinking. Push students to defend their answers – allow students to hash out ideas).

How many are prior NCOs? Allow students to discuss their experience as an NCO

SHOW SLIDE 3 (TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE - TASK)

Slide 3: Terminal Learning Objective (Task) Focus: Review TLO.

SHOW SLIDE 4 (TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE – CONDITIONS)

Slide 4 Terminal Learning Objective –(Conditions)Focus: Review TLO.

SHOW SLIDE 5 (TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE - STANDARD)

Slide 5: Terminal Learning Objective (Standard)Focus: Review TLO.

d. Generalize New Information (GNI): (60 minutes):

SHOW SLIDE 6 (CHAIN OF COMMAND AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER SUPPORT CHANNEL

Slide 6 Chain of Command and Non-Commissioned Officer Support ChannelFocus: Discuss Chain of Command/NCO Support Structure Support

Learning Step / Activity 1. Identify Chain of Command and NCO Support Structure Method of Instruction: Discussion (Large Group) Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:36 Time of Instruction: 25 mins Media: Power Point Presentation

a. The chain of command assists commanders at all levels to achieve their primary function of accomplishing the unit’s assigned mission while caring for personnel and property in their charge. A simple and direct chain of command facilitates the transmittal of orders from the highest to the lowest levels in a minimum of time and with the least chance of misinterpretation. The command channel extends upward in the same manner for matters requiring official communication from subordinate to senior. b. Commanders are responsible for everything their command does or fails to do. However, commanders subdivide responsibility and authority and assign portions of both to various subordinate commanders and staff members. In this way, a proper degree of responsibility becomes inherent in each command echelon. Commanders delegate sufficient authority to Soldiers in the chain of command to accomplish their assigned duties, and commanders must hold these Soldiers responsible for their actions. Commanders who assign responsibility and authority to their subordinates still retain the overall responsibility for the actions of their commands.

c. Proper use of the chain of command is vital to the overall effectiveness of the Army. Commanders and leaders must acquaint all their Soldiers with its existence and proper function. Effective communication between senior and subordinate is critical to mission success. Soldiers properly utilizing the chain of command is crucial to the proper functioning of all units. Therefore, Soldiers must use the chain of command when communicating issues and problems to their leaders and commanders.

d. The connection between the chain of command and the NCO support channel is the senior NCO. Commanders issue orders through the chain of command, but senior NCOs must know and understand the orders to issue effective instructions through the NCO support channel. Although the First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major are NOT part of the formal chain of command, leaders should consult them on all enlisted Soldier matters and individual training.

SHOW SLIDE 7 (THE NCO SUPPORT CHANNEL)

Slide 7 The NCO Support Channel Focus: NCO Support Channel

e. The NCO support channel assists the chain of command in accomplishing the following:

1. Transmitting, instilling and ensuring of the Army ethics.2. Planning and conducting day-to-day operations.3. Training Soldiers and developing training.4. Supervising PRT and ensuring compliance with height and weight and

appearance standards in AR 600-9, The Army Body Composition Program, and AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia.

5. Teaching Army history, military customs, courtesies, and traditions.6. Caring for Soldiers and families on and off duty.7. Teaching the unit’s mission.8. Accounting for/maintaining individual arms and equipment.9. NCO professional development program.10. Achieving and maintaining Army values.11. Advising the commander on rewards and punishment for enlisted Soldiers.

SHOW SLIDE 8 (CHECK ON LEARNING)

Slide 8: Check on LearningFocus: Check on Learning.

Q: 1SG and CSM are a formal part of the chain of command. True or FalseA: FalseQ: The ________between the chain of command and the NCO support channel is the senior NCO.A: connection

SHOW SLIDE 9 (NCO RANK STRUCTURE)

Slide 9: NCO Rank Structure Focus: Check on Learning.

Learning Step / Activity 2. Recognize NCO Rank Structure Method of Instruction: Discussion (Large Group) Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:36 Time of Instruction: 20 mins Media: Power Point Presentation

a. The NCO rank compose of CPL thru SGM. A non-commissioned officer is a military officer who has not earned a commission. b. Non-commissioned officers usually obtain their position of authority by promotion through the enlisted ranks.c. In general terms, Army enlisted ranks are broken down into three groups:

1. Junior Enlisted (E-1 through E-4)

2. NCOs (E-4 through E-6)

3. Senior NCOs (E-7 through E-9)d. Noncommissioned Officers (E-4 TO E-6).

1. Corporal (E-4). The rank of corporal has always been placed at the base of the NCO ranks. For the most part, corporals serve as the smallest unit leaders in the Army: principally, leaders of teams. Like the grade of sergeant, corporals are responsible for individual training, personal appearance, and discipline of their Soldiers.2. Sergeant (E-5). Sergeants (SGT) operate in an environment where the sparks fly - where the axe meets the stone. Although not the lowest level of rank where leadership is exercised, this level is the first at which enlisted Soldiers are referred to as sergeant, and of all the grades of the NCO, this one, very possibly, has the greatest impact on the lower ranking Soldiers. Privates, who are the basic manpower strength and grade of the Army, generally have sergeants as their first NCO leader. It is the grade sergeant that the privates will look to for example.3. Staff Sergeant (E-6). The Staff Sergeant rank closely parallels that of the sergeant in duties and responsibilities. In fact, the basic duties and responsibility of all the NCO ranks never change, but there are significant differences between this step in the NCO structure and the preceding one. The major difference between the staff sergeant and the sergeant is not, as often mistakenly believed, authority, but rather sphere of influence. The staff sergeant is in daily contact with large numbers of Soldiers and generally has more equipment and other property to maintain.

e. Senior Noncommissioned Officers (E-7 – E-9).1. Sergeant First Class (Platoon Sergeant) (E-7). The SFC is the first level at which the term senior NCO properly applies. The platoon sergeant or sergeant first class generally has 15 to 18 years or more of military experience and is rightfully expected to bring that experience to bear in quick, accurate decisions that are in the best interest of the mission and the soldier. Depending on experience and billet assignments, the SFC's role may be that of platoon sergeant or NCOIC (NCO in Charge) of the section.

2. Master Sergeant and First Sergeant (E-8). The Master Sergeant is the principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher. Not charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a First Sergeant, but expected to dispatch leadership and other duties with the same professionalism. The First Sergeant's Roles and Responsibilities- When you are talking about the first sergeant you are talking about the life-blood of the Army. When 1SGs are exceptional, their units are exceptional, regardless of any other single personality involved. Perhaps their rank insignia should be the keystone rather than the traditional one depicted here. It is the first sergeant at whom almost all unit operations merge. The first sergeant holds formations, instructs platoon sergeants, advises the Commander, and assists in training of all enlisted members.3. Sergeant Major (E-9). The staff Sergeant Major's Roles and responsibilities - The SGM is the key enlisted member of staff elements at levels higher than battalion. The sergeant major's experience and ability are equal to that of the command sergeant major, but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited to those directly under his charge. 4. Command Sergeant Major (E-9). The Command Sergeant Major's Roles and Responsibilities - Enlisted Soldiers who attain the distinction of being selected by the Department of the Army for participation in the Command Sergeants Major program are the epitome of success in their chosen field, in this profession of arms. There is no higher grade of rank, except Sergeant Major of the Army, for enlisted Soldiers and there is no greater honor.5. The Sergeant Major of the Army (E-9). The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) is a rank held by only one enlisted Soldier at a time. The holder of this rank is the most senior enlisted member in the Army. The SMA's primary function is to address the issues of enlisted soldiers at the Army's highest levels. The SMA is the senior enlisted advisor to the Army Chief of Staff and is selected based on his (or her) outstanding leadership, extensive experience, and ability to communicate both up and down the Army chain of command. The SMA is given the highest level of honor and receives the same protocol respect as a General Officer. Each SMA's duties are determined by the current Chief of Staff. However, as a rule the SMA serves as the Army hierarchy's eyes and ears keeping the Chief of Staff abreast on virtually any subject that affects enlisted Soldiers and their families.

f. There’s only one Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA). The SMA oversees all Noncommissioned Officers. SMA serves as advisor and consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four star General).

SHOW SLIDE 8 (CHECK ON LEARNING)

Slide 10: Check on Learning

Focus: Check on Learning.

Q: Which NCO serves as the life blood and disciplinary of a company? a. CPL b. SSG c. 1SG d. SFCA: C (1SG)

Q: Which NCO has principle responsibility for developing, maintaining, and utilizing the full range of the Soldier? a. CPL b. SSG c. SFC d. SGMA: B (SSG)

SHOW SLIDE 11 (CHARGE TO THE NEWLY PROMOTED NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER)

Slide 11: Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer

Focus Have students read and understand the NCO Charge

Learning Step / Activity 3. Orient to Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Creed Method of Instruction: Discussion (Large Group) Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:36 Time of Instruction: 25 mins Media: Power Point Presentation

a. Discuss the importance of the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer and how this will collaborate with expectation and future assignments and positions.

b. The NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks of a professional noncommissioned officer corps and emphasizes and builds on the pride we all share as members of such an elite corps.

SHOW SLIDE 12 NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER’S CREED Slide 12: Noncommissioned Officer’s Creed Focus Understand and become familiar with the NCO Creed

c. The NCO Creed is the essence of our Corps. The Creed spells out what all great

NCOs will do, must do, to ensure our Army of warrior fighters are prepared and that

they will trust the actions, direction, and leadership of their NCOs. Get back to basics.

Help heal the Corps and breathe life back into the leadership all Soldiers are entitled.

Take your place amongst your peers and hold each other accountable to the BE,

KNOW and DO of leadership. Regain the trust of your superiors, so you can get back to

doing the business of NCOs without being micro-managed because your work

demonstrates otherwise.

d. NCOs must not look for their own self-interest; even in the midst of transitioning, they

must teach, coach, and mentor enlisted Soldiers so that they will become great leaders.

They are our successors and it is imperative that we hand them a Corps that is vital,

thriving, and at its best. This will enable them to continue to defend this great Nation

and its citizens who trust us with their safety and warfare.

e. The Creed of The Non-commissioned Officer is the basis of ethical conduct and

Authority that the NCO uses to help manage the force.

Note: Instructor/Facilitator read out loud:According to former Sergeant Major of the Army Jack L. Tilley, “Noncommissioned

officers are the backbone of the Army and the reason our Army is the best trained, most

professional, and most respected in the world”.

SHOW SLIDE 13: (CHECK ON LEARNING)

Slide 13: Check on Learning Focus

Q: The NCO Creed is the _______ of our CorpsA: essence

Q: NCOs must ___, ____, and ___ of leadershipA: Be, Know, and Do

SHOW SLIDE 14 CONCLUSION

Slide 20: Conclusion Focus

Learning Step / Activity 10. Conclusion Method of Instruction: Discussion (Large Group) Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:32

Time of Instruction: 10 mins Media: Power Point Presentation

SHOW SLIDE 15 (TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE - TASK)

Slide 15: Terminal Learning Objective (Task)Focus: Review TLO.

SHOW SLIDE 16 (TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE - CONDITION)

Slide 16: Terminal Learning Objective (Condition)Focus: Review TLO.

SHOW SLIDE 17 (TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE - STANDARDS)

Slide 17 Terminal Learning Objective –(Standards)

Review / Summarize Lesson NOTE: Emphasize what the TLO was for this block of instruction.

Determine if the students have learned the material presented by: Reemphasize the importance of the warrant officer roles, and how it can affect the

credibility of an AG professional, and cause confusion with what the task or mission

intent truly is supposed to be.