Overview and Introduction

NCO ACADEMY:SQUAD LEADER and SQUAD CORPORAL

Training Objective• Task: Prepare rising sophomores to assume the

ranks of Squad Leader and Squad Corporal• Condition: Given a suitable classroom, outdoor

practical exercise area, The Citadel Training Manual, and the 2018 Citadel NCO Guide.

• Standards: Rising Squad Corporals and Squad Sergeants will be instructed on the Citadel NCO Guide and will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of the duties, responsibilities, and daily tasks associated with the NCO ranks of SQD CPL and SQD SGT

Academy Schedule

• Day 1: Introduction to the academy What is a NCO, duties and responsibilities, setting expectations, counseling, NCO vs Officer Roles.

• Day 2: Specified and implied tasks, information flow, Guard Duty

• Day 3,4,5 : Inspections, How to conduct PT, formations

No one is more professional than I. I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of noncommissioned officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the military service and my country regardless of the situation. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind—accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a noncommissioned officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, noncommissioned officers, leaders!

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NCO Creed

What are the most important parts of the creed?

• Professionalism• Welfare of subordinates• Mission accomplishment• Communication• Competence• Servant leadership• Service to others

Mission of the Squad Leader• The mission of the squad leader is to

be holistically responsible for the members of his or her squad and to assist the platoon leader create and sustain an organizational climate based on The Citadel core values that optimizes the ability of each cadet to individually succeed in all four pillars.

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Mission of the Squad Leader• Specific responsibilities include:

• Conduct squad formations• Senior squad leader (first squad leader,

unless otherwise designated) assumes platoon sergeant duties in the absence of the platoon sergeant

• Responsible for the accountability of cadets in the squad

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Mission of the Squad Leader• Specific responsibilities (cont):

• Assess individual and small team readiness within the squad and make recommendations to the platoon sergeant and platoon leader concerning training needs.

• Plan, prepare, execute and assess individual and small team training

• Receive and act on guidance from the platoon sergeant and platoon leader and keep him or her informed about matters involving traditional NCO Business

• Directly supervise squad corporal

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Mission of the Squad Corporal• The squad corporal is responsible for

assisting the squad leader and his or her specific responsibilities will be assigned by the squad leader. • The squad corporal interacts with

freshmen only under the direct supervision of the squad leader

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NCO/Officer Roles

• Officers focus on planning/ NCOs focus more on execution

• Officers prepare for future operations/NCOs conduct the units daily business

• Officers are intimately aware of the unit/NCOs are intimately aware of the individuals in it

Officer /NCO Roles • Officers give guidance to NCOs/NCOs

give advice to Officers• Officers, specifically commanders, have

authority to issue specified levels of punishment, and rewards.

• NCOs have authority to issue corrective training

• Officers rely more on indirect leadership/ NCOs rely more on direct leadership

Officer /NCO Roles

• Officers require more conceptual skills/NCOs require more technical skills

• Officers are responsible for collective training/ NCOs are responsible for individual and small team training

• Officers assess training and readiness/NCOs conduct the training and ensure the readiness

Officer/ NCO Roles

• Officers establish standards/ NCOs enforce standards

Setting expectations• Counseling is the clearest way to let

your cadets and subordinate leaders know what is expected of them.

• Initial counseling can be done in different ways: verbally, in writing on the CC form or DA4856, or even memorandum (in writing is the preferred method)

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How to Counsel• Inform the cadet of when and where

the counseling will take place• If initial counseling, have them bring

with them their expectations and have them develop some goals first

• Make sure you allow time for feedback - communication is key

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How to Counsel tips• Try to end the session on a positive note• Make sure the cadet understands and

has agreed to the plan of action • Counseling is done to provide feedback

both for good and poor performance.• Taking the time to counsel shows you

care about their development

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Keys to Success

• Time Management• Tasking Management• Communication• Interpersonal Skills• Enforcing Discipline• Accountability• Ownership

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A SQUAD SERGEANT/SQUAD CORPORAL

1. TAKING CARE OF YOUR PEOPLE…ALL OF THEMa. Successful subordinates are 3 things: well trained, well equipped,

and well restedb. You can’t just be concerned with Knobs, they’re the easy part of

your jobc. Life does not only exist at formations…battlefield circulation is a

must

2. DEMAND COMPETENCE, CONFIDENCE, AND DISCIPLINEa. How good can your Squad be, when you are the weak link in the

chain?b. Don’t just be a pretty face, know your job and show off

occasionallyc. Be proud of your people and tell them…its ok to say you're sorry,

but you have to mean it (humility)d. Discipline is more than being a flash in the pan

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3.IF YOU WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE EASY TO LEAD, THEN BE EASY TO FOLLOWa.No one likes a boring boss; be available, be

reliable, be inspiringb. If you are doing this the right way, you should be

the guy doing most of the workc. If you find yourself uninterested, bored,

frustrated, or no longer caring…tag out

Personal Preparation

Questions??????