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Stare Master
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Commentary: NCOs key to winning war, peace
By Roger W. Putnam
BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept. 8, 2004) -- History has taught us many lessons on what to do after a war is won.
Germany and Japan are just two examples of defeated countries that rose from the ashes of defeat to become leaders in the international community with the direct assistance of the United States. In no small respect, the U .S. military’s noncommissioned officers and their troops became the ambassadors of goodwill in these countries, and played a major role in winning the hearts and minds of the people.
Earning the trust of the people is essential if any reconstructive effort or peacekeeping mission is going to be successful.
Today’s problems in Afghanistan and Iraq are similar. The NCOs and their troops are the ones seen everyday on the streets of the cities and towns. It is their behavior that shapes the views of the local population and reflects what America is all about.
One of the hardest tasks for the NCO is to not blame all the people for the acts of a few. We have trained our Soldiers to be war fighters, and justifiably so, but America’s Soldiers are still filled with compassion for children and the downtrodden.
It is difficult for the NCOs to see their Soldiers attacked by insurgents and not become cynical toward the populace. But, thank God, our NCOs have proved they have the values and ability to put those feelings aside and perform the acts of kindness we see them doing the world over, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan. Cynicism only undermines our ability to build a rapport with the population.
The NCO is instrumental in ensuring the populace understands America’s values and that it is a truly compassionate country. In Vietnam, our Soldiers built orphanages and schools, treated the sick, and spent untold hours assisting the Vietnamese, even while being attacked daily by insurgents.
U.S. Soldiers have performed similar deeds in every conflict our country has been involved in, and the NCO has always been at the forefront of these activities. Without the noncommissioned officer, many of these endeavors would not have succeeded, or even existed. The NCO has to be the positive influence in both peace and war. NCOs make things happen.
The NCO must always remember that planning is done at a higher level, but implementation of orders is an NCO responsibility. The NCO is responsible for teaching and training his or her subordinates, not only in war fighting techniques, but also how to approach the populace, how to understand and appreciate their culture, and how to treat them as they would want to be treated.
Trying to understand the rules they live by is as foreign to our culture as ours is to theirs. A smile to civilians from one of our troops is a language that anyone can understand, and lays a foundation that reconstruction can build on.
NCOs and their troops are crucial to showing the population that America liberates, not conquers; that we truly want to help their people gain a better life. It is imperative that NCOs realize that they are the key to winning not only wars, but also the peace.
(Editor’s note: Roger W. Putnam is a retired command sergeant major who participated in the occupation of Japan, the Korean War, two tours in Vietnam, and who also served as the VII Corps CSM in the early 1980s.)
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Paratrooper
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I concur most induoubitely. RJ 
RJ 
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Regular Joe
 
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AMEN!!
Abn1SG50S There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy. - George Washington
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Seasoned Vet
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Hooah!!!!!!!!!!!
sticky307
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AIRBORNE INFANTRY...BY GOD!!!
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"NO ONE is more professional than I" HH6 used to ask why I didn't want to become an Officer. I would say that being an NCO is the only way to soldier. For me, it was always more "hands-on." No offense intended to any "Alphas" out there. Airborne!!!
And the Lord spake forth unto the heavens and said, "LET THERE BE AIRBORNE."
The earth did tremble and quake and the waters did rise up and the clouds did part and there came forth a multitude of parachutes that filled the sky.
God looked down and saw this was good. And they were good;
They were AIRBORNE! 
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Strac Trooper
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A hearty Toast To The NCO's
 Drive On
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Seasoned Vet
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Living by Chance, Loving by Choice, Leading by Profession...NCOs make it happen!
Stand in the door!
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Detachment Sergeant
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"I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders." It's what NCO's do; leaders of Soldiers and Soldiers of action. One of the reasons that the U.S. Army is the best on the planet - NCO's possess and exercise initiative.
 ALWAYS OUT FRONT
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