Founding of the Army
This year—also the year of the Declaration of Independence—the Continental Congress established the United States Army.
What is 1775?
Nicknamed “Old Glory,” this symbol flies over every Army post.
What is the American flag?
This type of authority allows NCOs to correct uniform issues, ensure compliance with standards, and maintain good order, even for Soldiers not in their chain of command.
What is general military authority?
This regulation is the authoritative source for NCO duties, responsibilities, and expectations.
What is AR 600-20 (Army Command Policy)?
This principle of senior leadership requires NCOs to advise commanders on the impact of decisions on enlisted morale, training, and readiness—without overstepping into command decision-making.
What is informed initiative within the commander’s intent?
He was appointed the first Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.
Who is George Washington?
This elite tomb guard unit oversees the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington.
This elite tomb guard unit oversees the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington.
This form of authority comes directly from a Soldier’s job description, rank, or position and is essential for mission accomplishment.
What is command authority or delegated authority?
According to Army custom, junior Soldiers should never walk on this side of an NCO or officer.
What is the right side (position of honor)?
When mixed-rank groups pass through a door, this courtesy requires the senior-most individual to pass first unless safety dictates otherwise.
What is the courtesy of precedence?
Before the United States Army existed, these locally recruited citizen-soldiers made up the bulk of colonial military forces.
What are militias?
Founded in 1802, this institution is the Army’s premier academy for future officers.
What is the U.S. Military Academy at West Point?
This principle states that NCOs enforce standards and discipline not through fear, but through example, knowledge, and consistent application of rules.
What is leadership by example?
NCOs maintain this element of professionalism when they correct Soldiers privately, not publicly, unless immediate safety or discipline is at risk.
What is dignity and respect?
This unwritten professional expectation requires senior NCOs to maintain professional distance and avoid relationships that could compromise impartiality or trust in leadership.
What is maintaining appropriate professional boundaries?
This European officer, famed for his training methods at Valley Forge, wrote the “Blue Book” that professionalized the U.S. Army.
Who is Baron von Steuben?
The crossed-rifles insignia identifies soldiers in this traditional combat branch.
What is the Infantry?
This NCO leadership function includes inspecting Soldiers, correcting deficiencies, and conducting follow-up to ensure standards are being met.
What is supervision?
This expectation requires NCOs to intervene if they observe a senior violating standards or mistreating Soldiers.
What is moral courage?
This historic NCO role, predating modern first sergeants, was responsible for discipline, administrative readiness, and daily control of troops.
What is the sergeant-major (original role)?
Created in 1784 after the Revolution, this small force is often considered the Army’s first regiment in the new nation
What is the First American Regiment (later the 3rd Infantry Regiment)?
This song, beginning with the words “First to fight,” is the official anthem of the U.S. Army.
What is “The Army Goes Rolling Along”?
NCOs protect the well-being of Soldiers by enforcing these nonnegotiable guidelines that cover off-duty conduct, safety, and professional relationships.
What are Army regulations and ethical standards?
This event, steeped in Army tradition, symbolizes the transition of Soldiers into the NCO Corps.
What is the NCO Induction Ceremony?
This little-known tradition requires NCOs to maintain a perpetual understanding that their authority comes not from rank alone, but from the trust of Soldiers and the commander.
What is the sacred trust of the NCO Corps?