'Baby NCOs': Never!

'Baby NCOs': Never!
Marine Corps News | By Sgt. Maj. Carlton W. Kent | January 29, 2008

HEADQUARTERS MARINE CORPS - "I am an NCO dedicated to training new Marines and influencing the old. I am forever conscious of each Marine under my charge, and by example will inspire him to the highest standards possible. I will strive to be patient, understanding, just, and firm. I will commend the deserving and encourage the wayward.

I will never forget that I am responsible to my Commanding Officer for the morale, discipline, and efficiency of my men. Their performance will reflect an image of me."

(Noncommissioned Officers Creed, Headquarters Marine Corps Promotions Branch)

I can remember the day I got promoted to NCO like it was yesterday. Pinning on that extra stripe didn't just mean extra pay or privileges, it meant I'd achieved a rank that is not taken lightly and is highly respected by all throughout the Marine Corps. That promotion will always be one of the proudest moments in my career.

I have no doubt that getting promoted to NCO is as momentous an occasion for junior Marines nowadays as it was for me back when I got promoted. It was for that reason alone that I felt just as insulted as all of the NCOs around the Corps when I read the "Baby NCOs" story in the Marine Corps Times a couple months ago.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,160969,00.html