NCO stands for Non-Commissioned Officer in the Military. NCOs are soldiers promoted to responsible positions, and in western armies, they are equivalent to junior non-commissioned officers (Sergeants and Corporals). These officers are appointed by a Commissioned Officer and are responsible for supervising enlisted soldiers and helping commissioned officer corps.
A Non-Commissioned Officer is an officer in the Military who is allocated several responsibilities and authorities through a commissioned officer. Officers usually earn this position of authority by promotions through enlisted ranks. The rankings include personnel of lower ranks than any officer. The dedicated company of NCOs in the Military is called the NCO Corps. The Corps includes many ranking personnel of lover divisions like Corporal and Sergeant. In some countries, Warrant Officers are also designed to perform the duties of a Non-Commissioned Officer. Similarly, the Naval equivalents of this position include Grades of Petty Officer.
The Non-Commissioned Corps is considered the Backbone of armed services, providing themselves as the most visible leaders of the military. The position demands skills like Combat training experience as well as serving in the field along with leadership and management skills. Senior NCOs are considered the main link between commissioned officers and serving personnel; their advice and guidance are important for junior officers and, sometimes, officers of all senior ranks.
NCOs help in supervising and maintaining newly enlisted soldiers. They Provide Inspiration, Purpose, Motivation, and Discipline to the troops they are directing; they are also responsible for the individual training of those under their charge.
The following are the responsibilities of a Non-Commissioned Officer:
Preparing Soldiers for Military operations.
Enhancing the Mental and Physical well-being of soldiers.
Maintenance of standards of performance of soldiers and equipment.
Planning and Leading unit activities.
Implementation of policies ordered through higher authorities.
INDIA: In Indian Armed Forces, NCOs are promoted through lower ranks and are Subedar Major, Subedar, and Naib Subedar.
United States: In the US Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the ranks of Sergeants are termed NCOs.
Australia: In the Australian Army, Lance Corporals and Corporals are classified as junior NCOs, while ranks of Sergeants and Staff-Sergeants are senior NCOs
Canada: Formerly, it was the Queen’s Regulations, and Orders division but not the ranks of Sergeants, Pretty officers of the navy, and Corporal ranks are considered NCOs.
Brazil: In Brazil, the Corporal and Sub-Lieutenant are NCO ranks; they are commonly called Graduado.
United Kingdom: In the British Armed Forces, There are two DIvisions of NCOs. Lance Corporals, Lance Bombardiers, and Corporals of the horse are Junior NCOs, while Sergeants, Staff Sergeants, and RAF chief technicians are Senior NCOs.