What is a non-commissioned officer?

Answer 1

There are several levels of rank within the military. The most commonly known are ENLISTED and OFFICER. There are sub divisions within each of those major groups.

On the ENLISTED side you begin as a "non rate". This is generally an E-1 through E-3. Basically the newbies who have some training but no experience and are generally less mature and responsible.

On promotion to E-4 you are a "Non Commissioned Officer" or NCO. You have some experience, training beyond just school, and have begun to mature. You are no longer the "boot" newbie who has to be watched like a hawk to keep them safe and train them. You are training those in the ranks below you as you were trained by your NCO's when you were a non rate. You do not associate socially with either non rates or Staff NCO's(SNCO)/Chiefs and you act as a "go between" between the SNCO's and the non rates.

In the Marines (each branch is a little different), on promotion to E-6 you are now a STAFF NCO (SNCO) and will be such for as long as you are enlisted. You have a LOT of technical experience as well as administrative experience in running a small unit which might be from 10-3000 or more people (more as your rank progresses). STAFF NCO's are (again in the Marines) promoted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps BY NAME rather than like the lower ranks who are promoted based on a promotion score. You are the one who takes the orders from "up top", develops the plans for implementing them in your area of responsibility, and then passes them down to the NCO's to carry out with the assistance of the non rates.

There are WARRANT OFFICERS and COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Warrant Officers are senior enlisteds who have shown a high degree of competence and ability above their peers and apply to become a warrant officer. They are Senior to all enlisteds and junior to all Commissioned officers (IN THEORY NOT PRACITCE).

COMMISSIONED OFFICERS are commissioned by the U.S. CONGRESS, by name. They are senior to all enlisted (again in theory) as well as all Warrants. There are several "grades" in the officer corps as well. A "Field Grade" officer is a Major (O-4) though Colonel (O-6). O-7 and above are GENERAL officers.

To compare things to the civillian community.....

Non Rate - Cleans the toilet

NCO - Teaches the Non Rate HOW to clean the toilet and makes sure he does a good job either by supervising during or after the job.

SNCO - Gets the word from the Officer Corps that the toilet needs to be cleaned for whatever reason, picks an available NCO and tells the NCO to get the toilet cleaned. He is also responsible to make sure the NCO has the resources to clean the toilet....i.e. Non Rates, tooth brush, cleaning powder, mop, bucket, etc.

WARRANT OFFICER - Takes the word from his "superior" officer and passes it down to the SNCO (pretty much a middle man)

JUNIOR OFFICER - Pissed all over the toilet

FIELD GRADE OFFICER - Noticed that someone pissed all over the toilet and told the Junior Officer to get it taken care of.

GENERAL OFFICER - Has the key to the executive toilet and can never be allowed to see someone pissed all over it.

Answer 2

A rank between E-5 and E-9, and sometimes E-4 if the person is a corporal and not a Specialist!

They are Sgts to Sgt Majors in the Army The O grades are officer grades, from 0-1 2nd Lt to 0-10, a 4 star General!

I don't believe warrant officers are true officers. More like somewhere in between!

Answer 3

From Wikipedia:

A non-commissioned officer (sometimes noncommissioned officer), also known as an NCO or noncom, is an enlisted member of an armed force who has been given authority by a commissioned officer.

The non-commissioned officer corps is the 'junior' management of the military. Typically NCOs serve as administrative personnel, as advisors to the officer corps, as trainers of both lower and higher ranking personnel, and as both supervisors of, and advocates for, the lower-ranking or more inexperienced enlisted personnel. But their most valuable function is as a link between the 'common soldier' and the (commissioned) officer, who in most armies is encouraged to not develop a too close personal relationship with his charges.

The NCO corps includes all the grades of sergeant and, in some militaries, corporals and warrant officers. The naval equivalent includes some or all grades of petty officer, although not all navies class their petty officers as NCOs.

Answer 4

A non-commissioned officer is as the title states an officer that has not received a commission. Commissions are issued by congress in the USA and Her Majesty,the Queen in the commonwealth. NCO's may be appointed by the OC in the field as the need arises. Their rank is therefore available to competent enlisted men and they are always subordinate to the Commissioned officers. A officer from rank of lieutenant to general is an officer and gentleman by order. NCO's are officers and gentlemen by birth whose sterling qualities are finally recognized. If you believe that statement I have some ocean view land for sale. It is only steps to shore. Warrant officers are specially designated men, usually NCO's who possess some talent that is required or valuable to the Service and that the Service wishes to retain who are given a warrant making them an officer. They receive a salute from all ranks subordinate to them and all benefits and perks associated with the rank the warrant gives them. The ranks are accorded from lieutenant to major. They perform many valuable tasks but are outside of the regular chain of command and are never given command positions.

Answer 5

A non-commissioned officer (NCO), is a person of the enlisted rank Corporal or higher who has experience in the military and has undergone leadership training. They provide the "street smarts" to military leadership, while the officers provide the "book smarts".

Answer 6

a non-commissioned officer in law enforcement is for example a jailor that might work for a Sheriff's office or a city jail.

Answer 7

They are the people that run the Army while the Officers take all the credit for it.

Answer 8

Sergeant E-5,SSG E-6, SFC E-7, MSGT E-8(1st SGT),
SGT MAJ E-9 US Army.

Answer 9

warrant officers are officers - not NCO's. But regular officers outrank warrant officers.

Answer 10

officer but doesnot get any comisions