For those of you in the newspaper’s readership circulation in a leadership position either within government or in the local private business sector who happen to also be former military non-commissioned officers, I wanted to remind you of our creed we took when we became NCOs.
Leadership is the art of influencing others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction and motivation.
In the creed, I would ask you to insert citizens in the place of soldiers and you see that this creed applies to all leaders.
“No one is more professional than I. I am a non-commissioned officer, a leader of soldiers. As a non-commissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time-honored corps, which is known as ‘The Backbone of the Army.’ I am proud of the corps of non-commissioned officers, and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the corps, the military service and my country; regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety.
“Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind: accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a non-commissioned officer, I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers, and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers, and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
“Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, non-commissioned officers, leaders!”
As a resident of Napavine, I receive outstanding customer service, response to questions and leadership from city hall. Winlock, on the other hand, has been the subject of critical articles from The Chronicle and the Winlock Town Crier, investigations from the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office and a current lawsuit involving a member of the Toledo Police Department.
I graduated from Winlock High School, raised my three children in Winlock and deployed to Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. I am a member of the American Legion and VFW. All from a tiny town in Washington. I still have family in Winlock, and a member of Winlock City Council is a relative.
If this creed does not apply to you, please read it anyway. If you are a former or retired NCO in a leadership position within our county, please read it and take it to heart. If you are a former or retired NCO, and not living by this creed, read it again and again and a third time if necessary.
Timothy Schmidt
Napavine
