JNCO expectations?

Cadets Ask the Staff
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Just recently been promoted (a few days ago) and I was wondering if there were any tips on how to be a good NCO, obviously I want to keep that balance between being friends with the cadets and being professional but is there anything else that will help the other cadets feel like they can come to me if they need help.
Any help will be much appreciated.

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Firstly, congrats!

Your unit has identified that you are already acting how they expect, so you shouldn’t feel the need to change.

The nuance I’d focus on is still being friendly and approachable, as it’s important to have strong relationships built on mutual trust and respect, but focus on being consistent and not getting drawn into anything that could undermine your position.

So make sure you’re always setting the example.

If you’re in a squad and others are talking, make sure your keep quiet and your head and eyes are front.

If cadets start messing around in another context, keep your nose clean and then make a sensible decision about whether or not a quiet word is needed to rein them in.

There are no absolutes — it’s about refining your judgement.

The one thing that is essential is that you model the correct behaviours at all times.

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I tried to write this before but the computer ate it, so trying again.

First off agree with all @OC.1324 says above.

To add, the JNCO role is considered one of the toughest in any military. You’re moving on from being one of the ‘gang’, for lack of a better gender neutral term, to leading and managing people who were your mates.

You have to strike a balance between being over friendly - at some point you will have to tell someone to do something they don’t want to. But you don’t want to be aloof, or strut around with your new rank (I’m sure you won’t).

So a couple of practical suggestions:

  • find a mentor, even if it’s informal. That could be someone who’s been a JNCO for longer, or an SNCO. They don’t have to be on your squadron. It can be useful if they’re not.
  • find a friend who’s still in the ranks, and who you trust and is willing to speak truth to power. Ask them to tell you if you start to become ‘one of those NCOs’

I genuinely wish you all the best with it, like I said Corporal is one of the hardest, but also most rewarding of all the ranks.

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