The Role of the NCO in Transformation.

The US Army is in a period of transformation that will continue for many years. Decisions have yet to be made and organizations and operations will have to evolve toward our Objective Force in 2010.

But the Army cannot transform without the guidance, support and leadership of its NCO Corps. Throughout this period, NCOs must maintain fundamental soldiering at the forefront of everything we do. And that means we must focus on the basics, maintain Army values and facilitate the transformation.

Focus on the Basics. The best way to lead in a period of fast-paced change is to focus on the basics. NCOs don't need to worry about the color of the beret or type of Class A uniform we're all going to wear next year--we need to spend more time conducting in-ranks inspections and pay-day formations to teach soldiers how to properly wear the uniform they have. We set the standards.

NCOs need to spend more time with squad and platoon leaders, teaching them the importance of counseling and communicating with their soldiers and less time on the Internet. (And communicating means more than just talking to them; it's also listening to soldier concerns and doing something to solve their problems.) In other words, we need to train and mentor.

NCOs need to spend more time in the barracks waking up young soldiers and ensuring their living areas are up to standard--not assuming they're responsible adults who will accomplish these tasks. We need to supervise and develop soldiers, so they, too, may be NCOs one day.

NCOs need to spend more time enforcing physical training standards and weight control and developing challenging physical training programs. Enforcing physical standards in garrison will give soldiers the physical resources to draw on when they need them the most--in combat. We take care of soldiers.

NCOs are chartered to remain the Army's Backbone and promote readiness during the transformation. I've given just a few examples of setting standards, training and mentoring, supervising and taking care of soldiers--the basics NCOs provide for readiness today and for the Objective Force tomorrow.

Pass on Army Values. Whether it's today's Army or the transformed Army, our common values will sustain us. NCOs are the first line of contact for young soldiers who must learn, embrace and live by the Army's values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.

We model Army values so we can credibly train and lead soldiers and set and enforce standards. Living Army values empowers NCOs to lead soldiers.

Go with Change. Change is going to happen. Change presents opportunities for the future. During the past 28 years of my Army career, I have seen a lot of changes.

I used the PRC 77 and TA 312 radios, but today we have the single-channel ground and airborne radio system (SINCGARS). I remember riding around in the small Jeeps, and now we have high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs).

When I came into the Army, the first school in the NCO professional development process was the primary leader course (PLC), not the primary leadership development course (PLDC) we have now, and the basic NCO course (BNCOC) didn't exist. I remember when units had to start moving from typewriters to computers. Now we couldn't conduct battery business without them.

Without exception, these are examples of changes I experienced that improved the Army, and all met with resistance from some of the force. These improvements were developed with NCO input, field tested with NCOs and soldiers in units and implemented by NCOs and other leaders. To be successful, the transformation needs the same NCO support.

The United States Army is in the midst of some of the most dramatic changes in its history. Never before has the Army undergone such a profound transition and yet remained trained and ready. It is our duty as NCOs to ensure the welfare of soldiers as our priority. And to do that, we must stick to the fundamentals of soldiering.

During transformation, the Army's greatest challenge will be dealing with the human dimension. That's NCO business.

Command Sergeant Major Anthony J. Williams has been the CSM of the Field Artillery and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, since June 1998. He also served as the CSM of the Ill Armored Corps Artillery, also at Fort Sill, and the CSM of the Division Artillery and CSM of the 3d Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, both in the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. In addition, Sergeant Major Williams served as CSM of the 5th Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, part of Ill Corps Artillery. In three tours at the Field Artillery Training Center, Fort Sill, he was a Drill Sergeant for three years, a Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Instructor for D Battery, Training Command Battalion, and a First Sergeant and Battalion Adjutant for the 2d Battalion, 80th Field Artillery.