Ever since I first read the NCO Creed, I thought it had a good message but was poorly written and redundant in some areas. It also is not easy to recite; the Army is obsessed with memorization and recitation so the material should be conducive to those activities. As an exercise, I re-wrote the NCO Creed as a simplified and what I believe more effective version, which I title 'The NCO Standard". This would obviously never be adopted, but I figured it would make for possible good discussion here:
Thoughts?
The NCO Standard
1. I am a professional warrior and a leader of soldiers.
2. I will conduct myself so as to bring credit to the military and my country, regardless of the situation.
3. I set the standard with my physical fitness and my weapon, as well as my assigned duties.
4. I will not use my position to obtain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
5. I will always put the welfare of my soldiers before myself.
6. I am competent; technically and tactically proficient in all that I do.
7. I accomplish all assigned missions on time and to standard.
8. I will never stop improving my self and those around me.
9. I provide outstanding leadership at all times.
10. I communicate consistently with my Soldiers and will never leave them uninformed.
11. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
12. I will make sure my soldiers are trained and prepared for war at all times.
13. I will earn the respect, confidence, and loyalty of subordinates, peers, and superiors in all that I do.
14. I will take appropriate action in the absence of orders.
15.I will not compromise the Army Values.
Thoughts?