Non-commissioned officer: Difference between revisions

{{Status|Canon}}

A '''non-commissioned officer''' ('''NCO'''), sometimes colloquially referred to as a '''noncom''',<ref name="tf7">''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', Chapter 7</ref> is a military [[officer]] that lacks a formal [[commission]]. Within the [[UNSC rank structure|rank structure]] of the [[United Nations Space Command]] armed forces, non-commissioned officers are enlisted personnel that fill most intermediary leadership and administrative roles. The UNSC Armed Forces relies heavily on non-commissioned officers, and they share many responsibilities with officers.<ref name="osfm">''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'', Part 8: UNSC Organization</ref>

The responsibilities and duties of a non-commissioned officer vary by service, [[Military Occupational Specialty|occupational specialty]], and duty station.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}} An NCO typically serves as the intermediate between enlisted personnel and [[commissioned officer]]s.<ref>''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'', Chapter 10</ref> The administrative responsibilities of NCOs include managing logistics, serving as [[drill instructor]]s, enrolling subordinates into training programs, and reviewing leave requests from junior enlisted personnel.<ref name="dirt">"[[Dirt]]" – ''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', p. 112-114</ref>

Within the [[UNSC Navy]], non-commissioned officers typically serve as crew supervisors and senior NCOs may have oversight of a ship's enlisted personnel. [[Master chief petty officer]]s may even hold fleet administration responsibilities or serve as staff for [[UNSC High Command|High Command]].{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}} Within the [[Unified Ground Command]], non-commissioned officers have command of smaller units, such as [[squad]]s and [[fireteam]]s. In larger units, NCOs hold command positions over junior enlisted personnel and serve as an assistant commander, such as a [[platoon]] sergeant or [[battalion]] first sergeant, and may have administrative duties within the unit.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]'', p. 55</ref>

In order to advance to become a commissioned officer, NCOs must graduate from an [[Officer Candidate School]] and take an oath of service.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm}}<ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'', Chapter 1</ref> A senior NCO may have enough authority to politely dress down a junior officer and even flag officers may tread lightly around senior NCOs.<ref>''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'', Chapter 10</ref>

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