Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer

United States Army

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a Noncommissioned 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 Noncommissioned 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 Noncommissioned 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, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

United States Air Force

All USAF creeds replaced by The Airman's Creed in 2007.

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of people. I am proud of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon it. I will not use my grade or position to attain profit or safety.

Competence is my watchword, I WILL STRIVE TO MAINTAIN TACTICALLY AND TECHNICALLY PROFICIENT. I WILL ALWAYS BE AWARE OF MY ROLE AS A NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICER; I WILL FULFILL MY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DISPLAY PROFESSIONALISM AT ALL TIMES. I WILL STRIVE TO KNOW MY SUBORDINATES AND USE THEIR SKILLS TO THE MAXIMUM DEGREE POSSIBLE. I WILL ALWAYS PLACE THEIR NEEDS ABOVE MY OWN AND WILL COMMUNICATE WITH MY SUPERVISORS AND MY PEOPLE AND NEVER LEAVE THEM UNINFORMED.

I WILL EXERT EVERY EFFORT AND RISK ANY RIDICULE TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH MY ASSIGNED DUTIES, I WILL NOT LOOK AT A PERSON AND SEE ANY RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, AGE, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN, FOR I WILL SEE ONLY THE PERSON; NOR WILL I EVER SHOW PREJUDICE OR BIAS. I WILL LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND WILL RESORT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. I WILL CARRY OUT ORDERS TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES AND WILL ALWAYS OBEY THE DECISIONS OF MY SUPERIORS.

I will give all officers my maximum support to ensure mission accomplishment. I will earn their respect, obey their orders, and establish a high degree of integrity with them. I will exercise initiative in the absence of orders and will make decisive and accurate decisions.

I will not compromise my integrity nor my moral courage. I will not forget that I am a professional, I am a leader — I am a Noncommissioned Officer.