Marine Noncommissioned Officer Essay
The role of the Marine Corps Noncommissioned Officer during the Korean War
Sergeant Jesus J. Rodriguez Jr.
SNCOA Sergeants Course 4-12
Staff Sergeant Stewart / Sergeant Olson
14 May 2012
THE ROLE OF THE NONCOMMISONED OFFICER DURING THE KOREAN WAR: Marine Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) have always been a crucial part in fighting America’s war. They distinguished themselves by taking on the responsibility to train their inexperienced Marines, and for accepting the challenge of command when platoon commanders were casualties. Small unit leadership played a key role in victory especially during the invasion of Inchon on September 15, 1950. Most of the NCOs involved in the landing at Inchon were combat veterans, however the majority of their subordinates lacked experience due to the manpower cutbacks and downsizing post WWII. …show more content…
Most of the engagements were at the platoon, squad, and fire team level, and were led by NCOs. For many this was a new level of responsibility. Additionally, many missions that usually were conducted by platoon commanders were led by NCOs. This challenge was made more intense as they deployed quickly in order for the invasion at Inchon to be executed at a deliberate time. Many officers spend a lot of time getting educated on special tactics and learning how to maneuver their platoons. NCOs had on-the-spot training either through their experience or from brief guidance they had just received prior. Noncommissioned Officers had no choice but to take this challenge and become the leader their Marines needed them to be. At the end of the Inchon invasion 20 Marines were killed in action, 124 wounded, and one missing in action. Marine’s lives were lost and it was difficult to try to maintain high morale and dealing with the pain after losing that many Marines, however it was the most recognized action of the Korean
Sergeant Jesus J. Rodriguez Jr.
SNCOA Sergeants Course 4-12
Staff Sergeant Stewart / Sergeant Olson
14 May 2012
THE ROLE OF THE NONCOMMISONED OFFICER DURING THE KOREAN WAR: Marine Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) have always been a crucial part in fighting America’s war. They distinguished themselves by taking on the responsibility to train their inexperienced Marines, and for accepting the challenge of command when platoon commanders were casualties. Small unit leadership played a key role in victory especially during the invasion of Inchon on September 15, 1950. Most of the NCOs involved in the landing at Inchon were combat veterans, however the majority of their subordinates lacked experience due to the manpower cutbacks and downsizing post WWII. …show more content…
Most of the engagements were at the platoon, squad, and fire team level, and were led by NCOs. For many this was a new level of responsibility. Additionally, many missions that usually were conducted by platoon commanders were led by NCOs. This challenge was made more intense as they deployed quickly in order for the invasion at Inchon to be executed at a deliberate time. Many officers spend a lot of time getting educated on special tactics and learning how to maneuver their platoons. NCOs had on-the-spot training either through their experience or from brief guidance they had just received prior. Noncommissioned Officers had no choice but to take this challenge and become the leader their Marines needed them to be. At the end of the Inchon invasion 20 Marines were killed in action, 124 wounded, and one missing in action. Marine’s lives were lost and it was difficult to try to maintain high morale and dealing with the pain after losing that many Marines, however it was the most recognized action of the Korean