What historical date marks the beginning of NCO history?

The beginning of Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) history is marked by June 14, 1775, which is significant because this date is when the Continental Army was established. This formation included the creation of the Army’s rank structure, where the roles of sergeants and corporals started to take form. These ranks represented the first official designations for NCOs in the American military context.

As the Army developed during the revolutionary period, the importance of NCOs became evident as they played a crucial role in maintaining discipline, training soldiers, and supporting commissioned officers. The establishment of these roles laid the foundation for the leadership and responsibilities that NCOs hold within the Army today. Understanding this historical context underlines the evolution of military structure and the increasing value of the NCO position in promoting effective command and control within the Army.