The Three Meter Zone: Common Sense Leadership for NCOs

Noncommissioned officers are a crucial element in the organisation and proper functioning of every army and often make the difference between good and bad units. The army’s NCOs are leaders from the ranks, bound to keep the enlisted men in order and their morale high. From initial training to the terror of modern battlefield combat, victory or defeat, a unit’s sergeants and corporals are prominent and to the fore, and epitomise what it takes to be a soldier. In this practical guide to being an effective NCO, J. D. Penry assesses, in direct and persuasive language, what it takes to succeed in this demanding and complex role. He analyses the key skills for the maintenance of discipline and unit morale; how to act as a go-between for officers and men; how to administer effectively and organise supplies; and how to get a corps to excel on parade and during inspections. Previous leadership books have been written by academics or officers - this one is the first to be written for NCOs by an NCO.