The Story of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps: The Evolution and Development of the NCO Corps, Portraits of NCOs in Action, Selected Documents

This special volume from the U.S. Army captures the history of the noncommissioned officer - a rich history that continues to evolve.

Army NCOs trace their roots to the beginnings of American military history. They helped Washington preserve the Continental Army at Valley Forge, stood with Winfield Scott at Chippewa, and directed Zachary Taylor's guns at Palo Alto. They carried the nation's colors at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, fought yellow fever in Cuba with Walter Reed, and led Pershing's and Eisenhower's legions into Germany. Whether helping local populations build a village in Southeast Asia or teaching young Iraqi soldiers to conduct operations, American NCOs are leading from the front and are some of our nation's best ambassadors. Over time, through various changes in tactics and technology, Army NCOs have emerged as the Army's small-unit leaders, trainers, and guardians of standards.

Contents * Part One: The Evolution and Development of the NCO Corps * Birth of an Army, 1775-1860 * The Civil War and Its Aftermath * American Expansion Overseas, 1898-1902 * NCOs Enter the Modern Era: World War I * World War II and Korea * Vietnam and Beyond * The Triumph of Professionalism * Desert Storm, Peacekeeping, and Beyond * Part Two: Portraits of NCOs in Action * To Range the Woods: New York, 1760 * An Ordered and Disciplined Camp: Virginia, 1781 * Along the Frontier: Louisiana Territory, 1804 * Checking Cartridge Boxes: Canada, 1814 * Guardians of Standards: Missouri, 1820s * Laying the Gun: Mexico, 1847 * Dress on the Colors: Virginia, 1864 * Ready for Patrol: New Mexico, 1870s * Ambulance Corps Proficiency: Cuba, 1898 * Sustaining the Offensive: France, 1918 * A Hidden Resource: Philippines, 1920s * Teamwork, Firepower, Responsibility: Italy, 1944 * Keeping the System Moving: Southwest Pacific, 1945 * From Information to Intelligence: Korea, 1952 * Give Me Ten: Georgia, 1960 * Into the Provinces: Vietnam, 1965 * War in a Maze: Vietnam, 1969 * Training the Trainers: CONUS, 1975 * Ready To Respond: Germany, 1987 * "Hell Night" on Objective Norfolk: Kuwait, 1991 * Expeditionary Operations: An APOD in CONUS, 1990s * War Against Terror in the Mountains: Afghanistan, 2002 * The Future * Part Three: Selected Documents * Responsibilities * Extract from Frederick von Steuben, Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, Part I, 1789 * Extract from An Act Establishing Rules and Articles for the Government of the Armies of the United States; with the Regulations of the War Department, 1812 * Extract from William Duane, A Hand Book for Infantry, 9th ed., 1814 * Extract from General Regulations for the Army of the United States; also, The Rules and Articles of War, and Extracts from Laws Relating to Them, 1835 * Extract from General Regulations for the Army of the United States, 1847 * Extract from Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott, Infantry Tactics; or, Rules for the * Exercise and Maneuvers of the United States Infantry, 1854 * Appendixes * A. Evolution of NCO Insignia * B. A Gallery of Noncommissioned Officer Heroes * C. Suggestions for Further Reading *