What does non-commissioned mean? Do these officers go through officer academy like ordinary officers? And why do some analysts say that having a strong NCO class is essential to a well-functioning army (i.e. what can they do that a normal officer can’t?)
Thanks in advance!
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You need to start by understanding the legal distinction between the two largest groups of military members:
Commissioned Officers are **Professional Soldiers**, meaning that they can quit. They are **Responsible**, meaning they are granted privileged use of both human beings and government property. They are also **Accountable**, meaning the failure of their assigned tasking, or the misuse or misplacement of their responsible resources, can result in criminal charges.
Enlisted are in **Service**, meaning that are bound by law, and can only be released with legal assent. They are **Not Responsible** for either men or equipment, even the equipment they *physically hold* and the people *they functionally manage* are the responsibility of the first Commissioned Officer in the chain of command. They are also broadly **Unaccountable** for their actions. Gross criminal conduct will still be prosecuted, but the same simple failure or negligence that would land a Commissioned Officer in prison will result in some form of non-judicial punishment for an Enlisted.
Nestled within this same group, with all of these same restrictions, are Non-Commissioned Officers. They are still in legal bondage, still can’t sign for gear or approve a promotion, and still can’t be thrown in jail for sucking at their jobs. But they are given elevated rank over other enlisted, de facto management of small groups of men or singular pieces of equipment, and are practically, though not *legally*, trusted by the government to accomplish specific tasks.
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