Noncommissioned officers (NCO) are the backbone of the U.S. Army, and building the next generation of NCO leaders is always an essential component of meeting current and future mission requirements. Recent research has indicated that the transition from junior enlisted Soldier to NCO is often daunting as Soldiers face challenges in professional, personal, and social domains due to the change in status from follower to leader.  Therefore, the purpose of this research was to identify challenges and barriers to a successful transition and to identify successful strategies employed to navigate the transition. We conducted focus groups and interviews with approximately150 NCOs to capture their personal experiences leading up the transition, as they were in the midst of the transition, and, retrospectively, after establishing themselves as a leader. We also administered questionnaires to approximately 150 NCOs to quantify experiences in this transition phase.  Results suggest that many prospective and junior NCOs struggle with confidence, motivation to lead, and basic leadership skills.  However, the results indicate that junior enlisted leaders report that they generally acquire the necessary skills and self-development aspects as they perform required duties as a leader. Together, the results suggest that earlier exposure to these activities may accelerate and ease the transition process for many NCOs.

The research described herein was sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Department of the Army (Contract No. W911NF-19-F-0052). The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, DOD, or the U.S. Government.