NCO and commissioned officers are two positions that army officials are given based on their competence and eligibility. Both have quite a few differences between them.
Key Takeaways
- Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) hold enlisted leadership positions within the military and serve as the direct supervisors of lower-ranking enlisted personnel.
- Commissioned officers hold higher ranks, receive authority through a commission from the President, and are responsible for leading larger units and making strategic decisions.
- NCOs gain their positions through experience and promotion within the enlisted ranks. At the same time, commissioned officers obtain their commissions through officer training programs, such as Officer Candidate School or ROTC.
NCO vs Commissioned Officer
NCO is a senior-level officer that belongs to Group B or Class II categories of officials, and they are in charge of training junior soldiers. Commissioned officer is the highest-ranked officer that belongs to Class I or Group A. Their major duties are managing troops and giving lower officers tasks.
NCO stands for a non-commissioned officer. These are officials who are the primary and most visible leaders of military soldiers. They work directly under commissioned officers and ensure the orders are followed on ground level.
The issuance of a formal document by the head of state appoints them. Their responsibility is to command anything from a company, division, battalion, brigade, or even the entire army.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | NCO | Commissioned Officer |
|---|---|---|
| Position | NCO is a senior-level officer but is ranked below commissioned officers. | Commissioned officers hold the highest rank in the army. |
| Category | NCOs belong to the Class-II or Group B category of officials. | Commissioned officers belong to the Class-I or Group-A category of officials. |
| Collaring | NCOs earn their position by being promoted from lower ranks. | Commissioned officers earn their position through a commission from the head of state. |
| Major Duties | Training junior soldiers and making sure that commission officers’ orders are followed at ground level. | Managing listed troops and giving NCOs tasks, assignments, and instructions. |
| Training | NCOs undergo leadership and management training. | Their training involves leadership, management, service-specific coaching, and combat training. |
What is NCO?
Their responsibility is to supervise within the field of trade specialty. For this, they receive rigorous leadership and management training.
While senior NCOs are given the responsibility of supervision, NCOs at lower levels are not yet considered part of management. Regardless, they are considered the ‘backbone’ of the army.
In maritime forces, NCOs are named petty officers and chief petty officers. This status means that the official is a seaman, airman, fireman, etc.
They are enlisted in ranks that are referred to as privates and airmen. In countries where service in the army is compulsory, NCOs are called professional soldiers and not officials.
What is Commissioned Officer?
The formal document is referred to as a ‘commission.’ These officers comprise around one-eighth to one-fifth of the armed forces.
The training given to such officers involves education in leadership and management. They are also given service-specific coaching and combat training. Many countries even require officials to have a certain university degree.
In some cases, civilian professionals with reputable credentials are listed as commissioned officials. They are directly placed in their position but cannot command authority outside of service-specific branches.
They were directly commissioned. Their responsibility was to supervise and carry out material production for the army.
Main Differences Between NCO and Commissioned Officer
- The responsibilities of NCOs include junior training soldiers and making sure that commission officers’ orders are followed at ground level. On the other hand, commissioned officers’ duties include managing listed troops and giving tasks, assignments, and instructions to NCOs.
- NCOs undergo leadership and management training, whereas commissioned officers undergo leadership, management, service-specific and combat training.
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
The NCO vs. Commissioned Officer section provides an accurate and detailed comparison between the two roles. It’s great.
I agree, the article is quite comprehensive.
The comparison table is very helpful for understanding the key differences.
The comparison between NCOs and commissioned officers is enlightening. I learned a lot from this article.
It’s always great to have clear information about the roles of NCOs and commissioned officers.
It’s unbelievable that some people are still unaware of the differences between NCOs and commissioned officers. This article is very informative.
The article explains the difference between NCO and commissioned officers quite concisely. It is a great source of knowledge.
Yes, I found it very helpful.
I agree, the article is very clear and informative.
The section outlining the main differences between NCO and commissioned officers was great. The article is thorough and detailed.
It’s important to note that NCOs are the ‘backbone’ of the army. They are crucial for the functioning of military units.
Absolutely, NCOs play a vital role in ensuring the execution of orders at ground level.
The section explaining non-commissioned officers and their responsibilities is exceptionally well-written.
I couldn’t agree more. The article provides a detailed understanding of both NCOs and commissioned officers.
This article provides valuable insights into the roles and responsibilities of NCOs and commissioned officers.