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A non-commissioned officer ("NCO") is an enlisted soldier or
sailor who has been delegated leadership or command authority by a commissioned officer. The non-commissioned officer corps is the
mid-level management of any military. An experienced NCO corps is a very important part of Western armies. In the American
military, NCO's are called the "backbone" of the service.
In the Roman Army, they were called centurions.
Typically NCOs serve as administrative personnel, as advisors to the officer corps, and as both supervisors of, and advocates
for, the lower-ranking enlisted personnel.
The ranks of NCO includes all grades of Warrant officer, Sergeant, Corporal, and Petty Officer.
See also
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