Well, NCO stands for the later definition but how many of BB members, even NCOs, take time to ponder on what exactly is NCO and what is the function of having this position in the Brigade.
NCOs always prided having stripes on their right chevrons and white lanyard on their left shoulder. It symbolizes authority and higher position compared to Privates. NCOs also have the power to punish boys and give instruction to the other members ranked lower than them. This position is the most-eagerly awaited and most-looked forward short-term achievement in the Brigade. However, how many of the NCOs did actually understand and reflect on its actual role and what is expected of them in this leadership position?
A BB Company can be illustrated as a human body.
- Jesus, the Commander of the Boys’ Brigade, is the head and brain of the body. It provides direction, vision and objective for the company.
- The Officers Council is the nerve system, with the Captain being the major spinal cord, linking the Commander with other parts of the company. Every officer is part of the nerve system.
- The NCO Council is then the skeleton of the body. It provides the support for every movement of the body, which is the various section – Junior, Senior – are the other part of the body like hand, leg etc.
NCOs need to understand their crucial role in the company. As leaders for the Privates, Squad Leaders to your squad members, NCOs must display committed level of leadership. You are bestowed with authority and power to execute your duties as leaders for your squad. However, authority and power comes with responsibilities. When I was an NCO, when a private was punished with 10 push-ups for not polishing their belts, an NCO will be punished with 20 push-ups for similar mistake. I viewed the additional 10 push-ups for NCO as a punishment for not being a good example as a leader. So before you punish your boys/girls, always ask yourself whether you will be able to do better than them? If not, then think twice before punishing because with the authority to punish, you also have the responsibility to correct them.
Every single member assigned to you is like a sheep to the shepherd. Being an NCO is indeed a good opportunity to enhance and learn the art of leadership. If you have learned to handle your squad of ten members, then eventually more will be added to you as time progress. One day, NCOs will become officers in the company and leaders in the society. Then you will realize the experiences and skills learned from the NCO days will come handy.
I observed that NCOs of this generation lacks of initiative and motivation to strive for greater heights. It is extremely important for NCOs to have continuous drive to improve your company. NCO Council provides an excellence platform for NCOs to work as a team to make a difference for the company. NCO Councils can provide many wonderful ideas for improvement, organizing exciting activities within the company and as a support group among NCOs to motivate and encourage one another to pledge their commitment to the company.
However, many a times, strong NCO Council within a company has been seen as a threat to the officers’ authority. I was once the Chairman of the NCO Council and I truly understand the difficulties of having officers viewing the strength of NCO Council as a mutiny (pemberontakan). NCOs must learn to the ways to voice out their opinion and viewpoint in a mature way. In fact, this is the best training ground for you to learn to face the reality of the society. It is good that we learn to interact and debate on our opinion respectably to put forth our argument.
Well, having worn the hat of NCO and then Officer, I certainly viewed the strength of NCOs as a blessing to the company rather than threat to the officers. Officers need to realize that when there are opposition voices from the NCOs, we should take time and consider the argument that the young leaders put forward. We should actually take joy because our future leaders are not merely yes-man leaders but leaders with views and perspectives. Therefore, it is a challenge for Officers to guide these young leaders with the right perspective and framework, according to Christian leadership, to work as a team within the company. After all, the ministry of Boys’ Brigade is for young people and not adults.
Back to the NCOs, are you striving for the best as an individual and as a team in the NCO Council? As leader to your squad member, are you a good example for them to follow? Imagine NCOs with long hair, smoked, played truancy (ponteng sekolah); what example are the boys getting from you? Therefore, NCOs must show respectable image as leaders and yet able to connect with the boys. NCO always needs to build good rapport with his or her members and understand their needs and problems. NCOs should be impacting the boys and girls’ live with their own.
When every Squad Leaders and Assistant had strived to do their best, it is where the NCO Council can perform accordingly. All Squad Leaders should share their squad’s problems and everyone in the team will contribute ideas and support the leader to face and overcome the problem as a team. It is through these team efforts, that NCOs can build the team rapport and move forward as a team. I can assure NCOs that if the NCO Council is united and committed, your company will transform positively beyond imagination. In addition to that, NCOs should also encourage and support one another in our Christian walk in times of personal tribulation and temptation through sharing and prayers. I personally had experienced the wonders of God’s guidance and transformation when NCOs come together in prayer and fellowship.
NCOs – past, present and future aspiring NCOS, feel free to share your thoughts whether is NCO needed in BB?
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