COMPANY STAFF DUTIES

Priority one is education, our NCO must lead by example, their knowledge and dedication will inspire others within the ranks. There ability to instruct must also be evaluated.

An NCO must be a soldier’s strength, his integrity and impartiality to those under his supervision is paramount to achieving this goal. He must control his temper and must discharge the duties assigned to him without prejudice. An NCO who is not under control commands a unit that is not under control

An NCO must be prepared, as it is important to relay orders and make assignments it is important that an NCO carry the period correct writing instrument and parchment in order to carry out the duties assigned and fill out the required documents. Proper record keeping will help the NCO keep from repetitiously assigning duties.

As the NCO leads by example all attempts should be made to remove modern apparel or habits within Company streets, the examples being, modern eye ware, watches, and habits like smoking modern cigarettes.

The repeating of commands given either by the officers should be avoided except in such cases where the NCO is certain that those orders have not been heard.

Non-Commissioned Officers as is human nature may develop friendships; they must take care not to favor certain soldiers, by relieving them of certain less favorable assignments. This can destroy the working relationship of a squad and cause problems within the ranks. This type of action will cause the enlisted to feel that favoritism is taking place. All effort must be put forth in keeping this in check. That is why it is so important for NCOs and Officers to track duty assignments.

All NCOs should own a copy of Hardee’s Rifle and Light Infantry Tactics. And it is recommended that you read the Regulations for the Army Confederate States of America on our unit website.

Regulations for the Army of the Confederate States of America [pdf]

Non-Commission Ranks and Duties:

Corporal is the first step to promotion in both the Federal and Confederate Armies. Those chosen should be those with a knowledge and dedication, those with the ability to teach the school of the shoulder and command a squad. A Corporal’s primary concern should be the members of his squad he will have the closest working relationship with the men in his unit. As with all NCOs corporal should be an example to the men that they command and to the other members of the company and regiment. The Corporals should set an example by their attention to military detail, and in the discharge of their duties.

The Corporal should be able to drill his squad and recruits as required in the school of the soldier, Hardee’s Rifle and Infantry tactics.

As the primary concern of the Corporal is his squad, it is important that the Corporal maintain contact and communicates with members of his squad, not only at an event but also away from the field. This will make events, drills and Unit activities more productive. Communication between events

The Corporal is the lifeline between the men in his squad and should know the symptoms dealing with heat and cold related injuries. The Corporal should be aware of any medical conditions of a member of his squad. It is important to verify that the medical information card is current and in its proper place.

The Corporal should make sure all members of his squad stay hydrated and carry a full canteen. It is also important that they have been eating and that they are equipped to deal with any weather related problems.

It is extremely important that the Corporal watch the members of his squad when it comes to the use and handling of weapons. Those members of the squad acting in an unsafe manner should be addressed and the situation corrected by the Corporal. If the action persist, than the Corporal’s duty, is to advise the First Sergeant or if unavailable a company officer without haste.

Any failure to carry out an order issued by the Corporal should be reported to the First Sgt. and the First Sergeant has the duty to handle the incident or refer it to the company commander.

As a Re-enactor, and an NCO portraying a military organization the Non-Commission Officers must camp in the company street (unless relieved due to medical difficulties). This will ensure that he is readily available to the men in his squad and to his unit.

Sergeant:

Sergeants should be able to teach the men in the unit the drills, from, “School of the Soldier” and a good knowledge of skirmish drills. The Sergeant will usually command two corporals and their combined squads. The Sergeant is responsible to make sure the Corporals in their section carry out the duties that are required.

The Sergeant also must be able to assume the duties of the First Sergeant in the event that he is unavailable or unable to attend to his duties.

The Sergeant will help guide his section on marches and in line of battle, helping maintain the cohesiveness of the unit. He must keep the ranks dressed, and in order.

The Sergeant is also responsible for safety, in that they are the only one authorized to clear a misfired weapon and if needed draw a rammer on the field. The Sergeant will relieve the soldier who has had a misfire of his weapon remove it to the rear of the company for clearing during the battle.

The Sergeant is normally assigned the duties of ordinance, unless an Ordinance Sergeant is designated. The duties may be assigned to a Senior Corporal if manpower warrants.

The Sergeant, or Ordinance NCO, will see to the collection and distribution of all ordinances from and to the unit members. Upon arrival all cartridges will be marked, and counted and turned into the Sergeant who will record the marking, and number of cartridges and secure the cartridges in a safe manner. The number of cartridges issued to each member will be logged and after the scenario each unexpended round will be counted and returned to the Sergeant to be secured.

When the unit deploys as skirmishers the Sergeant will be the NCO in charge of the rear rank.

The Sergeant as with the Corporal, must camp with his troops, in order to be available to the men and officers of the unit.

First Sergeant:

The First Sergeant is the senior company grade NCO, he reports directly to the Sergeant Major or Company Commander. He must be fully versed in the “School of the Soldier”, “School of the Company”, and the Skirmish drill. The First Sergeant may at times be required to take command of a company. He should have a working knowledge of the “School of the Battalion”.

As the top NCO of the Company the First Sergeants primary duty is to the Soldiers and NCOs in his charge. He must maintain communication with subordinate NCOs as to their assigned duties and requirements. As with any military organization the Senior NCOs more than any other people develop and control the Unit.

The First Sergeant is responsible to train the Sergeant in his duties in case the Sergeant is required to substitute for the First Sergeant. The First Sergeant is also required to learn the duties of the Captain and Lieutenant, in case it is required that the First Sergeant must fill those positions. A good First Sergeant can relieve a lot of duties from an officer and put the Company through their daily routine and drills.

The First Sergeant is a position of great honor, and achievement within the enlisted ranks. The First Sergeant has great responsibility and the duties require knowledge greater than the other Sergeants.

The First Sergeant is the Company’s immediate supervisor and receives his orders directly from the Sgt. Major or Company Commander. The First Sergeant then assigned details and sees to their timely completion.

The First Sergeant is responsible for the training and drilling of Company’s NCOs and enlisted personnel in the School of the Soldier and Company. The First Sergeant ensures that the Sergeants and Corporals properly see to the training of the enlisted assigned to them.

The Senior NCO of the Company keeps a roster and is responsible to do roll call at events and drills. When the Company is formed the First Sergeant will take position in the front and center call calling in order in descending order from Sergeants, to Corporals, to Privates by alphabetical order. The First Sergeant completes the roll of the number of muskets that responded to roll including the First Sergeant and advises the Commanding Officer.

After Roll Call before dismissing the men, the First Sergeant post the days duty assignments, along with any special orders or announcements.

The First Sergeant will then call the Company to attention for the posting of Colors and being addressed by the Company Commander.

The First Sergeant will salute the Officer and once the salute is returned assume his position on the company right.

After being dismissed from formation the First Sergeant must complete the morning report and signs. The First Sergeant then presents the morning report to the Sergeant Major or Company Commander, if the Sergeant Major is unavailable.

The First Sergeant as with all other NCO should be available to both the command and enlisted, therefore it is important for the First Sergeant to camp with the company a near the Company Commander’s quarters. The first sergeant MUST camp in the company street, preferably as close to the commanding officer as possible.

The First Sergeant is empowered to issue orders and see to their being carried out. The First Sergeant will make a full report of action or orders given to the Commanding Officer. Any orders issued to the First Sergeant will be relayed in the manner of “By order of the Captain”, or Commanding Officer.

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