J.M. SIMPSON: NCO WANTS TO SEE LEADERSHIP >>>

Staff Sgt. Robert Smith is a bit on the quiet side.  One must ask a number of questions before he will answer just one question.

"It's just the way I am," he commented.  

The squad leader of 3rd Platoon, 571st Sapper Company, 14th Combat Engineer Battalion, Smith has served in the Army for the past four-and-half years.

He is serving his second deployment to Iraq.

"I joined because I was interested in the college money," said the native of Tennessee, as he sat in an office at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.  "I also like what I do, and I am good at it."

The first one in his immediate family to serve in the military, he is not sure if he will make the Army are career.

"Time will tell."

Smith's role as a squad leader is to lead his soldier during the numerous route clearance patrols they perform in order to ensure the safe movement of supplies throughout Iraq.

In accomplishing his missions, he also holds himself to high standards.

"A good non commissioned officer (NCO) has to know his job and how to teach it to his soldiers, and then be able to lead on the battlefield," said Smith as he began to relax.

"You can know everything, but you're useless if you can't lead."

And as far as Smith is concerned, there is no place in the Army for NCOs who cannot or will not lead.

"The challenging part of my job is working with poor NCOs," he commented.

For those who are thinking of joining the Army, he has some words of wisdom.

"Research what you want to do before you join," advised Smith.  "Don't let the recruiter be your deciding factor."

As for his fellow NCOs, Smith is very clear in his message to them.

"Don't let the rank be given to you.  Make sure that you deserve it and have earned it," he said as he got up and headed back out to prepare for another mission.