NCOs vs Officers: Who REALLY Runs the US Army?

The US Army Non-commissioned officer corps is the difference between America's Army and the rest of the world. Officers play a critical part in developing military strategy, but NCOs execute that strategy, improve on it, professionalize the force and take care of the soldiers; and they never hesitate to give their opinion. The best officers also understand the critical role of the NCO. As America navigates one of the most volatile times in history, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired General Joseph Votel, one of America’s most influential leaders and scholars in Middle East policy. General Votel served as Commander of United States Special Operations Command, US Central Command, Joint Special Operations Command and 75th Ranger Regiment; organizations critically responsible for America’s Middle East operations. For decades the Middle East has been America’s top national security challenge. Terrorism in Israel. War in Iraq and Afghanistan. Regional instability at the hands of Iran. And some of the world’s richest countries leveraging sweet crude oil to influence others. It takes more than just a military effort to find solutions. General Votel unpacked the reasons why Hamas chose to attack Israel on October 7th, Iran’s malign influence and proxy warfare, and the responsibility of the other Gulf states in preventing regional instability. He also broke down the opportunities the United States has in the region across the diplomatic, information, military and economic spectrum of national power; including America’s ability to mobilize for a peer-to-peer fight. Plus he talked all things Ranger Regiment, the officer-NCO relationship, and how effective leadership doesn’t require pages of policy, but a drive to get things done. Take a listen, watch, or read our conversation with one the Army’s most respected leaders then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch up on our entire national security series from Washington, DC and Fort Liberty, NC. Highlights: 0:00 Why are NCOs so critical? 2:35 What officers learn from NCOs 4:58 Continuity matters in leadership Quotes from the full episode: “In a word, they’ve had it and they're trying to reassert themselves.” “Putin has pretty much told us what he wants to do. He wants to eclipse the United States.” “The countries have the capabilities. What they lack is the integration gene.” “The Gulf partners, the other Arab states, aren’t that keen on having a new Palestinian state in the region.” “We have over-militarized a lot of our foreign policy in these areas. We need to be leading with diplomacy.” “If you open these humanitarian corridors, are you arming your adversary?” “When I showed up to West Point…instant buyer’s remorse.” “To me, leadership has really become about the basics.” “You got to learn to trust people.” “I had a Sergeant Major. Bill Thetford. We were together for eight plus years; longer than the average American marriage.” The organization has to be what the nation needs us to be.” “Wouldn’t it be great if everyone just served the country in some way?” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video versions on YouTube. The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of the guests and the host. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy. The Jedburgh Podcast Media Links: Website: https://greenberetfoundation.org/the-... Podcast Platforms: https://pod.link/1558608802 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cjwLO3... Instagram:   / jedburghpodcast   LinkedIn:   / the-jedburgh-podcast   Twitter:   / jedburghpodcast   Facebook:   / jedburghpodcast   Email: [email protected]