SNCO

Military abbreviation · Military Term

SNCO
Stands forSenior noncommissioned officer
CategoriesMilitary

SNCO stands for Senior noncommissioned officer, a military term abbreviation.

Enlisted leader in the top grades, generally E-7 to E-9 in the Army and Air Force; the Marine Corps uses "staff NCO" for E-6 through E-9. SNCOs serve as platoon sergeants, first sergeants, superintendents and senior enlisted advisers.

Example: The SNCO academy curriculum focuses on managing people, budgets and programs rather than tasks.

Usage notes

Each service runs its own senior NCO schools, such as the Army's Sergeants Major Course and the Air Force Senior NCO Academy. Marines write SNCO for staff noncommissioned officers, who have their own clubs and messes on many bases.

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