The NCO Creed
No one is more professional than I. I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of noncommissioned officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the military service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety. Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind—accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a noncommissioned officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment. Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, noncommissioned officers, leaders!
What it actually means
The one every corporal and sergeant is supposed to internalize. The three paragraphs spell N-C-O, and each one is really a boundary: paragraph one is about not abusing rank, paragraph two is "competence is my watchword" and mission-plus-welfare, paragraph three is the relationship with the officers above you — do your job so they can do theirs. "I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety" is the line that separates a leader from a guy with stripes.
Where it came from
Written in the early 1970s at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Benning, as part of the Army’s push to professionalize the NCO corps after Vietnam. It has been lightly revised since; the version above is the current one.
U.S. Army (Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer) — reference