[98ZJ USMC]

Nothing new.

Been that way for looooong time.

[Old Sarge]

Please, stay out of the way, Sir...

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I like to remember that one of the original purposes of NCOs in modern armies was, as a column of soldiers marched onto an enemy column, side by side, to “take” the enemy musket volley, then bayonet the enemy before they could reload.

The NCOs would be at either end of the column, with a few behind the column. If any soldier left his place in the column, the NCOs were supposed to bayonet them.

[Joe 6-pack]

"You’ve got noncommissioned officers that aren’t just the battle NCO, but they’re in charge of the talk while deployed."

In charge of the "talk"?!?! Somebody mis-transcribed their recorder. I'm certain they meant, "TOC" (Tactical Operations Center).