The most important reason to show respect to an NCO is that we are able to keep our attention on the mission at hand instead of having a horrible breakdown in communication in the heat of battle. Another, just as important, reason to respect an NCO is that without respect there would be no discipline. Baron Von Steuben was the first to recognize to that in order to have a successful military we would need to put into effect certain values, one of which was respect for NCO's. And so you see when you have respect between soldiers and NCO's and there is no breakdown in communication then we are less vulnerable to attack. (1)
Army leadership begins with character, the values and attributes that shape what the leader must BE. Army leaders must demonstrate exemplary conduct in their professional and personal lives. They adopt and internalize the Army Values and develop the requisite mental, physical, and emotional attributes of a warrior. Additionally, the ambiguous nature of the operational environment requires Army leaders to know themselves and deal with circumstances as they are, not as they want them to be. (2)
Not only should you respect NCO's and anyone in the chain of command but everyone around you at all times. It would be in your best interest to be cognizant of your surroundings and watch what you say around others. If an individual finds what you have to say disrespectful then they have the right to