Episode 70: Character, Presence, Intellect: The Triple Threat of Army Leadership
Jul 30, 2025
Explore the core attributes that distinguish great Army leaders: character, presence, and intellect. Understand how character builds trust and accountability, while presence reflects professionalism and resilience. Discover actionable advice for showcasing these skills in evaluations, with concrete examples to enhance your NCOER. Delve into the importance of mental agility and innovative thinking in fostering effective leadership. Elevate your leadership game by mastering these essential qualities, essential for every aspiring leader.
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insights INSIGHT
Core Attributes Drive Promotion
The Army's core leadership attributes are character, presence, and intellect and they underpin promotions and mission success.
These attributes matter more than rank ornaments or loudness when judging leaders' potential.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Show Character With Concrete Examples
Document character on the NCOER using Army values, empathy, warrior ethos, and discipline.
Use specific examples that show trust-building and ethical mentorship to prove your character.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Write Impactful, Quantified Bullets
Combine mandatory topics (e.g., SHARP/EO) into measurable bullets showing impact and numbers.
Quantify outcomes and link them to unit climate or career results to strengthen NCOER bullets.
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Ever wondered what truly separates good leaders from great ones in the Army? Forget the stereotypes about badge-heavy uniforms and drill sergeant voices. The secret lies in mastering three fundamental leadership attributes: character, presence, and intellect.
In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the foundations of Army leadership according to AR 623-3 and DA PAM 623-3, breaking down what these attributes actually mean in practical terms. Character isn't just about Army values—it's about building trust and accountability while maintaining empathy and discipline. Presence goes beyond looking sharp in uniform—it's about embodying professionalism, fitness, confidence, and resilience in everything you do. As SMA Weimer puts it, "audio has to match the visual." And intellect? That's your problem-solving ability, innovative thinking, sound judgment, and tactical expertise in action.
What makes this episode especially valuable is the actionable advice for documenting these attributes on your NCOER. We share concrete examples of powerful bullets for each attribute—bullets that demonstrate both quantitative metrics and qualitative impact. Whether you're preparing for your next evaluation or mentoring junior NCOs, these insights will help you showcase not just your performance, but your potential. Because at the end of the day, the Army promotes based on what you're capable of becoming, not just what you've already done.
Ready to elevate your leadership game and stand out in your next evaluation? Listen now, share with your team, and remember: you don't have to embrace the suck if you've got the right tools in your ruck.
The Roger Sarnt Podcast