"Proof of servant leadership principles are exemplified in the words of the NCO Creed. The creed states: “I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit or personal safety.… Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine…. I know my Soldiers, and I will always place their needs above my own.” In fact, the whole NCO Creed, along with the Soldiers’ Creed, is a testament to servant leadership. Servant leadership and the servant leader are powerful sources of inspiration in our Army today, and examples can be seen throughout time. Servant leaders, having chosen to be servants first, have in them the capacity for caring and providing for others—subordinate or senior. The servant leader feels a responsibility to do this and does not serve seeking reward. The servant leader cares for all and attempts to bring them to a level that inspires them to also become servant leaders. Observations and experiences from my 30 years of service (27 years as a leader) have shown me that good leaders, are good followers, or servants, first. Along the way, they perfected the skills of the Army profession and learned to care for Soldiers. Eventually, they embrace the philosophy of servant leadership themselves and became servant leaders."