What tool may NCOs use to assess squad, crew, and soldier proficiency?

The leader book is a vital tool for non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to assess squad, crew, and soldier proficiency because it allows for systematic documentation of training, performance, and readiness information. It serves not only as a personal reference for the NCO but also as a means to track individual and collective progress over time. By maintaining a leader book, NCOs can keep detailed records of training activities, evaluations, duty assignments, and skills proficiency, which are critical for evaluating overall readiness and identifying areas for improvement. This tool fosters effective communication and situational awareness within the unit, ultimately facilitating better training outcomes and leadership development.

While performance evaluations and training logs are also important, they typically serve more specialized purposes rather than ongoing assessment through direct observation and documentation during training activities. A readiness assessment may provide a snapshot of unit readiness but does not offer the continuous feedback and detailed insights that a leader book provides.