Which statement reflects the core responsibility of a Noncommissioned Officer?

The core responsibility of a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) is to care for the physical readiness of the unit. This role encompasses a variety of tasks aimed at ensuring that soldiers are physically prepared to perform their duties effectively. NCOs are pivotal in maintaining and improving the overall health and fitness of the soldiers under their command, which includes conducting regular physical training, promoting proper nutrition, and assessing individual soldier readiness.

While training soldiers in combat missions is also an important aspect of an NCO's duties, it is not their sole responsibility. Executing orders without question is not part of the exemplary behavior expected from an NCO, as critical thinking and providing input in decision-making processes are valued traits. Maintaining confidentiality, while important in certain contexts, is more situational and does not encompass the broader responsibility of nurturing and developing soldiers and the military unit as a whole. Thus, focusing on physical readiness captures the essential duties of an NCO in supporting the overall mission of the Army.