Courtesy Photo | Coalition forces congratulate the newly promoted noncommissioned officers at the...... read more read more
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TARIN KOT, Afghanistan –Newly promoted sergeants from 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division performed a rite of passage ceremony aimed at reaffirming the commitment noncommissioned officers have to being known as “Backbone” of the Army. The ceremony called the Spartan NCO Induction Ceremony was held on April 15, 2013, at Multi National Base - Tarin Kot, Afghanistan.
During the ceremony, to highlight the importance of the transition, the 15 NCO inductees marched through an archway covered in all the NCO Corps ranks – from corporal to command sergeant major of the Army in front of leaders and soldiers from Combined Team Uruzgan.
This tradition dates back to Frederick the Great when before a soldier could be recognized in the full status of an NCO, he was required to stand four watches, one every four days, and on the 4th day the new sergeants symbolically crossed the ‘time-honored line’ from soldier to NCO to emphasize the momentous event.
The guest speaker at the event was 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team Command Sgt. Maj. Jefferson Moser who spoke about the NCO induction and its significance.
“The NCO induction is an event that allows the new sergeants to physically see that they are part of something bigger than themselves…Spartan NCOs physically walked under the archway to signify to the individual the important responsibility of training and mentoring the next generation” Moser said.
The command sergeant major knows first hand about this responsibility as he is currently deployed on his seventh tour where he has trained and mentored soldiers and leaders in combat.
Seventy-five coalition soldiers attended the ceremony, decorated in combat theme, including the commander of Combined Team Uruzgan Col. Simon Stuart (AS), commander of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, Col. Douglas C. Cardinale and soldiers, sailors and airmen of all ranks across MNB-TK.
The event, organized by Master Sgt. Trinidad Cantu, with the assistance of other senior NCOs, highlighted the new challenges and responsibilities that await the newly promoted sergeants. “Becoming a Sergeant is significant because they are no longer responsible for just themselves and must lead by example,” said Cantu.
One soldier up for the challenge was Sgt. David Mizell was promoted to sergeant in March 2013. “It was an honor to receive my rank here in Afghanistan with other Spartans who are in the same combat environment and who live together so far from home,” said Mizell. “You feel a little bit of an accomplishment as you take that next step in your career,” added Mizell.
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2013 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 105679 |
| Location: | TARIN KOWT, AF |
| Hometown: | SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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