Photo By Sgt. Tiffany Fudge | U.S. Soldiers with the 8th Special Troops Battalion, 8th Theater Sustainment Command,...... read more read more
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – More than 150 noncommissioned officers from the 8th Theater Sustainment Command’s 8th Special Troops Battalion officially inducted 17 new noncommissioned officers into their corps during a ceremony, June 7, aboard Logistic Support Vessel 7, an Army Reserve asset that belongs to the 9th Mission Support Command.
Prior to the ceremony, the noncommissioned officers manned the rails of the logistic support vessel as it traveled from Pearl Harbor to its home dock at Hickam Air Force Base, rendering honors to the USS Arizona and the USS Missouri memorials en route.
“There was something very inspiring about that, remembering those who gave everything and being inducted right after, “ said Sgt. Joseph Smith, a newly inducted noncommissioned officer and a motor sergeant with the 8th STB. “It was a little emotional.”
The induction culminated a day full of events dedicated to noncommissioned officers corps’ traditions and fellowship.
Noncommissioned officers from all 8th TSC units began the day with a 4-mile run lead by Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, the 8th TSC commanding general.
The 8th STB noncommissioned officers then gathered for a noncommissioned officer call and lunch at Hickam AFB.
It was all about strengthening the corps, camaraderie and upholding tradition said Command Sgt. Maj. Toese Tia Jr., the 8th STB senior enlisted adviser.
The induction itself reflected this same commitment through the ceremonial lighting of the noncommissioned officer candles and a uniform tribute to noncommissioned officers past and present. Each inductee was formally sponsored by a noncommissioned officer senior to him or her and then made the symbolic passage under the noncommissioned officer swords. The inductees lead everyone in the noncommissioned officer creed and the Army song.
Guest speaker Leighton Siu, a retired command sergeant major and the protocol chief of operations for the 8th TSC, charged the inductees with living their creed as noncommissioned officers.
“You have two responsibilities as a NCO,” he said. “Accomplishment of the mission and the welfare of your soldiers.”
He recalled how these have always been top priorities for the corps.
Tia agreed and said these types of events bring the corps back to its roots. Now that our heavy engagements around the world have decreased, noncommissioned officers must seize the opportunity to reinvigorate their ranks.
“We are happy that we were able to reinforce why the corps of the noncommissioned officers truly is the backbone of the Army,” Tia said.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.10.2013 22:48 |
| Story ID: | 108426 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 118 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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