Photo By Master Sgt. Michele Hammonds | Camp Virginia Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence E. Canada and 1st Sustainment Command...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Michele Hammonds
1st Sustainment Command (Theater)
Public Affairs Office
CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait – The Army inducted 31 newly promoted sergeants into the Non-commissioned Officer Corps (NCO) at an NCO Induction Ceremony before a packed crowd at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, Sept. 7.
More than 200 Soldiers observed the sergeants' induction into the NCO Corps. These Soldiers are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry, 312th Adjutant Postal, and 349th, 38th and 40th Personal Security Detail all are down trace units of the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater).
"The tradition of observing the passing of a Soldier to the Non-commissioned Officer Corps can be traced to the army of Frederick the Great," said Master Sgt. Pedro Mercado, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment. "Today we recognize our newest leaders into the ranks of the time honored United States Army Non-commissioned Officer Corps."
Members of the 160th Infantry Regiment did a short skit to demonstrate how Soldiers from the army of Frederick the Great stood three watches as part of their requirements before receiving official recognition as NCOs.
"Today's rite of passage is a celebration of the newly promoted – joining the ranks of our professional Non-commissioned Officer Corps – emphasizes the pride we all share as members of such an elite corps," said Mercado, a Bronx, N.Y., native, who officiated the induction ceremony.
The 335th Signal Command Sgt. Maj. Phillip Brown, offered words of wisdom to the inductees as the guest speaker for the ceremony.
"These Soldiers are the future that is coming up. You will take the old guy's place like me in the future," said Brown. "Take care of your Soldiers is the only job you have. That is what leadership is all about."
Brown challenged the Soldiers to always set the example for their junior troops.
"Live, and live by the Army values," he said.
One at a time, three Soldiers lit red, white and blue candles and recited a portion of the NCO Creed as part of the candle lighting ceremony.
The red candle symbolized the bloodshed and the courage shown by all that served in the elite ranks of the United States Army.
"Valor and Fidelity are two characteristics symbolized by the lighting of the blue candle, just a few of the qualities both instilled and expected of the Soldiers of the NCO Corps," added Mercado.
Finally, the lighting of the white candle symbolized honoring the dead, those fallen comrades; who gave their lives for this country. Mercado reminded the audience to never forget one of their own, Sgt. First Class Paul R. Smith, the first Medal of Honor recipient for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Smith braved hostile enemy fire without regard for his own life to save his fellow Soldiers. He was fatally wounded during a firefight near the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, on April 4, 2003.
Immediately following the candle lighting ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy L. Allen, top senior enlisted Soldier of the 678th Personnel Services Battalion, asked, "Are there any Soldiers present that deserve to be a member of our time-honored corps?"
"Yes Sergeant Major, there are Soldiers," replied Mercado.
A row of Soldiers stood up with precision and marched single file and waited their turn before walking through a wooden arch equipped with the enlisted NCO ranks from corporal to command sergeant major. But before each Soldier marched forward, his or her individual sponsor stated to the command sergeant major's panel that they had mentored each Soldier present. Once this happened, all Soldiers filed by the command sergeant major and received framed NCO induction certificates.
Sgt. Timothy Fisher, of Alpha Company, 160th Infantry Battalion, received induction into the NCO Corps at the ceremony. Fisher, 24, provides convoy security as a gun truck driver in the California National Guard. Outside the Army he is a private investigator. Since arriving here in March, Fisher estimates he has been on 30 convoy missions that transport equipment and cargo across the border into Iraq.
"My unit mission is important so that supplies can get to the different forward operating bases in Iraq," said Fisher, who is a native of Orange, Calif. "We have to protect U.S. property going in and out of Iraq."
As a gun truck commander, Fisher said, "My job is to make sure that everyone in my vehicle gets home alive."
Staying alive is something Sgt. Javier Beltran does not take for granted. Beltran received his induction into the NCO Corps at the ceremony. He also provides convoy security as a Soldier from A Company, 160th Infantry Regiment. Beltran estimated he has been on 30 convoy missions running supplies up north into Iraq.
"Before my camaraderie was closer with my subordinates, and now as an NCO, I look to be a leader rather than a follower," said Beltran, a National Guard Soldier and a sales representative for United Parcel Service. He is a native of San Diego, Calif.
Beltran, 33, is a gun truck commander and now he has two younger Soldiers assigned to him. He and his fellow Soldiers escort civilian trucks and their main task is escorting civilian trucks to the forward operating bases in Iraq.
"It is challenging and it takes a lot of discipline and bravery, especially for two of my younger Soldiers, who ride in the truck with me on convoy missions," said Beltran, a combat engineer.
Beltran said it's important to let young Soldiers coming up the ranks know if they strive and achieve they too can become NCOs, he said. "My unit is tasked out to a very dangerous mission and I am honored we are tasked out to make sure that happens."
Sgt. Christopher Fleischman, knows all too well about being tasked to participate in missions. Fleischman received his induction into the NCO Corps also at the ceremony. The 26-year-old was a member of the Individual Ready Reserve when he received a call up for mobilization to be assigned with the Headquarters and Headquarters, Company, 160th Infantry Battalion, which deployed here. Fleischman, a Newwark, N.Y., native, made the transition from laborer to Soldier as a 63B all-wheeled diesel mechanic. In his new role, Fleischman supervises six junior mechanics. He and his Soldiers provide mechanical services, which keeps the 160th Inf Bn. trucks moving for convoys.
Fleischman said he enjoys mentoring junior mechanics and at the same time working on vehicles.
"There is always something different and new to learn and something different to work on," he said.
His junior Soldiers had a chance to see one of their own receive some recognition when he was inducted into the NCO Corps.
"The ceremony brought out the true meaning of what it is like to be an NCO," he said.
"As an NCO, I am going to do my best to go above and beyond to help my Soldiers out."
Near the end of the ceremony, Camp Virginia Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence E. Canada, rendered a special charge to the new inductees when he asked them to repeat the NCO creed.
"Today our newest non-commissioned officers will affirm their commitment to the professionalism of our corps, and become a part of the 'Backbone of the Army,'" Mercado said.
All 31 new inductees raised their right hands and recited the NCO Creed. The Command Sgt. Maj. panel welcomed them as the newest members of the NCO Corps along with the audience to conclude the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Sgt. Edna Buenrostro, of the 349th Personnel Detachment, was all smiles. She received an Army Achievement for helping to coordinate this one-of-a-kind NCO Induction Ceremony. Buenrostro, a 24-year-old native of San Benito, Texas, spent two-and-a-half weeks working late nights to coordinate the event and decorate the tent while the Navy Sea Bees built the wooden arch.
The fulltime student and mother has become accustomed to coordinating events as the deployment cycle support team NCO. She helps redeploying Soldiers returning home after finishing their tours in Iraq and Kuwait.
"It made me feel good seeing the Soldiers when they first walked in and they looked around and nodded their heads in approval," said Buenrostro, who is a member of the Texas National Guard. "I was glad that I did not disappoint anybody."
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2007 11:12 |
| Story ID: | 12342 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 874 |
| Downloads: | 732 |
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