Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Anishka Calder | Soldiers role-play the third watch during a skit highlighting the traditions of the...... read more read more
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By Anishka Calder
1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – The Non-commissioned Officer Corps has a tradition that dates back to the birth of the Continental Army in 1775. Each month the corps celebrates the entrance of Soldiers into its crème-de-la-crème corps. A part of this entrance, though, not always done for each entrant, is the induction into the NCO Corps.
The 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), in combination with the 640th Special Troops Battalion, held its first NCO induction ceremony, on Nov. 2, at the Training and Activity Center at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Newly promoted NCOs were officially welcomed into the Corps with a ceremony that highlighted what it means to be an NCO.
"The NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted who are joining the ranks of a professional non-commissioned officer corps, which emphasizes and builds on the pride we all share as members of this elite Corps," said Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Riddick, the command sergeant major for the 598th Transportation Terminal Group, and the guest speaker for the event. "I want you to understand that this is a celebration, we are here to celebrate your accomplishment."
The ceremony highlighted time-honored traditions which included skits portraying the watches that Soldiers were required to do once every four days before becoming an NCO. At the first watch, a private came to claim a gift consisting of brandy and bread; at the second watch, an NCO from the company came for his gift of tobacco and beer; then at the third watch, the company first sergeant was presented with his gift of a piece of tobacco and a glass of wine on a tin plate.
The rite of passage into the NCO Corps is an indication of the experience and leadership potential that these Soldiers possess, and of their duty to care for their Soldiers.
"Today I stand here proud to accept you into the non-commissioned officer corps. You should be proud of your accomplishment, you should be proud to be a non-commissioned officer," said Riddick, a native of Hertford, N.C. "With your rank comes the responsibility to care for the Soldiers who will be placed under your care. The American people give us their sons and daughters and expect us to care for them, as they should. Your leadership is counting on you to do just that."
The 22 newly inducted NCOs were thrilled to be recognized for attaining their new ranks and for being welcomed into the corps in a ceremony that showed them the traditions that were brought down through generations. One of these inductees has only two years of service in the military. He gave his take on the event.
"The ceremony gave me a little insight into more of the traditions of the NCO Corps, I had never seen these traditions before," said Justin Taylor, 23, a light wheeled mechanic from 1st TSC. "I liked the part where the Soldiers told us what they expected of us as NCOs. I especially liked the end where they asked us to train them so that one day they may become sergeants. I think that's what becoming an NCO is really all about, turning Soldiers into sergeants because they are going to be the leaders of tomorrow."
"The NCO Corps is a body that is really into traditions," said Sgt. Tawana E. Rudolph, 26, a unit supply NCO from the 640th STB. "These traditions are only symbols now, but what it represents is the carrying on of the torch of responsibility of the backbone of the Army which is the NCO Corps."
Three candles were lit to signify the burning desire of each inductee to lead from the front. The lighting of the red candle by Riddick symbolized the blood shed and courage of the Soldiers serving and those who served in the U.S. Army. The lighting of the blue candle by Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmy Rutherford, the command sergeant major for 1st TSC's STB, and a native of Norris Town, Pa., symbolized valor and fidelity, qualities expected of the members of the NCO Corps. The lighting of the white candle by Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Vance, the command sergeant major for the 640th STB, and a native of Hillsboro, Ohio, was in honor of those who gave their lives for this country.
The Soldiers spoke highly of the new challenges ahead for them.
"It's an honor to become part of the Corps of NCOs and I'm excited about the new responsibilities," said Taylor, a native of Inverness, Fla. "I've always felt like I was a born leader and this is the position that puts you into a leadership role... I always wanted to be a leader in the Army."
"It's a little different being a part of the NCO Corps. You're part of the bigger picture and there's a lot more responsibility," added Rudolph, a native of Lowndes County, Ala. "The officers above you depend on you to get the mission done, and the Soldiers below you depend on you to lead them in the right direction."
For Sgt. Matthew Eley, an automated logistics supervisor from the 1st TSC, being a part of the NCO Corps is an accomplishment that he looked forward to achieving.
"My family has a long tradition of serving in the military," said Eley, 29, a native of Carey, Ohio. "Most of my family members have served in the Army at one point or another, my father, my grandfather, most of my cousins, uncles... they have all been NCOs in the past. Now I can tell my father, 'We have something in common'."
At the conclusion of his address to the new inductees, Riddick charged them to make use of the opportunity to leave a lasting impression in the lives of Soldiers throughout their careers.
"We as leaders have an awesome opportunity to make a difference in Soldiers' lives. They look up to us and in some cases want to be like us," said Riddick. "We have to be willing to become coaches, teachers and mentors . . . we have to coach, teach and mentor them to be better Soldiers, better leaders, better fathers and mothers and most of all better people... The measure of your success will be the number of people you touch along the way who will never forget you for what you did for them."
| Date Taken: | 11.12.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2007 11:36 |
| Story ID: | 13806 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 364 |
| Downloads: | 323 |
This work, Soldiers cross the line in celebration of a rich tradition, by SFC Anishka Calder, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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