Photo By Maj. Shamika Hill | Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Andrew Alonzo addresses the newly promoted noncommissioned...... read more read more
MESA, Ariz. - Fourteen Soldiers of the 98th Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB) Bravo Company spoke in unison the words of their newly adopted creed as they were honored for their progression during the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Induction Ceremony at Arizona State Polytechnic’s memorial union on Jan. 10.
The purpose of the NCO Induction Ceremony is to recognize and celebrate those men and women who have worked hard to advance in rank. It is a tradition that has been active since Frederick the Great ruled the Prussian army in the 18th century.
The NCO creed, which is recited as a final act of passage, dates back to 1973, when the U.S. Army was experiencing challenging times. The purpose was to set a standard for the NCOs to measure up to as well as expect from their Soldiers. This creed helped give the Army the structure seen today.
Andrew Alonzo, a retired Army sergeant major of 26 years, reflects on what it meant to him going through this rite of passage.
“It was one of the happiest days of my life,” Alonzo said.
The Army is primarily made up of junior enlisted Soldiers that range from the rank of private (E-1) to private 1st class (E-3). With the Army being the largest military branch in the U.S., achieving the title of NCO becomes that much more of a distinguished accomplishment.
“It’s a change in personality and expectations,” said Alonzo. “These type of ceremonies signify to those Solders that, hey, I’m no longer one of the many, I’m a part of the few, the corps of noncommissioned officers.”
The 12 newly promoted Soldiers in the room stood with their attention to those watching in the crowd as each speaker made his or her remarks.
Freshly promoted Sgt. Walton Morris, a multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer with the 98th ESB, acknowledges the responsibility involved in his newly acquired promotion.
“It’s been a long journey,” he said. “Now that I am in a different position as a leader, everything that you do now is basically being watched by your superiors and also by your peers and subordinates.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Wesley Deegan, of the 98th ESB, was also in attendance for the ceremony, providing his experience on the choices that come with the newly acquired rank.
“You have to make that distinction now between leading and friendship which is a tough transition,” he said. “They can still be your friends, but now you have to draw a line.”
It’s a change that is necessary.
“It helped me grow for the Army,” he said. “Once you become responsible for someone else’s training, it becomes a whole other mentality.”
“It shows them that it is a big deal to come to the NCO corps,” he said. “It’s not just a piece of paper, and we want to treat it as such.”
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.13.2016 17:27 |
| Story ID: | 186231 |
| Location: | MESA, ARIZONA, US |
| Hometown: | MESA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 559 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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