Inducting NCOs that are Second to None

Photo By Staff Sgt. Sarah Sangster | Command Sgt. Maj. Toby Kammer and Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Williams join fellow noncommissioned officers in reciting the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer at the NCO Induction ceremony.  

SOUTH KOREA

05.18.2017

Story by Spc. Sarah Sangster  

2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division

CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea - Senior noncommissioned officers assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division/ ROK-U.S. Combined Division took time to host a Noncommissioned Officer Induction ceremony that recognized newly promoted NCOs assigned to the unit May 18 at the Camp Red Cloud Theater.
A group of 17 Sergeants accepted their new duties and responsibilities as each walked though the NCO arch and crossed sabers to officially becoming a part of the NCO Corps.
The NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks of a professional noncommissioned officer corps, and emphasizes and builds on the pride we all share as members of such an elite corps.
The ceremony also serves to honor the memory of those men and women of the NCO Corps who have served with pride and distinction. Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Williams, HHBN, 2ID/RUCD, introduced the guest speaker for the event, 1st Engineer Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Toby J. Kammer.
Kammer started off with reading the NCO guide and sharing some of his past experiences and successes of his career. He also pointed out four things he believed NCOs should never forget.
The first is the belief that NCOs should develop their Soldiers. Kammer believed this is what is most expected of leaders. Second, he emphasized NCOs need to enforce discipline. Kammer said NCOs spend precious time dealing with issues that are caused from lack of discipline. Third, Kammer explained that competence is important and he learned the most from having incompetent leaders. Finally, he reminded NCOs to recognize soldiers’ accomplishments. He emphasized one of the greatest things you can give your soldier is your
time.
Because an NCO induction ceremony is not mandatory, several noncommissioned officers in attendance at the ceremony never received the opportunity to be inducted to the NCO Corps such as Williams and 1st Sgt. Wayne Barker, Company B, Headquarters, Headquarters Battalion, 2ID/RUCD. “I want the NCOs to take pride in being apart of such an important accomplishment in their careers and take their duties and responsibilities serious,” said Williams. “Sergeants are the front line leaders and this ceremony makes them better equipped to train their soldiers that will contribute to the division readiness ability to fight tonight.”
Periods of the NCO induction included the HHBN Company first sergeants lighting three candles to emphasize the three parts of the NCO Creed: red for valor of the NCO, white for purity, honesty and integrity and blue for the field of honor. “Having the ceremony this year is extra special since the division commanding general named this the year of the NCO,” said Barker. “By having this ceremony, it prepares the NCO to know that they are now a leader, not a follower.”
The ceremony ended with NCOs, both on stage and in the audience, reciting the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer, and singing the 2nd
ID/RUCD and the Army Songs.


Visit the 2nd Infantry Division Flickr page for high res photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2id/.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2017
• Date Posted: 01.25.2018 00:11
• Story ID: 263165
• Location: KR