Support battalion celebrates year of the NCO

Courtesy Photo | The senior enlisted Soldier of the 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Merritt, a native of Rockville, Md., stands tall as he begins the induction ceremony of newly promoted sergeants throughout his battalion. Command Sgt. Maj. Merritt said that, "Inducting these fine Soldiers into the NCO corps while down range is a very memorable occasion. Because we are deployed, this time-honored tradition formally marking the passage of a Soldier into the NCO corps is of greater importance."  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.11.2009

Courtesy Story

10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — "No one is more professional than I. I am a non-commissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a non-commissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as 'The Backbone of the Army'."

Newly promoted NCOs of the 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, held their heads high with pride as they repeated the NCO Creed during the start of the 398th CSSB's NCO Induction on June 2.

Twenty-two Soldiers from units under the 398th CSSB were inducted into the NCO Corps. These Soldiers received guidance and words of encouragement from first sergeants and command sergeants major, who fall directly in their chain of command.

Command Sgt. Maj. Allen G. Fritzsching, the 10th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major and Houston native, was selected as the honorary speaker during the ceremony.

"It is an honor and a privilege to have this opportunity to share some thoughts, leader to leader, sergeant to sergeant, about your new role as a non-commissioned officer. Our service members are truly the best Warriors our great nation has to offer and our Army has ever had," said Fritzsching.

Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Merritt, a Rockville, Md., native, and the senior enlisted Soldier of the 398th, believes "these sergeants joining our NCO Corps are the best that the U.S. Army has ever had. They are working with highly advanced equipment, supervising four to 12 Soldiers, working independently with their squads away from the command elements on numerous austere remote sites. I feel proud and fortunate that these Soldiers have recognized and accepted the responsibility of being leaders of Soldiers."

Sgt. Kevin Powers, a native of Stone Mountain, Ga., and an inductee from the 503rd Maintenance Company said, "I am very proud to be a part of this honored corps. Plus, to have the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the 10th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major in here to induct us is a day I will never forget."

In closing, Fritzsching said, "I am especially proud of the technical skills and outstanding leadership I see in our non-commissioned officers. The 10th SBDE NCO Corps has raised the bar of excellence. Every Soldier has a sergeant and all a Soldier ever needs is one good sergeant. NCOs lead the way! Supporting the climb!"

• Date Taken: 06.11.2009
• Date Posted: 06.11.2009 09:02
• Story ID: 34883
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ