Photo By Staff Sgt. Sebastian Rothwyn | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Moss, the senior enlisted advisor to the commander...... read more read more
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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Ninety Soldiers deployed to Kuwait under the command of the New York Army National Guard’s 369th Sustainment Brigade were inducted into the ranks of the non-commissioned officer corps during a February 18, 2023 ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.
This celebration, with hundreds in attendance, was a solemn affair that emphasized and built on the pride shared by all NCOs.
Three candles representing the virtues of a non-commissioned officer were lit by Sgt. Teion Middleton, a human resources sergeant assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 82nd Finance Battalion, to start the ceremony.
A red candle signifies valor, a white candle stands for purity, and a blue candle represents honor.
After the national anthem and the invocation, Master Sgt. David Ressler, the master of ceremonies spoke about how the legacy of the 369th in the 369th Infantry Regiment of World War I, stands as an example of the best of America.
The 369th Infantry was an all-Black New York National Guard unit mobilized and sent to France in World War I. But the racism in the U.S. Army at the time meant they had to fight as part of the French Army instead.
But the regiment distinguished itself and became known as the Harlem Hellfighters for their determination in battle.
Ressler spoke about one particularly bloody encounter the Harlem Hellfighters had in the Argonne Forest of France, on May 14, 1918.
Then Pvt. Henry Johnson fought off a German raid in hand-to-hand combat. Johnson was promoted to the rank of sergeant upon his return to New York City and posthumously received the Congressional Medal of Honor on June 2nd, 2015, from former President Barack Obama.
"The Sergeant operates in an environment where sparks fly,” said Sgt. Jeffrey Kemper with the 82nd. Finance.
“The sergeant can accurately be described as where the axe meets the stone,” he continued to recite. “I am that sergeant!"
Around the room, selected NCOs of increasing rank stood up to recite words that would resonate with inductees on the roles of the NCO up to the first sergeant.
"When you are talking about the first sergeant, you are talking about the lifeblood of the Army,” said 1st Sgt. Shawnta Rood, senior enlisted advisor to the commander of the 101st Human Resources Company, of the 101st Airborne Division.
“When first sergeants are exceptional, their units are exceptional, regardless of any other personality involved,” she continued to recite. “The first sergeant is proud of the unit and, understandably, wants others to be aware of the unit's success. I am that first sergeant!”
The guest speaker of the ceremony was Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Saunders of the Army Reserve’s 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
“As you raised your right hand to join the Army, you became a leader,” Saunders said. “Now you will be charged to build and shape the leaders of the future.”
The newly promoted NCO takes this charge along with upholding the traditions and standards of the Army. The inductees understand that Soldiers of lesser rank must obey their lawful orders and accordingly accept responsibility for their actions, Saunders told the audience.
“Each Soldier is a vital part of your team,” said Saunders. “As a leader, you will always be on watch; setting the tone for your organization.”
As Saunders closed his speech, he spoke about Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston’s initiative called This Is My Squad, or TIMS. The goal of the initiative is to build more cohesive teams throughout the Army.
Saunders encouraged everyone to really understand the people sitting next to them.
“The leader must ensure each member is competent, physically fit, highly trained, ready, disciplined and a part of a cohesive team,” he said.
Saunders said that leaders should listen to and understand each member, show compassion and empathy, find common ground with each member, identify risks and stressors, set the culture and motivate to always achieve success.
“Remember that you are a warrior and a member of the greatest team ever assembled,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2023 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 439479 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 101 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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