Photo By Jared Eastman | Sgt. Russell Langnehs, assigned to Company A, 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD – There are key moments in every Soldier's career, but what could be one of the most memorable is when a Soldier is inducted into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps. For 32 Soldiers assigned to 3rd Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, that day was April 26 during a ceremony conducted in the Fallen Heroes room at Contingency Operating Station Falcon.
"Authority is defined as the right to direct Soldiers to do certain things," said Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, the senior enlisted Soldier assigned to 1st AAB, and the key speaker at the induction ceremony.
"You have authority," he said. "All too often, we look the other way when we see an act of indiscipline. No matter where the Soldiers are from, or what uniform they wear, they are U.S. Army Soldiers, and you have the authority to correct. NCO's detect, correct and make small or minor adjustments daily."
The ceremony was also an opportunity for NCO's and junior-enlisted alike to focus on the changes the Army has gone through.
"I've seen the Army take a turn for a long time—a turn for the better, if I may," said Watson. "Some people now say, 'where is the Army going?' I can tell you were it's been. The bulk of the Soldiers left Vietnam in 1975, and we know what Vietnam was like—my father was there. Six years after Vietnam we had an undisciplined NCO corps, and an undisciplined Army. I came into the military in 1981, and when I arrived at my first duty station, it was not a pleasant arrival. As you look back on Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, I want you to think about how we've been at war for seven-plus years. We live in a better Army now. We live in an Army where Soldiers have college degrees, where our leaders have college degrees. An Army where NCO's know about the mission and have genuine concern for their Soldiers, and we are getting better every day."
Watson also reminded the new NCO's what their responsibilities will be:
"A lot of people ask me, 'How do you counsel an NCO?' It's quite simple," said Watson, "The NCO Creed. If they are following the NCO Creed, then they are doing their job. As an NCO the two basic responsibilities you have are accomplishing the mission, and the welfare of your Soldiers. Officers command organizations, NCOs run organizations."
NCO-induction ceremonies are part of a time-honored tradition in the Army, which allow newly-inducted NCOs to reflect on their career history and to use those lessons in the future. It also gives senior NCOs an opportunity to impart their wisdom on the new inductees.
Watson ended his speech with a question: "If you were accused of being a Soldier or an NCO, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.29.2010 02:32 |
| Story ID: | 48861 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 197 |
| Downloads: | 168 |
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