Courtesy Photo | CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Newly promoted sergeants of the 62nd Eng. Bn. prepare to be...... read more read more
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Despite being mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Soldiers of Multi-National Division-Baghdad's 62nd Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade, weren't about to allow their 22 newly-promoted sergeants to miss having a non commissioned officer induction ceremony " a popular rite of passage for those transitioning from followers to leaders.
Although the battalion's April 13 NCO induction ceremony didn't possess all the pomp and circumstance of those held outside a war zone, the inductees" were proud and eager to commemorate the giant step in their enlisted careers.
"The ceremony definitely brings a lot of pride to the Soldiers participating. It is the result and recognition of all the hard work and sacrifice a Soldier must endure to transition to a leader. This is recognition for the hard work as well as a time to focus on the challenges that lie ahead of them as NCOs," said Sgt. 1st Class Jonas Boggess, a direct support non-commissioned officer-in-charge with the 68th Engineer Company, 62nd Eng. Bn. and the ceremony's narrator.
The commemoration of the passing of a Soldier to an NCO can be traced to the army of Frederick the Great, said Burgess, to the NCOs and ceremony attendees, adding that the ceremony's traditional elements are intended to honor and inspire pride in Soldiers joining the ranks of the professional NCO Corps. The ceremony also honored the memory of those NCOs who have served with distinction and pride.
In recognition of their Engineer Corps heritage and their current Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment at Camp Liberty, the battalion's Soldiers honored the memory and service of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Smith, a fellow engineer who was killed in action April 2003, when his platoon came under attack near the Baghdad airport.
An induction not only honors the newest NCOs, but also provides senior NCOs an opportunity to provide mentorship. The ceremony's guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Riley, 16th Eng. Bde., encouraged the new NCOs to take their new roles seriously because they are responsible for the safety, training and welfare of their soldiers.
"Once you are an NCO, you have a leadership responsibility and accountability for other enlisted Soldiers. As an NCO, you have accepted the challenge and the responsibility for the development and mentoring of future backbones of the Army. I encourage you to take the time to coach, teach and mentor," he said.
He emphasized their new roles would require a firm commitment to the army values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, and also to the time-honored traditions of the NCO Corps.
"Your days are going to get longer â?¦ but the satisfaction in knowing you are teaching and helping your Soldiers is a very rewarding experience, he added.
Sgt. Samuel Cox had the distinct honor of leading the inductees in the recital of the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer.
Participating in the ceremony held special meaning for him and was a renewal of his commitment as an NCO and a Soldier, after his brother, Capt. Simon Cox, of Company B, 1st Bn., 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was killed in action February 2 by an improvised-explosive device near Taji, said Cox, a resident of Arlington, Texas, and construction equipment operator for the 68th Eng. Co, 62nd Eng. Bn.
"I am who I am today because of my brother. If I just gave up when he died, I would be giving up the Corps and the hard work I did to get here," he said. "The ceremony makes me the NCO I am today. Every NCO that wears stripes needs to live and honor the creed."
Boggess, a native of Shertz, Texas, said he also felt the strongly about the ceremony's importance to all NCOs.
"It gives me time to remember when I was in that position, the pride in myself and the appreciation for the opportunity to be part of something so important. The ceremony reaffirms my own commitment," he said.
Inductee Sgt. Christopher Vestor, a team leader in Co. B, 62nd Engr. Bn, said he is eager to accept the leadership responsibility presented in the NCO Creed.
"I'm ready to accept the challenge and opportunity of leading Soldiers and working around any problems they might have. As an NCO, I hope to train them to the best of my ability to successfully fight for our nation," said Vestor.
Sgt. Tomas Cox, a Team Leader in the battalion's Headquarters Spt. Co., had similar goals for himself as a new sergeant and offered a word of thanks for lessons he learned while serving under many NCOs who went beyond the call of duty.
"When I joined the Army, I was homeless. From my NCOs and mentors, I've learned the importance of responsibility and not to give up. I hope to use those lessons to train my Soldiers to the standard and to make sure they feel like a valuable member of our team." he said.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2006 09:11 |
| Story ID: | 6371 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 208 |
| Downloads: | 46 |
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