Photo By Sgt. Bailey Kramer | Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Devens, Cape Coral, Fla. native, the most senior enlisted...... read more read more
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COS KALSU, Iraq – “The goal of the corps of [non-commissioned officers], whose duty is the day-to-day business of running the Army so that the officer corps has time to command it, is to continue to improve our Army at every turn. We want to leave it better than we found it.”
These words about the NCO Corps were said by the fifth sergeant major of the Army, Sgt. Maj. of the Army William Bainbridge.
Every month, soldiers are promoted into the NCO ranks, and the 115th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division wanted to celebrate these soldiers by holding a NCO Induction Board at the chapel, here, Oct. 24.
The tradition of commemorating these soldiers into the ranks of the non-commissioned officer can be traced to the Army of Fredrick the Great.
As the story of the original NCO inductions was read, the lights in the chapel dimmed.
Before a soldier could be recognized in full status of an NCO he was required to stand four watches, one every four days. Each day a different soldier would arrive to receive a gift from the
NCO pulling guard.
Although the rites of passage have become less extensive, they have not lost their importance.
“Today we commemorate this rite of passage as a celebration of the newly promoted sergeants joining the ranks of a professional non-commissioned officer corps and further emphasize and build upon the pride we all share as members of such an elite corps,” the ceremony’s narrator explained.
The ceremony continued with guest speaker, Cape Coral, Fla. native, Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Devens.
“You are now part of an ‘elite’ group known as the ‘Backbone of the Army’,” said Devens, the command sergeant major of the 25th Infantry Division.
As the NCO Creed concludes, “I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, non-commissioned officers … leaders!”
“I am very proud of what I have done, and where I have gone,” Cpl. Derian Moore, assigned to Company A of the Muleskinner Battalion.
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2011 08:21 |
| Story ID: | 79170 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING STATION KALSU, IQ |
| Web Views: | 204 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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