FORT DERUSSY, Hawaii - While the Army is rich in history and has many traditions, there is only one tradition that acknowledges a Soldier as he or she takes on the mantle of leadership and becomes a noncommissioned officer and that is the NCO Induction Ceremony.
Helicopters, tanks and guns placed around a historic104-year-old building makes for the backdrop, while over 20 NCOs from within the 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, continue to uphold an Army tradition and are welcomed into the NCO Corps during a NCO Induction Ceremony held March 13, in front of the U.S. Army Museum Hawaii, here.
Guest speaker, Command Sgt. Major Francis K. Citizen, senior enlisted advisor, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, stressed the importance of what the ceremony symbolized and encouraged the junior NCOs to take pride in what they have accomplished.
"I see the next generation of our Army's leaders, fully capable of being the best leaders our nation has to offer," Citizen said.
Citizen challenged the inductees to take the time every day to get to know their Soldiers and to uphold the professionalism of the Army.
"Motivate your Soldiers to stand strong by upholding the Army ethics and the Army Values," Citizen said. "Reinforce trust and inspire honorable service."
Citizen also urged the inductees to instill a sense of pride, discipline and accountability into their Soldiers.
"The true mark of our leadership is not what our Soldiers do while we are around, it's what they do when we are not around," Citizen said.
No longer a follower but a leader, inductee Sgt. Victor Andino, 558th MP Company, 728th MP Battalion, 8th MP Bde., said he was happy to be part of something that mirrored his own pride in becoming a NCO.
"I've worked hard to get here and it's an honor to be here," Andino said.
Andino echoed Citizen's advise about being accountable and said he would not only hold his Soldiers accountable, he would hold himself accountable.
"If you're doing the right thing, you can't go wrong," Andino added.
For 1st Sgt. Kelly S. Pippin, senior enlisted advisor, 552nd MP Company, 728th MP Bn., who participated in the ceremony, said it was not only about upholding a tradition, it was about inspiring the junior NCOs to be the professional leaders their Soldiers could look up to.
"We might be the backbone, but the Soldiers are the ones that help to accomplish the mission," Pippin said. "Without having Soldiers, we have no job."
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