<b>FORT STEWART, GA </b> - Throughout the history of the United States Army, noncommissioned officers have always played a vital role in the Army structure.

In an effort to show support for the NCO Corps and to acknowledge the work NCOs contribute on a day-to-day basis, the Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren, has designated 2009 as the Year of the NCO.

In order to highlight the contributions and accomplishments of distinguished NCOs throughout the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart will be featuring distinguished NCOs who go above and beyond the call of duty.

For the 4th Brigade Combat Team, the honor continues with Staff Sgt. Kyle McKelvey, assigned to 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment.

<b>STAFF SERGEANT KYLE MCKELVEY</b>
<b>Current Position:</b> Infantry squad leader
<b>Current Unit: </b> 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
<b>Component: </b> Active Army
<b>Current Location: </b> Fort Stewart
<b>Hometown: </b> Chesnee, S.C.
<b>Years of Service: </b> 6

Being in the Army for more than six years, McKelvey's many experiences have contributed greatly to building the foundation that has allowed him to become a successful NCO.

What makes a good NCO, according to McKelvey, is the ability to listen actively and to comprehend what you are hearing from your Soldiers.

"The NCO is the backbone of the Army, just as the NCO Creed says," McKelvey said. "And once you get to that position you have that authority. And, once you made it through the ranks you learn how to not abuse that authority and how you can use it to help other Soldiers."

McKelvey said that ultimately, it is an NCO's primary job to take care of his Soldiers.
"(Soldiers) are the ones that are the Army; they're the ones that keep the Army going," McKelvey said. "Take care of (the Soldiers), and they'll take care of you in the long run."

Sergeant Matthew Lheureux, an infantryman assigned to Company B., 4/64 Armor, said the main lesson he has learned from McKelvey has been confidence in becoming an NCO.

"I started out as a (private first class) with (McKelvey) and pretty much he is the one person I have learned from the most since I have been in the Army," Lheureux said. "Anywhere from Family things outside of work to military training."

For McKelvey, he is at a high point in his military career. After recently competing and passing the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club board, an elite group for noncommissioned officers, he is slated to be inducted into the club next week.

Having only been an NCO for four years, McKelvey still has many goals he wants to accomplish during his military career.

His highest goal while in the Army is to someday become the Sergeant Major of the Army. While he strives for that goal himself, McKelvey also pushes the 10 Soldiers he is in charge of to strive for big goals too.

"I make all my Soldiers at one point in time say that they should strive to be the Sergeant Major of the Army because that is obviously as high as you can go as an enlisted Soldier," McKelvey said. "But reality (is) just to be everything I can be and everything God wants me to be in my life - whether it be Sergeant Major of the Army or whether it be a (command sergeant major) some other place."