(FORT SAM HOUSTON - Texas) Before an audience filled to capacity with Soldiers, Family members and civilians at the Army Community Service auditorium, Installation Management Command-West set aside an hour, April 10 to pay tribute to the noncommissioned officer, the backbone of the Army.
Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Braddock, command sergeant major, IMCOM-West, opened the ceremony by thanking the audience for their presence helping IMCOM-West celebrate the Year of the NCO.
Braddock said when IMCOM-West looked at celebrating the year of the noncommissioned officer, the importance that he wanted to reflect was that the noncommissioned officer from the birth of the nation has always been on call.
The ceremony began with tracing the history of the NCO, beginning during the American Revolution, through World Wars I and II, the Korean and Vietnam War to the global war on terrorism and various present campaigns.
As the lights dimmed in the auditorium, the audience watched while Soldiers entered the stage dressed in a variety of Army uniforms from different periods in history.
The room was filled with emotion as three NCOs, dressed in the Army Service Uniform walked slowly through the crowd, each reciting a segment of the NCO creed; their voices filled the room with conviction and pride.
For centuries, NCOs have been accomplishing the mission, ensuring the welfare of their Soldiers, and leading troops into battle, embodying these very words of the NCO creed, "Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind - accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers."
Keynote speaker Randall Robinson, director, IMCOM-West, opened his speech with a quote from the NCO's creed "No one is more professional than I." Robinson said, "Those words are more than a collection of words, it is a promise and pledge. It is a promise each noncommissioned officer makes to themselves and the people of the United States of America that they will do whatever it takes to attain and maintain the highest military standards..."
"This ceremony didn't just represent the past and present noncommissioned officers; it represented a voice of the noncommissioned officers that can no longer speak because they have paid the ultimate sacrifice. These NCOs today, in their own way are paying tribute to those who have paid the highest cost that a NCO can pay. I wanted to send a message to the audience that the NCO doesn't ask for much they do a lot ... they give everything they can because they believe in what they are doing, because they believe in the corps... and we will always be on watch," said Braddock.
"I think it is wonderful that the Army leadership, the secretary and the chief of staff of the Army felt it important enough to dedicate this year to the noncommissioned officer, and with that, it affords us a better opportunity, with the support of all Army leaders to get the word out to the workforce exactly what the noncommissioned officer does," Robinson said.
"The ceremony was very well and professionally done. Here at Headquarters, Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison, 97 percent of us here are on a compassionate assignment, they (Soldiers) still have the determination and dedication to put a professional program out there," said Sgt. 1st Class James Peregory, 1st platoon, platoon sergeant, Headquarters, Headquarters Company USAG. "It was a long time coming."
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Col. Mary Garr, U.S. Army Garrison commander said, "It was a really outstanding ceremony to trace the history of the noncommissioned officer from our early days as a nation until today, and on the importance of recognizing the NCO. In past times we didn't always appreciate their value as a noncommissioned officer, we did not invest in them appropriately or give them the scope of responsibility that they really can and should be carrying... Now, because of the value of the noncommissioned officer, and because of our investing in them in terms of training, education and developmental experience, they are the reason why the U.S. Army is absolutely the best Army in the world."
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