<b> FORT STEWART, Ga. </b> Aca,!" A noncommissioned officer is known as "the backbone of the Army."

According to WebMD, the backbone of any animal is the central support of the entire body.

"That entails and means a lot," said Command Sgt. Maj. Clifton Johnson, the 3rd Sustainment Brigade\'s command sergeant major, and the guest speaker at the 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion NCO Induction Ceremony, May 8.

"A time-honored corps, that's what it's all about. We've been doing this thing for 250 years."

Approximately 35 Soldiers in the 87th CSSB were inducted into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps during the ceremony.

The induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks of a professional noncommissioned officer corps, and emphasizes and builds on the pride members share of such an elite corps.

"You have to embrace this thing," said Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson, who's been a noncommissioned officer for 26 years. "Be proud to be a noncommissioned officer. Square your shoulders back. Know that there is not a greater honor in the Army than being a noncommissioned officer."

Command Sergeant Major Johnson said there was nothing in the world that he would rather be. Before he left, he gave the newly inducted members a bit of "growing advice."

"You can never compromise the values of the NCO Corps," said Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson. "It's deeds, not words, that make the difference. You have to make the hard right rather than the easy wrong. When you read and recite the creed, make it more than just words to you. That is what a noncommissioned officer is all about."