CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq - The candles, colored the same as our nation's flag, flickered as each Soldier walked passed them and joined the Corps of Non-Commissioned Officers during a NCO Induction ceremony hosted by the 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center, here, Nov. 30.
The ceremony was held to honor those Soldiers who were recently promoted to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant.
"It's not a right to be a leader," said Command Sgt. Maj. Cassandra Redd, from Oklahoma City, Okla. "It's a privilege," she said, nodding her cavalry Stetson as she addressed the 30 plus Soldiers to be inducted.
The ceremony began with Soldiers reciting a paragraph of the NCO Creed meeting at center stage to light a candle.
As each Soldier's name was called, they were invited by Command Sgt. Maj. Redd to "cross the time-honored line and join the Corps," signifying their entry into the NCO Corps.
"I got a sense of pride and accomplishment when I was up there," said Sgt. William Wood, of Sparta, Tenn., assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a sergeant."
"It's an emotional event," says Redd. "It's here that we lay a foundation for future NCOs. This is a time-honored tradition, and it's good to bring in new Soldiers this way."
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