FORT SILL, Okla.-- Instructor Staff Sgt. Sheila Diaz said when she became a sergeant she wanted to train Soldiers. She knew the kind of Soldier the Army needed and wanted to help mold those Soldiers.
"I love teaching," said Diaz, who teaches the Patriot (missile) Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer course (MOS 14E) here, "I think the best part is when I send them off on graduation day knowing that they're going to their unit, and they are going to be good Soldiers."
Diaz was one of about 50 instructors from the 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery, who participated in the unit's first instructor corps induction ceremony Friday at Sheridan Road Theater.
"Instructors are the core of what we do," said Lt. Col. Elizabeth Smith, 3-6th ADA commander. The instructors serve not only to teach the Soldiers about their particular military occupational specialty, but they also serve as one of the first examples of how a unit runs after basic combat training.
The 3-6th ADA has 143 instructors comprised of enlisted, warrant officer and civilian educators, said Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Eagan, 3-6th ADA CSM. They teach the Patriot Launching Station Enhanced Operator/Maintainer course (MOS 14T), 14E course, warrant officer basic and advanced courses, and Patriot master gunnery course to enlisted Soldiers, warrant officers and allied students.
The ceremony was a reflection of the 3-6th ADA, the "Bear the Standard" battalion, getting back to the basics with a traditional Army ceremony, Eagan said. The activities included a remembrance of fallen Soldiers and a history of the ADA branch. It culminated with the educators citing the instructor's creed together and each one receiving a framed copy of the creed from 3-6th ADA leaders.
Dozens of students from the various 3-6th ADA courses attended the ceremony. The event was dedicated to the late retired Lt. Gen. John Costello, who was an honorable, dedicated, visionary leader in the air defense community, according to the ceremony program.
"It's nice to be recognized for all the hard training that we've had to put in to become an instructor," said civilian Brian Stipe, a retired first sergeant.
During the ceremony, three leaders from the unit spoke about the warrant officer, enlisted and civilian instructor forces respectively.
Smith talked about the role of warrant officer instructors and how they understand the implications of their instruction.
In today's Army of limited budgets, equipment and Soldiers, and yet more missions, two things remain unwavering with instructors: "The dedication our instructors have to producing the best Soldier possible without complaint, and the pride they feel at graduation when they see the results of their efforts," Smith said.
"We are fortunate to have within our ranks a group of steadfast experts, who not only have become the best in their field, but who throughout their careers have used those skills to affect others," she said.
Eagan said the sergeant instructor is the first-line leader executing day-to-day operations with provision, precision -- whenever and where ever duty calls. "NCOs make it happen," he said.
"Our sergeants are the core of this institutional culture that teaches tomorrow's leaders things like military drill, warrior task and battle drills ... and so many more things," Eagan said.
Senior civilian instructor James Jones, a retired first sergeant, recited the Army Civilian Core Creed: "I provide stability and continuity through war and peace." That excerpt perfectly describes instructors, he said.
He noted that virtually all of the civilian instructors are Army veterans and that many are retirees.
"Civilian instructors bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the training environment," Jones said. "They are dedicated and motivated to train students."
Staff Sgt. Martinis Butler, 14E instructor, was one of the educators who was honored.
"The ceremony shows the unity and bond between the civilian and green-suiter instructors," Butler said. "It also highlights our job to the students."
Student Pvt. Robert Whilden, 20, B Battery, 3-6th ADA, sat with his classmates from 14E Class No. 01-11.
"It was very beneficial to hear the instructors say their creed, as well as hear the Soldier's Creed," said Whilden, who graduated Wednesday. "It was a great ceremony."
Eagan said the 3-6th ADA plans to do an instructor induction ceremony about twice a year to induct new instructors who have come on board.
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