FORT SILL, Okla. -- "No one is more professional than I. I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as the Backbone of the Army."

These are the opening sentences to the Army Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer, recited by every aspiring NCO and seasoned NCO in the Army.

In April the officers, NCOs and Soldiers of B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery hosted an NCO induction ceremony at Gaziantep, Turkey. It recognized 14 of the battery's newest sergeants.

About 300 Soldiers from 3-2nd ADA were deployed last December to Turkey in support of a NATO requested mission to guard the southern border of the country from air and missile threats. Since deploying, 3-2nd ADA has been busy focusing on their mission, site improvement and Soldier well-being.

"NCO induction ceremonies are a rite of passage in a Soldier's career," said Lt. Col. Charles Branson. "There is a certain metamorphosis that occurs when a Soldier leaves the junior enlisted ranks and is inducted into the NCO Corps."

The ceremony was officiated by acting Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Enoch, battalion CSM, and the commander of troops was Sgt. Maj. James Thagard. Guest speaker was Command Sgt. Maj. Gerardo Dominguez, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade CSM.

These new 3-2nd ADA NCOs literally earned their stripes during the high-profile deployment to Turkey and set the example for their Soldiers to follow.