New sergeants within the 3rd squadron, 73rd cavalry regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division were formally recognized during a noncommissioned officer (NCO) induction ceremony at Pope Theater April 29th, on Pope Army Air Field.
Rudyard Kipling, an author, penned a poem entitled "The Eathen" in 1895. Kipling didn't know what the make-up of our military would be like in 2014, but he definitely recognized the importance and pride of a non-commissioned officer.
"The 'eathen in 'is blindness must end where 'e began," wrote Kipling. "But the backbone of the Army is the Non-commissioned Man!"
Paratroopers with the 3-73 Cavalry Regiment stood tall and looked proud during the induction ceremony. The ceremony is an age old tradition which is used to welcome brand new sergeants into the Non Commissioned Officer Corps.
The stage was set with a beautiful archway that included lighting and an impressive view of every NCO rank surrounding newly promoted Paratroopers.
CSM Sherwood Gatts, Command Sgt. Maj. of the 3-73 Cavalry regiment, called out the name of each new sergeant getting promoted.
After Gatts identified the new sergeants it was time for them to walk through the archway. Once through, the new sergeant signed the charge to the noncommissioned officer. This book details what is expected of the sergeant, by the Army and the Sergeant Majors standards.
When the sergeants were done signing the book, Gatts proceeded to welcome them into the Corps of the noncommissioned officer. He shook their hand and handed them their certificates.
SFC Noel Castillo, 3rd squadron, 73rd Cavalry regiment tasking Noncommissioned Officer in charge, says the presentation of the ceremony added to the overall feeling of accomplishment. He believes that
"The set up and the overall feeling of the ceremony was one of victory and satisfaction" said Castillo. "Victory because we are showing them that we care, that we understand and appreciated everything they do."
The induction ceremony honors newly promoted sergeants and those who have served their country with pride in the past. SGM Jose Lopez, 3-73 Operations Sergeant Maj, says the ceremony is a tradition that needs to continue and that it is a way for troops to see how much their leaders care.
"The ceremony is important" said Lopez. "This is another great opportunity for us to give young sergeants an example of how the NCO corps is supposed to be."
Once the newly promoted sergeants had crossed the stage they walked directly into a formation. After the last one had joined the formation it was time to bring the ceremony to a close.
A loud, bellowing roar commenced and continued as a room full of noncommissioned officers began to recite the NCO Creed in unison.
The NCO Creed was developed in 1973, by Sfc. Earle Brigham, as a motivational tool and a guideline for noncommissioned officers following the Vietnam era.
The words Brigham put down on paper over 40 years ago echoed in the room full of paratroopers. The newly promoted sergeants appeared to be extremely confident as they delivered the creed.
"I could see it in their eyes, the pride, and motivation when their names were called," said Castillo. "Each unit should provide their NCO's the opportunity to experience that moment of pride, and to be recognized for the milestone achievement of becoming a Noncommissioned Officer."
Castillo believes that NCO's have a bright future in the Army. He thinks it is important to continue conducting the NCO Induction Ceremony and to provide newly promoted SGT's an opportunity to be welcomed into Corps of the Noncommissioned Officer.
"Giving those newly promoted SGT's the opportunity to be inducted and recognized in front of their peers gave us hope, said Castillo. "Hope that we as NCO's will take on our challenges and take control of our institution; that we will continue to be looked upon as the Back Bone of the Army.
Social Sharing