FORT SILL, Okla.- No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of Soldiers. For Soldiers who join the ranks of noncommissioned officers these words are part of a creed that personifies their new role as Leaders. First introduced in 1974 and later approved for publication in 1985 the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer offers a guideline for NCO's to live by.
On January 15th, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade hosted their own Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony. This ceremony was held to formally recognize and welcome the newly promoted noncommissioned officers into the ranks of their unit and the U.S. Army.
"We wanted to continue a tradition that has long been standing in the Army but was a distant ceremony due to ongoing war in the Middle East. Now that war is not the priority, we can get back to the basics," said Sgt. 1st Class Lucas Goupil.
"To build the corp and restore the luster of the NCO ranks with a ceremony signifying their transformation from the led to leader giving them the understanding to separate themselves from the juniors and give them the understanding they are now officially a part of the corp."
Although ceremonies like this are nothing new to the U.S. Army, it is an important part of tradition to hold these ceremonies and recognize these young leaders.
Sgt. Savannah Tolbert, one of the newly inducted NCO's to 4-3 ADA said, "To be an NCO means being able to make a difference in the lives of Soldiers; being able to be that line between the good and the bad; the standard bearer."
"To me, this ceremony is very important because of the tradition. My mother went through it, and to now go through it myself is an honor."
The noncommissioned officer is the backbone of the U.S. Army, they are where the rubber meets the road. NCO's offer Soldiers leadership, counseling and mentorship and serve as that Soldiers first line leader.
"I hope in the future, this ceremony will accomplish the mental transformation for led to leader, I hope it rebuilds the understanding in the new NCOs that there is always someone to help you accomplish the mission, other NCOs. The last thing I hope the ceremony does by holding it, I hope it gives the NCOs a sense of belonging and guides them in direction with purpose and reason," said Goupil.
With any military organization change is always a constant, but since 1775 those serving in the rank of the noncommissioned officer continue to be the unwavering and constant driving force in the U.S. Army.
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