1CD RSSB conducts NCO Induction Ceremony

The 1st Cavalry Division Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade held a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Induction Ceremony at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Dec. 17, 2016.

The NCO Induction Ceremony is a celebration of newly promoted Soldiers joining the ranks of the professional NCO Corps that emphasizes and builds on the pride NCOs share as members of such and elite Corps.

"Becoming a noncommissioned officer is more than being promoted into the NCO Corps. It's about becoming part of the backbone of the Army, setting the example for your Soldiers and taking personal responsibility for your team," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jill L. Crosby, 1st Cavalry Division Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade (1CD RSSB).

Tradition is a big part of an NCO Induction Ceremony, but more than tradition, it's something that allows the NCO to see, besides the rank change, that they have formally been inducted into a group that is very unique to the Army.

"You are an elite team of noncommissioned officers -- individuals who want to be part of something bigger than themselves," Crosby said. "This commitment will require you to sacrifice your time for others, but it will be one of the most rewarding things you ever do. You have your leadership and my attention; use that to make a difference in the Corps.

During the Induction Ceremony, the newly promoted sergeant is often sponsored by another seasoned NCO. This sponsor has a critical role to play.

"The NCO induction ceremony, for me, was an experience like none other. It made me feel like I was a part of an elite group of individuals," said Bryan Smith, 1CD RSSB.

Included in the ceremony was a table set for one. The table symbolize the frailty of each individual Soldier engaged in battle against the enemy. This table represent SFC Allan Brown and SSG John Perry, 1CD RSSB Soldiers who lost their lives in an attack on Bagram Airfield.

Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Clark, Senior Enlisted Leader for NATO's Resolute Support (RS), U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) was the guest speaker for the NCO Induction Ceremony.

"If you can take a new Soldier, a private, and walk him through the steps through the ranks of the noncommissioned officer, you have not only taken care of that Soldier, but you've already prepared that Soldier to become an NCO," said Clark.

Clark said to the NCOs getting inducted that sometimes they will make mistakes, things won't always go their way, but they will learn about themselves.

"The torch is being passed to you. You have to carry it, so run your race, Clark concluded.