The 14th Military Police Brigade held a Noncommissioned Officers Corps Induction Ceremony Friday at Abrams Theater, where the 11 Soldiers recognized were given sound advice from the top NCO on Fort Leonard Wood.
"Pay attention to what's going on in the world. Counsel your Soldiers, and be there for them whenever they need you," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Stanley, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood command sergeant major. "Know them inside and out. Know about their Families and where they are from, what their dreams and hopes are."
This was the first NCO induction ceremony in a while, according to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Weatherholt, 14th Military Police Brigade command sergeant major. He said he hopes by bringing back the tradition of inducting NCOs into the corps they can help stress the importance and professionalism that is part of being a noncommissioned officer.
"We have to start welcoming our noncommissioned officers into the corps, and do it the right way," he said. "There are individuals out there who want the rank and the pay, but don't want the responsibility. We want to make sure that our NCOs understand that there's a responsibility that comes with this, and you have to have that drive and that fire inside of you to lead Soldiers."
To qualify to participate in this ceremony, inductees must have been through the basic leader course, been promoted to sergeant and have met with Weatherholt for discussions on what it means to be a noncommissioned officer.
One inductee was honored to have the opportunity to be recognized in a formal ceremony.
"It takes a lot to get here and it's just the beginning so it's very humbling," said Sgt. Justin Lineback, 701st Military Police Battalion. "It's nice to receive the recognition of what it's taken to get to this point."
Lineback said he is working toward becoming the type of NCO he has grown to appreciate and admire in his unit.
"The NCOs that I admire most are the NCOs that lead by example. They don't have to say much, their character and their presence are profound and speak for them," he said. "They're not going to ask you to do anything that they wouldn't do and they're down in the trenches getting dirty with you. That's what I'm working on and hoping I can attain, realizing it's a constant process."
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