Soldiers transition from follower to leader at NCO Induction Ceremony

By Mr. John Brooks (Army Medicine)December 15, 2017

NCO Induction Ceremony
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – After a Soldier achieves the rank of a Noncommissioned Officer at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, they are symbolically inducted into the NCO Corps during a ceremony called the NCO Induction Ceremony. This ceremony is a celebration of t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NCO Inductees
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – After a Soldier achieves the rank of a Noncommissioned Officer at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, they are symbolically inducted into the NCO Corps during a ceremony called the NCO Induction Ceremony. This ceremony is a celebration of t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Sixteen General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital noncommissioned officers were inducted into the NCO Corps Friday, Dec. 8, during a ceremony at the Engineer Museum on Fort Leonard Wood.

"This ceremony is a celebration of the accomplishment of our new NCOs," said Garrison Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Larry H. Orvis Jr., the event's guest speaker. "These Soldiers have demonstrated that they possess the qualities and leadership to perform at this level. This ceremony symbolizes the transition from follower to leader."

During the ceremony, a red, a white, and a blue candle were lit symbolizing valor, purity and perseverance, respectively.

"Who will sponsor this Soldier into the corps?" asked GLWACH Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Peter Perkins, as each candidate's name was called by the narrator.

An NCO from the audience responded confirming sponsorship for each Soldier and introducing them to the assembly by stating where the candidate was born and a few things about them.

"Sergeant, step forward and be inducted," responded Perkins, and each candidate stepped through an ornate ceremonial arch to sign GLWACH's NCO Induction Ledger. Then, each was personally welcomed into the corps by Orvis, Perkins, and Medical Company First Sergeant, 1st Sgt. John Allen.

The ceremony concluded with Perkins issuing the Charge of the NCO to the new inductees.

"I will discharge carefully and diligently the duties of the grade to which I have been promoted," Perkins began, his right hand raised, as the group of inductees repeated together; right hands raised in response.

GLWACH's Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Environmental Health, Sgt. Jeremy Stempowski, said he enjoyed being among the inductees.

"It was definitely an honor to be inducted," Stempowski said. "To have the Garrison Command Sergeant Major, our Command Sergeant Major, and our First Sergeant there, it felt like I was officially being welcomed into the corps of noncommissioned officers."

The ceremony is a tradition and not a requirement.

"Not all units conduct them," said Master Sgt. John Rehbein, Deputy NCOIC for the Deputy Commander for Nursing and Hospital Services. "There is a change in responsibilities and duties from junior enlisted to NCO and the ceremony builds on that transition and highlights the importance of their new role in developing Soldiers."

The Army has set apart its NCOs from other enlisted Soldiers since 1775 using a distinctive insignia of grade. With more than 200 years of service, the U.S. Army's NCO Corps has distinguished itself as a unique and accomplished group of military professionals.

(Editor's note: John Brooks is the marketing specialist at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital)