Servant Leadership -- a true backbone of the Army -- Past, Present, and Future!

By Mr. Steven P Stover (INSCOM)June 5, 2019

SPC Moorman sings the National Anthem at the 780 MI BDE NCO Induction Ceremony
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- The official party consisting of (left to right) Command Sgt. Maj. James Krog, the senior enlisted leader for the 780th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade (Cyber); Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, the keynote spe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SMA Preston keynote remarks at the 780 MI BDE NCO Induction Ceremony
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, who served as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army from January 15, 2004, to March 1, 2011, was the keynote speaker for the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) Non-Commissi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Soldiers' Request and Lighting of the Candles
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- The Soldiers' Request and Lighting of the Candles was one of the significant events of the Non-Commissioned Officer Induction Ceremony hosted by the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) for 26 recently promoted NCO... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Charge of the Non-Commissioned Officer
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- Recently promoted Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) assigned to the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) recite the Charge of the Non-Commissioned Officer, one of the significant events of the NCO Induction Ceremony... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- The 780th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade (Cyber) hosted a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Induction Ceremony for 26 recently promoted NCOs on June 3 at the Post Theater.

The keynote speaker for the event was Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, who served as the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) from January 15, 2004, to March 1, 2011. He retired as the longest-serving Sergeant Major of the Army, with more than seven years in the position.

"It was an honor having Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston help us with inducting our new NCOs into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps," said Command Sgt. Major James Krog, the 780th MI Brigade's senior enlisted leader.

Preston primarily focused on two things in his remarks to the newly inducted NCOs. First, he stated that NCOs are trainers, "they are the teachers for that portion of the Army we give them responsibility for," and the second thing he mentioned was that they should lead by example.

Preston also stated the importance of lifelong learning.

"When you look at the demands on the Army today -- particularly first-line supervisors -- and as Soldiers progress through the Army and take on positions of increased responsibility; learning never stops," said Preston. "The other piece of advice is 'lifelong learning'. It never stops. You always continue to read and do the professional development, because it is what keeps you the subject matter expert for that piece of the Army you are responsible for."

According to Krog, the NCO Induction Ceremony is an important milestone in a Soldiers career as the event signifies their transition from "being one of the followers to also being a leader."

"The Soldiers in this Cyber brigade are some of the smartest in the United States Army. It's important for them to see and experience this transition from enlisted to NCO because it shows a transformation from being one of the followers to also being a leader," said Krog. "The NCOs in this brigade need to understand they must not only be technically proficient, but they must also be leaders. The Soldiers below them need that leadership and expect that leadership."

Krog also believes NCOs are servant leaders.

"Servant leadership is a watchword for how these Soldiers should serve as NCOs in the Army," said Krog. "Every action they take as an NCO should either be taking care of their Soldiers or accomplishing the mission. I firmly believe my sole responsibility is to take care of every Soldier and Army Civilian in this brigade and I strive to do that every day."

The 780th MI Brigade and the United States Army welcome the following Soldiers into the NCO Corps:

Sgt. Jeffrey Akers, C Company (Co.), 781st MI Battalion (BN); Sgt. Sheridan Ayala-Eggestein, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Sean Brown-Reed, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Skyler Bryant, E Co., 782nd MI BN;

Sgt. Daniel Butler, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Marcner Charles, A Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Teresa Corbett, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Albert Cottam, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Justin Devenport, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Tyler Gantt, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Linda Hanstein, C Co., 781st MI BN;

Sgt. James Harris, A Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Marlee Jackson, A Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Jeffery Jento, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. David Koski, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Brandon Lee, E Co., 782nd MI BN;

Sgt. Devin Lee, D Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Michael Miano, E Co., 782nd MI BN; Sgt. Andrew Miller, A Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Joshua Peddy, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Justin Radanovic, C Co., 781st MI BN;

Staff Sgt. Jackson Rolf, E Co., 782nd MI BN; Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Schmidgall; Sgt. Jeffrey Spilker, C Co., 781st MI BN; Sgt. Derek Tien, A Co., 781st MI BN; and Sgt. Aisha Umar, D Co., 781st MI BN.