LRMC inducts new noncommissioned officers into NCO Corps

By Marcy SanchezOctober 1, 2019

usa image
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
usa image
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

LANDSTUHL, Germany -- Since the inception of our country, congruent with the birth of the Continental Army, a Noncommissioned Officer Corps has been charged with carefully and diligently discharging the duties of the grade to which they are promoted and upholding the traditions and standards of the Army.

On Sept. 20, 11 Soldiers from across the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center footprint vowed to take on those duties as they were inducted into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps.

As the ceremony kicked off, junior Soldiers and Airmen performed "A Soldier's Request," a traditional part of the ceremony where requests are made for the welfare, respect, discipline and training of the junior service members.

"What is a sergeant?" asked Sgt. Maj. Louise Drumm, guest speaker during the ceremony and chief clinical noncommissioned officer in charge at LRMC. "A sergeant is not in command, but [still] leads. To command is to give an order for subordinates to obey, [but] to lead is to ensure understanding, to guide and to be right there along with your Soldiers to ensure the mission is accomplished."

The ceremony included a presentation of past uniforms, from the Continental Army's blue coats to the modern Operational Camouflage Pattern, and detailed the conflicts NCOs have engaged in since the nation's beginning.

Drumm also advised Soldiers to practice seeing things through their Soldiers' eyes and be better understanding of the impact of leadership.

While NCO roles traditionally consisted of maintaining order and discipline within a unit, those roles have expanded with today's NCOs to include caring for the welfare of Soldiers. With more than half of all enlisted Army personnel positioned in the grades of E1 through E4 -- the population NCOs directly lead - it is apparent the role has become significant to overall readiness.

Former Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey once outlined 10 leadership tips for effective NCOs detailing ways to become more involved in junior Soldiers lives and increase approachability. Approachability is incorporated in the Army's fight against suicide, encouraging leaders to be available, accessible and approachable.

"Lead with both your brains and your heart and Soldiers now and in the future will reap the benefits of the leadership you provide," concluded Drumm.

Newly inducted NCOs were welcomed to the NCO Corps with an individual march under arched sabers indicating a change in the mindset as Army leaders. The induction ended with a recital of the NCO Creed by all NCOs in attendance, a doctrine reflecting the duties, characteristics and expectations of Army noncommissioned officers.