The journey to becoming a noncommissioned officer is often a long and arduous journey. For the recently promoted noncommissioned officers of the 10th Division Sustainment Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, a figurative weight was lifted off their shoulders, Sept. 14, as they passed through the NCO arch inducting them into the Corp of the Noncommissioned Officer.
The ceremony, held at the installation's Multi-Purpose Auditorium, is used to uphold the tradition of excellence that comes with the position of an NCO. Recognizing 35 NCOs were the friends, Families, and leaders of the individuals.
“Those that understand what the NCO corps does pays that service right back in full. It's what makes the difference in our Army versus every other army in the world,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Thompson, IV, the command sergeant major for the 10th Mountain Division Artillery and guest speaker for the ceremony. “That's what makes our Army the greatest Army in the world, is our noncommissioned officers.”
The ceremony culminated as the newly promoted NCOs walked through an arch that had all NCO insignias displayed on it. As each individual walked through the arch, they were greeted by Thompson, who presented them with a framed certificate with the NCO Creed. After all inductees passed through the arch and made it back to their seats, all NCOs in the auditorium recited the NCO Creed.
Cpl. David Lewis, II, one of the NCOs who took part in the ceremony and a Soldier in the 226th Signal Company, 10th DSTB, said he reminisced on his time as a junior Soldier as he walked through the arch.
“Walking through the archway, it felt great,” said Lewis. “It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders,” and that it made him appreciate where he is now and how much work he has had to put in to get there.
Thompson closed the ceremony by reminding the NCOs in the audience not to have the fear of failure stop them from developing their own leadership style.
“Remember this, ladies and gentlemen if there is a test, there is an answer,” he said.
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