Soldiers inducted into NCO Corps

By Special to the LeaderSeptember 9, 2009

Soldiers inducted into NCO Corps
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Soldiers inducted into NCO Corps
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Seven Soldiers with the 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment were officially inducted into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps in a ceremony Sept. 3 at Daniel Circle Chapel.

The newly-promoted Soldiers participated in a multi-faceted ceremony meant to explain to them the history of the NCO Corps, the importance of NCOs in today's Army and the responsibilities they now have as NCOs.

Command Sgt. Maj. William Huffin said the ceremony is a way to publicly acknowledge the Soldiers' promotions.

"The NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted joining the ranks of a professional Noncommissioned Officer Corps," he said. "It emphasizes and builds on the pride that we all share as members of such an elite corps."

The ceremony included a visit from NCOs of the past, present and future, who lit red, white and blue candles to symbolize the blood of Soldiers who have died for the country, the purity of the NCO and the future NCO. The Soldiers then signed their names into the NCO Corps and Huffin led them in reciting the Charge of the NCO.

Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Trescott, a ceremony organizer and mentor to one of the inductees, said it was important to uphold the tradition of the induction ceremony.

The ceremony, he said, "instills in the newly promoted Soldiers to ... always take care of their Soldiers and put their Soldiers' needs before their own."