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Embracing Leadership and Tradition: U.S. Army South welcomes 13 noncommissioned officers during induction ceremony

By Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-CoxMay 31, 2024

U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) assigned to U.S. Army South and subordinate units recite the Charge of the NCO during the NCO Induction at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The NCO Charge is a scripted pact, reviewing the roles and responsibilities expected of every NCO leader. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army South hosts a noncommissioned officer (NCO) induction ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The ceremony served as a rite of passage for 13 NCOs assigned to U.S. Army South and subordinate units. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 1st Sgt. Michael Cossick, the first sergeant of Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South bestows words of knowledge upon 13 noncommissioned officers (NCOs) during the NCO induction ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The ceremony served as a rite of passage for NCOs assigned to U.S. Army South and subordinate units.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox)
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U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. 1st Class Rene Alvarado, a paralegal specialist with Headquarters Support Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, applauds as noncommissioned officers (NCOs) are announced during an NCO induction ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The ceremony served as a rite of passage for 13 NCOs assigned to U.S. Army South and subordinate units. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army South leaders attend a noncommissioned officer (NCO) induction ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The ceremony served as a rite of passage for 13 NCOs assigned to U.S. Army South and subordinate units. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL

“Be the Soldier you expect your Soldiers to be. The Soldiers you lead must see your drive to do your absolute best in all you do.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Deitra Alam, the senior enlisted advisor of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, conveyed to 13 noncommissioned officers during an NCO Induction Ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30.

“Each of you have sought personal and professional growth and have had to make sacrifices of your time and effort to make it to this point,” said Alam, beaming with pride. “It’s been a journey, but I am here to tell you it’s just the beginning.”

The NCO induction is a time-honored tradition that welcomes the newest members of the NCO Corps during a ceremony that symbolizes their change from being a follower to a leader.

U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
Pvt. Khameron Espinoza, left, an information technology specialist with 56th Signal Brigade, and Spc. William Gallagher, an intelligence analyst with 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, recite “The Soldier’s Request” during the noncommissioned officer (NCO) induction at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The Soldier’s Request symbolizes the relationship between the NCO and the Soldier, detailing what a Soldier expects from their NCO. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL

Alam stressed the importance of outstanding leadership. She explained that the investment in developing Soldiers is a time consuming, but rewarding process.

“If you sow your time sparingly, you will reap sparingly,” she explained. “If you invest frequent quality time in developing your Soldiers, they will constantly improve and accomplish more with ever increasing results.”

U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, the senior enlisted advisor of U.S. Army South, hosts a noncommissioned officer (NCO) induction ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The ceremony served as a rite of passage for 13 NCOs assigned to U.S. Army South and subordinate units. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL

The U.S. Army South Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Graves, the host of the ceremony, echoed this sentiment.

“Lead through presence and be the first to demonstrate and uphold the standards which the Army and our commanders have directed through order and regulation,” he said.

After the NCOs walked through the arch and under crossed sabers to symbolically cross the line of authority, Alam issued the NCO Charge. The newly inducted NCOs raised their right hands and recited the words denoting their acceptance of the duties and responsibilities as leaders of troops.

U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Johnny Guidry, an intelligence analyst assigned to 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, leads noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in reciting the NCO Creed during the NCO induction ceremony at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The NCO Creed is a reminder to enlisted leaders of their responsibilities and authority, it also serves as a code of conduct. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Noncommissioned officers (NCOs) assigned to U.S. Army South and subordinate units recite the Charge of the NCO during the NCO Induction at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The NCO Charge is a scripted pact, reviewing the roles and responsibilities expected of every NCO leader. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox) VIEW ORIGINAL

Next, every NCO, both former and current, recited the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer in perfect unison, serving as a constant reminder for the newly minted NCOs of their sacred responsibilities.

Alam closed with words of advice for not only the 13 newest members of the NCO Corps, but to all NCOs in attendance.

U.S. Army South hosts NCO Induction Ceremony
Command Sgt. Maj. Dietra Alam, the senior enlisted advisor of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, U.S. Army South, leads 13 noncommissioned officers in reciting the Charge of the NCO during the NCO Induction at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 30, 2024. The NCO Charge is a scripted pact, detailing the roles and responsibilities expected of every NCO leader.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Reed-Cox)
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“Be the type of leader who doesn’t have to be credited for a win, highlight the achievements of your team, have the courage to admit when you did something wrong, be ok with not being the only one with answers, and ask those you lead how you can do a better job supporting them,,” she said with conviction. “If you do these things, I am confident, you won’t be a perfect leader, but you will be outstanding!”