ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – A ceremony honoring legacy, tradition, and military leadership was held Friday, March 7, 2025, at Aberdeen Proving Ground as nine noncommissioned officers (NCO) were formally inducted.
The event honored SFC Thomas Davis, SSG Jeremy Betancourt, SGT Kirsten Bell, SGT Ryan Conway, SGT Brianna Cruz, SGT Gabriel Williams, SGT Samantha Ann Pean, CPL Michael Giuffrida and CPL Noah Perez for their exemplary service and leadership. The induction, part of a series of commemorative events at the historic installation, underscored the Army’s ongoing commitment to developing its next generation of leaders.
Bell, Defense Centers of Public Health - Aberdeen, chose to become a NCO because of the leadership and mentorship she received.
Bell said, “I was inspired by the leadership and mentorship that a very few of my NCOs provided to me and encouraged me to be that example for other soldiers. I realized that becoming an NCO would allow me to guide others while contributing to something much larger than myself.”
During the ceremony, the inductees received their insignia amid formal military traditions that included the playing of the national anthem and the ceremonial transfer of the unit’s emblem. Family members and guests gathered to witness the momentous occasion, many expressing pride in the accomplishments of their loved ones.
The program featured remarks by senior officers who outlined the increased responsibilities and expectations that come with the elevated rank. The remarks emphasized that the induction is not only a personal milestone but also a reaffirmation of the Army’s core values—duty, honor, and commitment to country.
CSM Tamisha Love, Installation Management Command – Sustainment (ID-S), was the ceremony’s guest speaker. Love reflected on her early experience becoming an NCO leader and addressed the inductees saying, “I quickly learned that more was expected of me as a noncommissioned officer than just a typical leadership style of being present.”
Love added that her senior NCOs taught her how to take care of soldiers and emphasized the role each inductee has in shaping today’s soldiers.
As the event concluded, the newly inducted noncommissioned officers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and a renewed commitment to leadership. By reciting the NCO Creed, they vowed to carry forward the traditions of excellence at Aberdeen Proving Ground and to meet future challenges with resolve and professionalism.
The induction ceremony not only celebrated individual achievements but also served as a reminder of the critical role that effective leadership plays in maintaining a ready and capable fighting force.
Bell says being inducted “has broadened my awareness of the opportunity to aid in the growth and development of fellow soldiers as well as my own.”
With these inductions, the Army reinforces its commitment to fostering leaders who are prepared to navigate the complexities of an evolving global landscape.
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