FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- A class of 113 noncommissioned officers graduated from the NCO Academy during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum March 4.
Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Mitchell, NCOA commandant, said the graduating class represented some of the best NCOs he had ever worked with.
"They've been great from day one," he said. "It truly is a team effort at the NCOA. The graduates represent the very best of the Aviation Branch and the Army."
Mitchell said the training the NCOA graduates went through was never physically or mentally easy, but they all "met the standard for NCO performance."
"Their training consisted of long days and, for some, a six-day-a-week training schedule," he said. "The purpose was to complete the training as quickly as possible and get them back to their units and Families. Over the last several weeks, their leadership abilities, technical knowledge and tactical skills were tested on a daily basis. This was to ensure they were prepared to mentor, train and lead our great Soldiers while serving at their current and future positions of responsibilities."
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert McGraw, 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment and event guest speaker, said the current generation of active-duty Soldiers have been asked to take on a larger task than any Army in the history of the U.S. military.
"The Soldiers you see before you have been at war for longer than any other time in this country's history," he said. "They have continued to volunteer to be here. There's not one single Soldier here who was drafted. They take great pride in what they do. They are the greatest generation of Soldiers this country or any other has ever produced."
The graduation ceremony also marked the first time the NCOA Senior Leadership Course Writing Award had been presented. The award was presented to Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Carson, B Company, 76th Brigade, Special Troops Battalion, Fort Bragg, N.C.
Other awards included:
Sgt. 1st Class William T. Butts Leadership award - Staff Sgt. Michael Worley, Headquarters and Headquarters Command, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
Command Sgt. Maj. Fredy Finch Leadership award - Sgt. 1st Class Rafael Lopez, D Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
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