BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The 10th Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion "Workhorse" held a noncommissioned officer induction ceremony May 18 at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation clamshell here.
The event was preceded by two days of classes and training covering military customs and courtesies, history of the NCO, troopleading procedures, time management, drill and ceremony, problem-solving skills, and duties, responsibilities and authority of the NCO.
Sgt. Jalisa Buchanan, a 10th Sustainment Brigade medic, sang the national anthem, and by Sgt. Edward A. Webb Jr., a 10th Sustainment Brigade chaplain's assistant, gave an invocation.
Red, white and blue candles were lit by 1st Sgt. Michael Ostrander, senior enlisted adviser assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th SBTB; 1st Sgt. Adrian Randall, senior enlisted adviser assigned to 10th Quartermaster Provisional Company, and 1st Sgt. Darrel Baxter, senior enlisted adviser assigned to 33rd Finance Management Company.
The red candle represented the past and the valor for which the NCO strives. The white candle represented the present as well as the purity and honesty the NCO should embrace. The blue candle represented the future as well as the vigilance and loyalty with which the NCO serves.
The honored guest and speaker at the ceremony was Command Sgt. Maj. Barry E. Maieritisch, senior enlisted adviser of support for United States Forces-Afghanistan.
"This is a time for noncommissioned officers (who) have bought into and are sold on the Army values," Maieritisch said. "We are not as loyal to each other as we should be. Soldiers can tell the difference between sergeants (who) are just going through the motions, just caring about getting promoted and those (who) really care about their Soldiers."
He counseled the NCOs to care enough to really get to know their Soldiers on a personal level.
"Being a great NCO depends on finding the right balance between the mind and the heart; between the letter of the law and understanding where a Soldier is developmentally and how to get him to the next level," he said.
He acknowledged that some Soldiers come into the Army with troubled backgrounds but challenged the audience to look inward and make the changes necessary to overcome prior inappropriate behaviors and attitudes.
"Don't let the experiences of your past deny you the blessings of the future," Maieritisch said.
In closing, Maieritisch told the audience that it is an honor and a privilege to lead and train the next generation of the Army.
"Soldiers deserve respect; they are a gift," he said.
Command Sgt. Major Mark E. Phillips, 10th SBTB senior enlisted adviser,then inducted the NCOs by delivering the Charge of the NCO. Following the NCO charge, Staff Sgt. Brandon Butler, an operations NCO assigned to HHC, 10th SBTB, led the recitation of the NCO Creed.
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Army and 10th Mountain Division songs.
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