Noncommissioned Officers of the 75th Fires Brigade took time to pay tribute to what is commonly referred to as, "The backbone of the Army" by hosting the brigade's first noncommissioned officer induction ceremony June 21 at Burleson Hall here.
The group of 21 inductees walked across the stage to receive a certificate recognizing them as leaders, and to make the ceremonious march through the NCO arch decorated with the ranks of corporal through command sergeant major. Sponsors introduced their inductees to welcome them into the ranks of the NCO corps.
The tradition of the induction ceremony is a way for senior NCOs to welcome newly promoted Soldiers into the ranks of the NCO corps. The ceremony also instills a sense of pride and respect in the new NCOs. It is a way to stress the significance of leading junior-enlisted Soldiers, and the responsibility that is inherited by all NCOs.
"It is important to continue the Army's tradition like the noncommissioned officer induction ceremony," said Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos Soto Bonilla, 75th Fires Brigade CSM, and host of the ceremony.
Bonilla then introduced the guest speaker, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Johndrow, former Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kan., CSM.
"What this says to me is that each of you are not led by love itself, but you are instead led by love of your country," said Johndrow. "Your Soldiers will look up to you and learn from everything that you would do."
The ceremony closed with the inductees and NCOs in the audience reciting the NCO Creed together. All then sang "The Big Red One" followed by "The Army Song."
Bonilla said the brigade plans to conduct NCO induction ceremonies twice a year.
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