113th Sustainment Brigade hosts NCO Induction Ceremony

By Maj. Matthew DevivoSeptember 6, 2012

113th Sustainment Brigade hosts NCO induction ceremony
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 113th Sustainment Brigade hosted a non-commissioned officers' induction ceremony here June 7 for 63 new sergeants. The ceremony was attended by command sergeants major from across Camp Arifjan and more than 200 guests watched as the soldiers were... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
113th Sustainment Brigade hosts NCO induction ceremony
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Each new sergeant was "sponsored," or announced, by their unit's first sergeant. After being sponsored, the new sergeants walked through a ceremonial NCO corps archway and crossed the line of authority, where they were met by battalion command sergea... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
113th Sustainment Brigade hosts NCO induction ceremony
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The 113th Sustainment Brigade hosted a noncommissioned officers induction ceremony here June 7 for 63 new sergeants.

The ceremony was attended by command sergeants major from the brigade and its higher commands. More than 200 guests watched as the soldiers were welcomed into the ranks of the NCO corps.

The guest speaker for the ceremony was Command Sgt. Maj. Charles M. Tobin of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command. Tobin did not use the lectern provided on stage; instead, giving the ceremony a more personal feel, moved closer to the audience and spoke directly to the inductees about what it means to be an NCO.

Tobin, in his 30th year of Army service, mentioned a conversation he recently had with his son, a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy. The command sergeant major's son asked for advice on how to be the best officer possible once he officially enters the Army.

"I told my son that when you get to your first duty assignment, the Army will provide you with an NCO," said Tobin. "And to listen to and learn from that sergeant."

First Sgt. Carly Tanner of the 113th Special Troops Battalion had 23 soldiers inducted into the NCO corps at the ceremony.

"This moment is very symbolic for us, the senior NCOs, and for the new NCOs here," said Tanner. "Once a soldier pins on the stripes of a sergeant, he or she is expected to lead, train, mentor, and care for their soldiers. It is a big responsibility and this ceremony explains the significance of their new rank and what is expected of them and all NCOs."

The ceremony was led by Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Scott, of the 113th Special Troops Battalion, who said it was a very important milestone in the new sergeants' careers.

"The tradition of the induction ceremony into the NCO corps is one way that we, as senior NCOs, can let a newly-promoted sergeant feel the magic that we felt when we were in their boots," Scott said. "The ceremony allows us to instill in that soldier the significance of being an NCO, and also gives them their first experience of the pride and respect that goes along with being a member of the NCO corps."

The final event in the hour-long ceremony was the sponsorship of each new NCO. Each new sergeant was "sponsored," or announced, by their unit's first sergeant. After being sponsored, the new sergeants walked through a ceremonial NCO corps archway and crossed the line of authority, where they were met by battalion command sergeants major and handed a copy of the NCO Creed, the Charge of the NCO signed by their first sergeant, and an informational NCO leadership compact disk. The new NCO corps inductees then recited the NCO Creed in unison.

Scott spoke directly to the new NCOs at the close of the ceremony, telling them to honor the corps every day in and out of uniform, to continue to be the backbone of the Army, and to train and lead the next generation of American soldiers.