MANHATTAN, Kansas – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III and Command Sgt. Maj. Derek Noyes, command team of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, hosted a ball culminating a yearlong campaign honoring the essential role noncommissioned officers play in the United States Military, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, Kansas, Dec. 14, 2023.
The role of the modern American NCO, as the event’s guest speaker Sgt. Maj. of the Army (retired) Daniel A. Dailey said in his speech, has been molded through the advent of war throughout the country's history, and includes vast duties, responsibilities and authorities.
“We win because we have a noncommissioned officer corps that trains Soldiers to standard, enforces those standards, and holds everybody accountable, from private to major general, throughout this division,” said Meyer. “The noncommissioned officer runs the United States Army.”
Known as the backbone of the Army, NCOs are responsible for the care and training of Soldiers. They have played a pivotal role in every conflict since the founding of the U.S. Army, and are a paramount fixture in every American military victory from Gettysburg to Normandy, and beyond.
The bedrock of the Corps of noncommissioned officers was built during the American Revolution and the appointing of Baron von Steuben as Inspector General of the Army in 1778, who standardized the duties and responsibilities of the NCO by creating the regulation of the order and discipline of the troops.
“Ladies and gentlemen, what you have accomplished here at the Big Red One is not just another campaign with a nice banner and a few events,” said Dailey. “What you have done is sent a message; a clear message to our officer corps and all those who lead this great army, that the trust between us and them is a sacred bond that cannot be broken.”
“What you have done is sent a clear message that the United States Army will continue to do what it’s supposed to do regardless of their allegiance to anything outside what our common cause is, that is to defend the Constitution of the United States of America.”
With the close of the Year of the NCO begins the Year of Victory, the next chapter in the ongoing effort to recount the history of the Big Red One and recognize its victorious past, while honoring former and current Soldiers, as it develops future leaders.
The division will focus on sending accomplished Soldiers to compete in Army wide competitions in order to build camaraderie amongst the ranks. Milestones for the Year of Victory will include the 80th D-Day Anniversary Ceremony and the Victory Week celebration, as well as ongoing guest speaker and leadership professional development opportunities.
1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley news release