By Spc. KENNETH BARNET
19th Public Affairs Detachment
MANHATTAN — More than 50 Soldiers crossed the threshold from junior enlisted to
noncommissioned officer during an induction ceremony hosted by the 1st
Infantry Division at Kansas State University Alumni Center on March 23.
The ceremony, led by U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L.
Mullinax, the command sergeant major of the 1st Infantry Division and
Fort Riley, highlighted the achievement, responsibilities, and honor of
joining the corps of the noncommissioned officer.
"There must be trust which doesn't happen overnight," said Mullinax.
"With every decision you make, you must always be sincere. Take the time
to explain the 'why' to your Soldiers. Put their needs above your own;
be truly selfless."
The ceremony started with first sergeants from across the Division
lighting the "NCO" candles. These candles represent the noncommissioned
officer corps’ past, present, and future.
Staff Sgt. Jesus Espinosa, an Army internment/resettlement specialist
and drill sergeant assigned to C. Co., 701st Military Police Battalion,
14th Military Police Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, participated
in the ceremony as the Drill Sergeant on duty. He set the table of the
fallen Soldiers and led the NCOs in drill and ceremony from the start of
the ceremony and thru The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer.
"Whether it's a small or big task doesn't matter," Espinosa said. "Be
the team leader you wish you had and take care of people."
Four Soldiers took the stage to ask “The Soldier's Request” from the
newly inducted noncommissioned officers, asking for not just a boss but
leaders that will provide guidance, mentorship, leadership, and tools
required to complete the Army's mission.
Before the NCOs could walk through the NCO arch, marking their official
initiation to the NCO Corps, Mullinax issued the NCO Charge. The newly
inducted NCOs then raised their right hands and recited the words
denoting their acceptance of the duties and responsibilities of the NCO.
Then in unison, they recited the words of The Creed of the
Noncommissioned Officer.
The NCO Creed not only represents the yardstick by which NCOs can
measure themselves, but it is also a continuous reinforcement of the
values of the noncommissioned officer corps.
Following the charge and the creed, each NCO walked through an archway
beneath crossed sabers denoting their official transition from follower
to leader. In doing so, they accepted their position as mentors and role
models for those they lead.
“It’s an honor to be a part of something like this; I’ve heard of them
before but rarely seen or have known anyone to be involved. It’s really
an honor to be selected to participate in something like this,” said
Cpl. Karturriegel Eagle, an NCO inductee from 1st Division Sustainment
Brigade.
NCOs are responsible for being competent, accomplishing their mission,
and ensuring the welfare of their Soldiers. They are technically and
tactically proficient and place their Soldiers' needs above their own.
“I never experienced anything like this coming up in the Army,” Espinosa
said. “Being here and seeing the amount of attention and importance the
Big Red One is giving these new noncommissioned officers are amazing.”
Story and photos courtesy DVIDS