Apr 06, 2023

1ID welcomes new NCOs during induction ceremony

Posted Apr 06, 2023 11:00 AM
U.S. Army Sgt. Lauren Michelsen, an aviation operations specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, recites the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer during a NCO induction ceremony at Kansas State Alumni Center in Manhattan on March 23. Michelson, along with other 1st Inf. Div. NCO inductees said the charge to symbolize their ceremonious introduction into the corps of the noncommissioned officer. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)
U.S. Army Sgt. Lauren Michelsen, an aviation operations specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, recites the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer during a NCO induction ceremony at Kansas State Alumni Center in Manhattan on March 23. Michelson, along with other 1st Inf. Div. NCO inductees said the charge to symbolize their ceremonious introduction into the corps of the noncommissioned officer. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)

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."

 U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Staff Sgt. Jesus Espinosa, an Army internment/resettlement specialist assigned to Charlie Company, 701st Military Police Battalion, 14th Military Police Brigade, displays the symbols of the “Fallen Soldier Table” during a NCO induction ceremony at Kansas State Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. Espinosa attended the event as a guest, preparing the newly inducted NCOs and participating in the tradition of the “Fallen Soldier Table”. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)
U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Staff Sgt. Jesus Espinosa, an Army internment/resettlement specialist assigned to Charlie Company, 701st Military Police Battalion, 14th Military Police Brigade, displays the symbols of the “Fallen Soldier Table” during a NCO induction ceremony at Kansas State Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. Espinosa attended the event as a guest, preparing the newly inducted NCOs and participating in the tradition of the “Fallen Soldier Table”. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)

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.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the command sergeant major of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, speaks about the importance of leadership and the Army's noncommissioned officer corps during a NCO Induction Ceremony at the Kansas State University Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. More than 50 1st Inf. Div. noncommissioned officers were ceremoniously inducted into the corps of noncommissioned officers following Mullinax leading them in reciting the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the command sergeant major of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, speaks about the importance of leadership and the Army's noncommissioned officer corps during a NCO Induction Ceremony at the Kansas State University Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. More than 50 1st Inf. Div. noncommissioned officers were ceremoniously inducted into the corps of noncommissioned officers following Mullinax leading them in reciting the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officer. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)

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.

U.S. Army Sgt. Alvin Conley, a public affairs mass communications specialist assigned to 19th Public Affairs Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, 1st Inf. Div., participates in a NCO induction ceremony at the Kansas State University Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. Over 50 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers were ceremoniously inducted into the Army's NCO Corps following the reciting of the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)
U.S. Army Sgt. Alvin Conley, a public affairs mass communications specialist assigned to 19th Public Affairs Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, 1st Inf. Div., participates in a NCO induction ceremony at the Kansas State University Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. Over 50 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers were ceremoniously inducted into the Army's NCO Corps following the reciting of the Charge to the Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officers. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)

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.”             

U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Staff Sgt. Jesus Espinosa, an Army internment/resettlement specialist assigned to Charlie Company, 701st Military Police Battalion, 14th Military Police Brigade, displays the “Fallen Soldier Table” during a NCO induction ceremony at the Kansas State University Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. Espinosa attended the event as a guest, preparing the newly inducted NCOs and participating in the tradition of the “Fallen Soldier Table”. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)
U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Staff Sgt. Jesus Espinosa, an Army internment/resettlement specialist assigned to Charlie Company, 701st Military Police Battalion, 14th Military Police Brigade, displays the “Fallen Soldier Table” during a NCO induction ceremony at the Kansas State University Alumni Center in Manhattan, Kansas, March 23, 2023. Espinosa attended the event as a guest, preparing the newly inducted NCOs and participating in the tradition of the “Fallen Soldier Table”. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kenneth Barnet)

Story and photos courtesy DVIDS