'Gladiators' Celebrate Unit's Newest Leaders

Photo By Spc. Ryan Stroud | Sgt. Noel Reeson and Cpl. Lance Husted, both from 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, cut a cake celebrating the battalion's NCO (non-commissioned officer) Induction Ceremony, Sept. 15. The ceremony is to welcome newly-promoted NCOs and celebrate their next step as leaders.  

IRAQ

09.17.2007

Story by Spc. Ryan Stroud 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

By Spc. Ryan Stroud
3rd Brigade Combat Team
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Taking the step from junior enlisted to becoming a non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the U.S. Army is one that scares many Soldiers. Thoughts of "Am I good enough?" or "What if I do things wrong?" often enter those Soldiers' minds.

But a group of ten Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stationed in Baqouba, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, have answered the call and have earned the right to be called leaders.

These Soldiers were welcomed into the brotherhood of other NCOs with the "Gladiator" Battalion's very own NCO Induction Ceremony, Sept. 15, at Faulkenberg Theater, on Forward Operating Base Warhorse.

"Today, we conducted our 4th quarter NCO Induction Ceremony," said 1st Sgt. Harold Hall, first sergeant for Company B. "We had ten Soldiers who were officially inducted, seven sergeants and three corporals."

"It's an important ceremony because it officially recognizes the transition from the lead to a leader," Hall passionately continued. "Officially, as a corporal and a sergeant, you are a leader. It is now your duty to take care of Soldiers."

Each Soldier inducted into the NCO Corps was announced to the audience in attendance while the Soldier's sergeant announced the approval of the recommendation. The Soldiers then marched onto the stage and proudly recited the NCO creed.

After a speech was given by Hall, each Soldier was greeted by the audience as 3rd Brigade's newest NCO inductees.

"It was better than I expected," laughed Dillon McCallister, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, and a native of Colorado Springs, Colo. "It is different being recognized for something like this, but it is interesting at the same time."

"It's a time-honored thing," added Sgt. Noel Reeson, Co. B, and a native of Blanchardville, Wis.

"When you get inducted into the corps, it shows your transition from Soldier to NCO, showing people you have what it takes to lead Soldiers," she added. "When I put on the rank, I felt really good. This is a big accomplishment and a huge responsibility."

Hall said he was proud of every inductee and hoped each Soldier took at least one message from his speech.

"I think the key thing I would like these Soldiers to take from my speech was leading by example," Hall said. "All you have to do is live your life by the Army core values, the principles of leadership, the traits of leadership and the NCO creed; and passively, you are taking care of Soldiers because you are teaching them the right way to conduct yourself as a non-commissioned officer and a leader."

For Reeson and McCallister, they both admit to being up to the challenge of being an NCO and understand the responsibilities that follow.

"You learn a whole lot once you become an NCO," said Reeson. "As a (junior enlisted), you often think, 'Why are we doing this?' But as an (NCO) you finally understand why certain things need to be done. Once you're in the role of a leader, it's like everything finally becomes clear."

"Being an NCO, you have a different view of the Army and how you have to conduct yourself and what is important," added McCallister. "It's about putting yourself second, if not last, to make sure everything gets done and things are taken care of."

"I'm a new father, so this kind of goes (hand-in-hand) with (becoming an NCO)," he continued. "I'm learning about taking care of my kid, and Soldiers are also like my kids, they need help and guidance to make sure they are properly taken care of. That's what I'm here for."

• Date Taken: 09.17.2007
• Date Posted: 09.17.2007 08:03
• Story ID: 12366
• Location: IQ