Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Gary Cooper | Sgt. Jenny Portillo, 595th Transportation Brigade battle staff NCO (center) receives a...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - "I struggled at first to figure out what the topic of discussion would be in today's speech," said Command Sgt. Maj. Bernard Smalls Sr., command sergeant major of the 595th Transportation Brigade. "And then it smacked me right in the face, just as I asked the question. Bam!--Leadership matters!"
Smalls addressed the audience in Camp Arifjan’s Zone One Chapel, where he served as the keynote speaker for the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony, Oct. 4th, where 40 newly promoted Sergeants belonging to 1st TSC and its subordinate units participated in this rite of passage.
"I am hoping that each one of these inductees will take something from this ceremony and put it in their kitbag," Smalls said. His speech went on to give several leadership tips to the newly minted NCOs, many of them rooted in the Army values and the NCO Creed, both of which figured prominently in the event.
The new NCOs were also informed by the symbolism of the event. Sgt. Gary Lee, a finance analyst with the 469th Financial Management Support Center, explained the meaning of the candle lighting ceremony. "The red candle represents the blood we shed, white represents purity and integrity, and the blue candle is for the wars the Army has fought across the waters of the world."
Lee considers the ceremony an initiation. "To me, the NCO induction ceremony is a milestone, a stepping stone into the NCO world; you may have already been promoted, but it's not official to me until you cross that bridge. It's an honor to be inducted into the time-honored Corps of the NCO."
Master Sgt. Paris Broderick, operations NCO for the 266th Financial Management Support Center, participated in the Walk of Values during the ceremony, carrying out the wooden "P" that finished spelling "LDRSHIP," an acronym for the Army values, on a table up on stage in front of the audience. The P stands for "Personal Courage." Far removed from her first NCO induction ceremony, the event still carried meaning for her.
"It's a transition to being an NCO. You're not just an E5, you're not just a Sergeant, you're a noncommissioned officer. When you walk under the NCO induction arch, you're passing into the life of an NCO," said Broderick. "It symbolizes a lot of pride and military heritage. I've been to three NCO induction ceremonies, and every time it renews my commitment to the Corps."
Sgt. Tamela Mayes, a dispersing analyst for the 469th Financial Management Support Center, also saw the symbolic importance of the ceremony. "Walking under the swords makes it feel official, like that's the point where you cross over and become an NCO, and take on that responsibility."
For Sgt. Mayes, calling NCOs "the backbone of the Army" sums up that responsibility. "For me the backbone symbolizes the way the mission is put together and executed by NCOs taking charge," she explained. "I think of structure, and how Soldiers have the confidence in their NCOs to accomplish anything, whether it's the mission, or solving a Soldiers' problem."
Near the conclusion of his speech, Smalls told the new NCOs that "It's okay to power down, but never off as an NCO," describing the professionalism and responsibility that the Sergeants had accepted with their new rank. From their remarks, it is clear that these new and old NCOs understand and have accepted that charge.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.06.2014 13:18 |
| Story ID: | 144387 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 230 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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