Battalion holds final NCO Induction ceremony in Iraq

Photo By Sgt. Keith Anderson | Soldiers from the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion execute an "about, face," after reciting "A Soldier's Request" during the 17th CSSB non-commissioned officer induction at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center, Sept. 22, 2008. The ceremony was the last NCO induction in Iraq for the "Lions" battalion from Fort Richardson, Alaska, who will formerly end a 15-month deployment here with a transfer of authority ceremony with the 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Tennessee Army National Guard, at Lion Memorial Field, Oct. 4, 2008.  

QAYYARAH, IRAQ

09.22.2008

Courtesy Story

16th Sustainment Brigade

By the 16th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq — The 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion held its second and final non-commissioned officer induction ceremony in Iraq to honor 44 NCOs at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center Sept. 22, 2008.

After a presentation entitled "The NCO Watch," where the new NCOs learned about the tradition of commemorating the passing of a Soldier to a NCO — a tradition dating back to Frederick the Great — and another presentation, "Boots of an NCO," the inductees heard "A Soldier's Request."

Guest speaker Command Sgt. Major Willie C. Tennant, Sr., command sergeant major, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Balad, told the battalion's newest corps of NCOs to demonstrate inspiring leadership.

"To me it means your leadership style draws Soldiers to want to look like you, dress like you and lead like you," said Tennant. "In other words, it means your Soldiers want to some day lead Soldiers, just like you do."

After his remarks, the new NCOs were sworn-in with "The Charge of the NCO."

The NCOs raised their right hands en masse and swore, "I will discharge carefully and diligently the duties of the grade to which I have been promoted and uphold the traditions and standards of the Army...," and then formed a line by row and passed through an archway painted with all the enlisted leadership ranks.

Sgt. Jual Olivencia, team leader, 51st Transportation Company, said he was glad to finally be inducted.

"It meant a lot because I've witnessed other ceremonies and never took part," said the 34-year-old from Tamarac, Fla. "I didn't want to get out of the Army having never been inducted."

Staff Sgt. Joshua Cameron, light wheel mechanic, 574th Quartermaster Support Company, was able to watch his wife, Sgt. Jennifer Cameron, petroleum supply non-commissioned officer, 574th QMS Co., get inducted.

"I'm very proud," Joshua said. "She's highly motivated. She motivates me everyday."

The two NCOs, both 25-years-old, have been married for three years and this is their third deployment together.

The 17th CSSB, from Fort Richardson, Alaska, will formerly end a 15-month deployment here with a transfer of authority ceremony with the 30th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Tennessee Army National Guard, at Lion Memorial Field Oct. 4.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2008
• Date Posted: 09.25.2008 02:31
• Story ID: 24106
• Location: QAYYARAH, IQ