168th Brigade Support Battalion holds non-commissioned officer induction ceremony

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Twenty-two new 168th Brigade Support Battalion sergeants wait to be inducted into the non-commissioned corps during an induction ceremony held at Camp Liberty, Iraq. Command Sgt. Maj. Willie Tennant, the senior-ranking enlisted member of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), spoke during the event stressing the importance of their newly achieved rank and the challenges that face them in the future.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.29.2008

Story by Spc. Michael Behlin 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – The 168th Brigade Support Battalion inducted 22 new sergeants during a non-commissioned officer induction ceremony Sept. 20, 2008 at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation center on Camp Liberty.

During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Willie Tennant, the senior-ranking enlisted member of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), spoke to the newly inducted NCO's on the importance of their newly achieved rank and the challenges that face them in the future.

"The mission and task of being a NCO is one that is difficult," said Tennant. "But many before you have endured the challenges involved and I too expect you to be as successful as they were."

During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Miguel Rivera, 168th BSB, administered the charge of the non-commissioned officer to the inducted sergeants. This oath lists the responsibilities and duties expected of an NCO.

"As a non-commissioned officer, I accept the charge to observe and follow the orders and directions given by superiors acting according to the laws, articles and rules governing the discipline of the Army, I will correct conditions detrimental to the readiness thereof. In so doing, I will fulfill my greatest obligation as a leader and thereby confirm my status as a non-commissioned officer," recited Rivera.

Following the Charge of the Non-commissioned officer, was the Soldier's Request, which lists everything a Soldier needs from his or her NCO to be successful during their Army career. A reoccurring theme throughout the request is the phrase "Sergeant, train me." This phrase gives direct reference to the duties of an NCO as they are the primary military leaders responsible for executing the military organization's mission, and for the training of Soldiers so that they are prepared to execute the mission.

Sgt. Lovier Miller, an inductee and automated logistical specialist with the 168th BSB, explains that this new responsibility is exactly what she is looking forward to.

"I feel like I've joined a whole new family now that I've been inducted into the corps of NCO's," said Miller. "Duties that I'm looking forward to in the future include helping younger Soldiers continue their educations and just training them to move forward in their military careers."

The 168th BSB, headquartered at Fort Sill, Okla., activated in September 2006 and is capable of independent operations and taking on subordinate units to fulfill a larger scale sustainment operation for the United States Army.

• Date Taken: 09.29.2008
• Date Posted: 09.29.2008 01:55
• Story ID: 24256
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ