Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joseph VonNida | The newly-promoted non-commissioned officers of Colorado Army National Guard's 2nd...... read more read more
Time-honored. Dedicated Professional. Leader.
These prevalent words echoed throughout the Army Aviation Support Facility as Colorado National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation, appointed 17 newly-promoted E-5 and E-6 Soldiers into the non-commissioned officer corps Jan. 10 at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colo.
The NCO Creed, created in 1973, defines an NCO as the "backbone" of the Army and a true professional.
"Transitioning from a junior enlisted Soldier to an NCO is a big step," said Company A 1st Sgt. David Marc Shields.
Being an NCO means transforming from a subordinate troop to a leader of Soldiers and preparing junior enlisted men and women to step up and become leaders in the NCO corps themselves, he said.
"This is a time-honored tradition," Shields said of the induction ceremony. "It's something we haven't done in a while and we are happy to give these new NCOs their due."
A line of duct tape stretched across the ground separating the senior members of the Colorado National Guard NCO corps from the Soldiers being inducted into their ranks.
After raising their right hands and following the senior NCO's lead in reciting the NCO Creed, each of the newly promoted Soldiers was called individually to be welcomed by the senior members. Each had to step over the line of tape. Crossing the line signified the crossing over from a junior enlisted status and becoming an answerable, experienced leader.
NCOs are responsible for motivating and instilling order and discipline into their troops, and, based on their experience and training, are held to a higher standard than junior enlisted Soldiers.
"It's about leading Soldiers, taking care of their needs and making sure that they are mentally and physically ready to accomplish the mission," said Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Alflen. "These new NCOs will now be held to a different standard of excellence. They have been taught along the way to do the right thing when no one is looking, and will be expected to pass that on to their Soldiers."
"I want to take care of my Soldiers and lead the way. I want to retire with the National Guard, and my commitment is to do as the NCO Creed says," said Staff Sgt. Erica Schaeffer.
Instilling discipline is a natural role of a leader. As these new NCOs embrace their role, and prepare their Soldiers for the demands of the mission, discipline was high on the mind of others in the ceremony.
When asked if she had anything to add about her new appointment into the NCO corps, Sgt. Ashley Voss said, "Do pushups."
| Date Taken: | 01.10.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.01.2010 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 44750 |
| Location: | DENVER, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 180 |
| Downloads: | 152 |
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