Ready First NCO induction

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christina Turnipseed | The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division brigade commander, Col. Larry Swift, the Ready First 1/1 AD battalion commanders, the 506 Air Expeditionary Group commander Col. Lenard S. Dick, and other Ready First Soldiers and 506 Airmen attend the Ready First NCO Induction Ceremony March 25.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

04.06.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Christina Turnipseed 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

KIRKUK, Iraq -- "No one is more professional than I! I am a noncommissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers!"

This loud, synchronized recitation of the NCO Creed came from more than 50 "Ready First" 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Soldiers out of Fort Bliss, Texas, and "Battle Boar" 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga., Soldiers on Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq, March 25.

The Soldiers recited the entire NCO Creed after being officially inducted into the NCO Corp by Command Sgt. Maj. James Daniels, the Ready First command sergeant major, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews, Task Force Marne Command Sergeant Major.

Andrews, who gave the address at the induction, said he was proud to have the Ready First as part of the Task Force Marne team, gave the origin of the NCO Creed and reminded the new NCO's to remember their most important responsibilities.

Soldiers being inducted into the NCO Corps today, it's our responsibility to make sure we take care of our "most valuable resource, and that is our American Soldier," Andrews said.

Andrews addressed new NCO's from each of the battalions serving FOB Warrior under Ready First 1/1 AD including: 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Battalion"Bandits"; 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Battalion "Gunners"; 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment "Blackhawks"; 501st Brigade Support Battalion "Providers"; 1-1 Special Troops Battalion "Black Nights"; all out of Fort Bliss, Texas; and 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry "Battle Boars" out of Fort Stewart, Ga.

During the induction, the new NCO's were asked loudly, in a ceremonial request for junior enlisted Soldiers, to "Treat me with respect, sergeant!", "Train me for the elements, sergeant!" and "Train me, sergeant, that one day I too can be called sergeant!"

The new sergeants then filed onto the stage decorated by the U.S. flag, Ready First colors, and the colors of each battalion. The Soldiers then filed one-by-one under a large yellow and black arch displaying the NCO ranks on each side; from corporal to command sergeant major literally, stepping into NCO land.

Each new NCO signed their certificate, shook the hand of Daniels and received their official acceptance into the NCO Corps from Command Sgt. Maj. Andrews.

[The newly inducted sergeants seemed to embrace their status with a good understanding of the road ahead.]

"You've got to take more responsibility," said Sgt. Frank Gonzales of Ready First 1/1 AD.

"It's a way to teach, mentor, and guide [Soldiers] in the right path. To help them make the best choice," said Sgt. Daniel Ruiz a brigade personal security detail Soldier from Ready First 1/1 AD.

"I feel very honored," said Alethea Brock of Charlie company 501st Brigade Support Battalion. "I'm ready to take on the responsibilities of an NCO."

"As a Soldier being promoted in the ranks," said Marcos Costa of 501st BSB, who is originally from Rio De Janeiro, "you always look forward to the moment when you lead other Soldiers."

The induction ended with close to 150 Soldiers in attendance singing "The Army Song" along with the new NCO's, the leaders of Soldiers!

• Date Taken: 04.06.2010
• Date Posted: 04.06.2010 03:55
• Story ID: 47724
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ