Afghan, American, German, Swedish troops inducted into NCO Corps

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Chlosta | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill, senior enlisted leader for the International Security Assistance Force/United States Forces - Afghanistan, speaks during an ISAF non-commissioned officer induction ceremony hosted by 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Dec. 28, at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan.  

CAMP MARMAL, AFGHANISTAN

12.28.2010

Story by Sgt. Sean Harriman 

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP MARMAL, Afghanistan – International Security Assistance Force’s 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division held the first ever multi-national non-commissioned officer induction ceremony on Dec. 28 at Camp Marmal, Regional Command (North).

Inducted into the NCO Corps were 34 U.S. Army Soldiers, six German Air Force, four Afghan National Army soldiers and four Swedish soldiers.

The ceremony began with “A Soldier’s Request,” during which junior enlisted service members declared out loud in front of the packed tent what they needed of their newly inducted NCOs.

“We are quick to demand something of our troops, but to hear what they demand of us, that’s powerful,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin L. Hill, command senior enlisted leader, ISAF/United States Forces-Afghanistan, and the guest speaker.

This was also the first multi-national NCO induction ceremony in RC(N) to include ANA soldiers.

U.S. Army Sgt. Cecilia Hernandez, 26, a command post node team chief from El Paso, Texas with Company B, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, enjoyed sharing the ceremony with ANA soldiers.

“It helped me get a better concept of what being an NCO is,” she said. “Being a part of this ceremony was good for both us and them.”

Muhammed Ayub, one of the Afghan National Army soldiers being inducted, has been a soldier for 40 years.

“I am glad that the U.S. soldiers came here, this ceremony was very good,” Ayub said. “As long as I am alive I will help to fight for my country.”

Although the ceremony was performed in English, Ayub claimed he could understand the meaning by "the sound of the words."

For most of the newly inducted NCOs, like U.S. Army Sgt. Carrie Konfederak, the ceremony outlined the duty that comes with being a leader.

“It laid out the responsibilities and made me feel a part of something,” said Konfederak, 25, a medic from Phoenix, Ariz., with Headquarters Support Company, 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th ID.

Each soldier, after being individually recognized, marched through an iron ‘gateway.’ They stepped through the other side as an officially inducted NCO.

“Don’t let this induction ceremony be the ‘be all and end all,’” said Hill. “Know the standard. Enforce the standard. Be the standard.”

• Date Taken: 12.28.2010
• Date Posted: 01.01.2011 08:43
• Story ID: 62852
• Location: CAMP MARMAL, AF