By: Spc. Harmony Pelletier

SOUTHWEST ASIA - On Feb. 25, the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment inducted nine soldiers into the honored Non-commissioned Officer Corps in Southwest Asia.

Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Clem, the command sergeant major of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, was there to support the new non-commissioned officers as well as offer words of wisdom for the responsibilities that lie ahead of them.

The heart of being an NCO is having an understanding of the history of our profession and our Corps, he said as he reflected on this past year being titled the Year of the NCO by the Secretary of the Army.

As eager ears listened, Command Sgt. Maj. Clem went on to describe how important the understanding of duty, responsibility, and authority is to the success of being a Noncommissioned Officer.

Sgt. Quinton V. Davis, an automated logistics specialist in 3-2 ADA, was one of the soldiers who crossed the time honored line into the Non-commissioned Officer Corps.

“It was truly an honor,” Quinton said in reference to being inducted into the Corps. When Quinton was asked what his thoughts were on Command Sgt. Maj. Clem’s words of wisdom, he replied, “Insightful. He is about to retire and has tremendous experience in the Army. I would be a fool to not take his advice to heart.”

At the end of his speech, Command Sgt. Maj. Clem left the newly inducted NCO’s with the challenge to live up to their duties, responsibilities, and authority. This is a challenge that will inspire every NCO who was in attendance to reach his or her highest potential as a leader in the United States Army.