HONOLULU, Hawaii – Twenty-four Soldiers from the 8th Special Troops Battalion, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, were inducted into the ranks of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps., May 16, at historic Fort DeRussy Army Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii.
The ceremony is a time-honored tradition in the Army that recognizes the step from Soldier to NCO, and holding the ceremony at the former military bunker, now museum, added to the importance of it.
Command Sgt. Maj. James Shuman, the senior enlisted advisor with the 8th STB, explained the importance of holding the ceremony on a piece of history. The bunker was built in 1911, he said. The NCOs stationed at Fort DeRussy would use the two 14-inch guns to fire projectiles as far as 14 miles. It was part of a coastal defense system that was to protect Honolulu Harbor from invasion.
The ceremony began with a history of the NCO and then a description of what each rank’s responsibility is in the NCO support channel.
Guest speaking at the event was Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Tobin, senior enlisted adviser to the 8th TSC. He reminded the newly inducted NCOs that being an NCO was not a right, but a privilege.
“NCOs enforce and maintain the standards,” he told them. “They mentor Soldiers and focus on teaching them on what right looks like. You’re a leader of confidence and selfless service.”
He continued by saying that the NCO Corps has the trust and confidence of the American people and also of the 8th TSC.
“Our NCOs are the best trained, best staffed, and best led in history,” he said. “Our NCOs are the heart and soul of this command, they are the backbone of the Army, and I’m proud to be part of it.”