Photo By Sgt. Jeff Ledesma | Sgt. Lewie K. Andrews, native of Semmes, Ala., and a light-wheel mechanic with the...... read more read more
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By Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma
1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 57th Signal Company, currently supporting the 2nd "Dagger" Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in the Iraqi capital, underwent the proud tradition of recognizing the changes that come when those three carrot-shaped stripes are affixed to their uniform at the Multi-National Division – Baghdad Headquarters July 24.
"As an NCO (non-commissioned officer) you will have many jobs. One of those jobs is keeping quality and motivated Soldiers in the Army," said Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald J. Desjardins, the senior enlisted advisor for the Army's chief information officer in Washington and the keynote speaker for this non-commissioned officer induction ceremony. "It must be a top priority that all of us must pay attention to."
Sgt. Lewie K. Andrews, who was promoted to the rank of sergeant on Jan. 1, said that he knows he has a lot more responsibility in his hands now.
"You definitely notice a change when you come across a group of Soldiers for the first time and they address you as 'sergeant,'" Andrews said. "It really hits home in a different way." The light-wheel mechanic said he feels proud of the rank he wears especially when he takes a look at where he was and where he is now.
According to the Semmes, Ala., native, the rank puts new sergeants under an invisible magnifying glass, which floods them with a sense of obligation and responsibility.
"Younger troops look up to you and you know they look up to you," Andrews said. "You definitely don't want to give off a bad impression and with the rank, you have to step up."
According to Andrews, currently working out of Forward Operating Base Justice, that honesty is something he appreciates because it makes him better.
"Soldiers will tell when you're wrong and it adds that much more incentive to not screw up and do your best," he explained.
He added that when he pinned on the rank, he pinned on the responsibility, which forces him to focus more on his everyday actions.
"You can't act all crazy, clowning around. You put more focus on your behavior because you know you set the example," Andrews said.
"It is also your job to share your experiences and your observations and your knowledge with the Soldier you lead. It is your job to understand today's Soldier," Desjardins said. "It is your job as newly-inducted NCOs, and all NCOs, to help Soldiers understand they are the Army's greatest asset."
During the ceremony held in the division conference room, the Army's generations of troops merged in common purpose, as senior NCOs watched with pride, new NCOs stood with professionalism and junior troops listened with admiration.
The words "Treat me with respect, sergeant, for no heart in the world is more loyal than the heart of an American Soldier," rang true for an aspiring NCO, Spc. Ismaelite Laurore, a chemical operations specialist who is currently studying for the board.
"Treating Soldiers with respect will help create unity, which will make accomplishing your mission that much easier and getting the mission done is what the Army stands for," Laurore said. "It also helps Soldiers maintain their motivation and makes it easier for them to 'Be, know and do.'"
"I want to become that sergeant," added the junior trooper from Orlando, Fla.
Desjardins said in his speech that these NCOs have proven they exemplify the enduring values by which the United States stands to win in the war against terrorism.
As each newly-inducted NCO made their walk underneath an archway, illuminated by three candles – symbolizing the past, present and future – things are forever changed as they are officially recognized as members of the time-honored corps known as 'The backbone of the Army.'
"The difference between yesterday and today goes far beyond time, new stripes, more pay and a different title," Desjardins told the new NCOs. "These official orders change the whole fabric of what the Army and Soldiers expect of you."
"You can never again be one of the troops," he said.
| Date Taken: | 07.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2007 15:39 |
| Story ID: | 11480 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 368 |
| Downloads: | 293 |
This work, Backbone of the Army: Induction Ceremony Joins Past, Present, Future, by SGT Jeff Ledesma, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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