310th ESC holds historic NCO induction ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Blake Essex | Soldiers congratulate the newly inducted NCOs after the 310th ESC 2016 NCO Induction Ceremony on Saturday June 4, 2016. The ceremony was held at the SPC Luke P. Frist Army Reserve Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, by the 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).  

LAWRENCE, IN, UNITED STATES

06.15.2016

Story by Spc. Blake Essex 

310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

LAWRENCE, Ind.-The NCO has long been known as the backbone of the Army. Serving as a leader and mentor while also supporting commanders to accomplish the mission is considered a great honor as well as a great responsibility. To join the NCO Corps is a long standing honor for any Soldier to strive for.

A historic NCO Induction Ceremony was held at the SPC Luke P. Frist Army Reserve Center at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, by the 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), on Saturday, June 4, 2016.

24 NCOs from the 310th ESC, the Army Recruiting Battalion Indianapolis, and 3rd Battalion, 94th Training Division, experienced the traditional non-commissioned officer rite of passage. The induction ceremony is a key point in the profession of arms and allows those taking part to unite with other NCOs to learn about the importance of their role as leaders.

“The induction of deserving Soldiers into the ranks of the noncommissioned officer corps is a transformation of a follower into a leader,” said Sgt. 1st Class Shekondra A. Bass, logistics non-commissioned officer for the 310th ESC and the Hostess of Ceremonies during the ceremony.

“The solemn ceremony is designated to welcome newly promoted Soldiers into our ranks and to familiarize them with their the required responsibilities as a non-commissioned officer,” continued Bass

Soldiers reminded the NCOs what is expected of them by making ‘A Soldier’s Request’ to the inductees. The request is part of the induction to the NCO Corps. To ensure that the NCOs know what is expected of them by those who will both be under their supervision but also with their care.

“The induction ceremony helps build the foundation for the newly promoted NCO and sets them on a path to success,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Levi Maynard, the senior enlisted advisor of the 310th ESC and the host of the ceremony, “It is important because it not only teaches them our history and traditions, it helps them to understand the magnitude of the transition from a Soldier to the NCO Corps and the responsibilities to comes with it.”

“It’s an event in which we take our oath as NCOs, in becoming a non-commissioned officer, to give back to the junior Soldiers that we will now be charged with responsibility for,” said Sgt. Ashton M. Kelsay, one of the inductees of the ceremony from the 310th ESC.

Maynard had the honor of swearing in the NCOs, reminding them what they can become with hard work, dedication, and respect for their Soldiers.

“For a certain individual to want to become an NCO they have to strive for themselves but I think if they were present for the induction ceremony that it would make me want to strive for that rank, to be a part the NCO Corps, and to be an NCO,” said Army Sgt. Ryan Kraus, another inductee from the 310th ESC, “To push your limits for yourself to strive for that.”

• Date Taken: 06.15.2016
• Date Posted: 06.15.2016 18:37
• Story ID: 201263
• Location: LAWRENCE, IN, US
• Hometown: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US