Photo By Terrance Bell | Soldiers recite the Noncommissioned Officer Charge during proceedings of the 23rd...... read more read more
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FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 29, 2016) -- Eight Soldiers symbolically crossed the threshold into the Army’s brotherhood of enlisted leadership during the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony Friday at the Lee Theater.
Command Sgt. Maj. James A. Thomas, 23rd QM Bde. CSM, hosted the program. Among the attendees were Col. Kelly J. Lawler, QM School chief of staff; Col. Tamatha Patterson, 23rd QM Bde. commander; CSM Nathaniel J. Bartee Sr., CASCOM CSM; CSM Jimmy Sellers, QM School CSM; and CSM Clarence Richardson, Garrison CSM.
The ceremony’s theme was “Developing Champions” and featured retired CSM Charles E. Durr Jr. as the guest speaker. Durr, a former assistant commandant of the now-defunct Quartermaster NCO Academy, said during his speech leaders are not born but forged through training, education and experience.
“Champions are created and built over time by carefully honing their knowledge, skills and abilities,” said the chief of assistance, Army Emergency Relief headquartered in Alexandria. “Today’s time-honored event is merely an outcome of the time, energy and effort of many leaders, both past and present, who have touched the lives of these noncommissioned officers along their journey to this day on this momentous occasion.”
Speaking in a solemn and yet intense tone, Durr spoke directly to the inductees about their transition as a step up from who they were before they earned their stripes.
“Today, noncommissioned officer inductees, your final thought is to transition yourself to mentoring, training, guiding, leading and taking of care of Soldiers whose lives are entrusted to you,” he said. “Today, you must put their needs and their welfare above your own.”
Durr went on to touch upon the NCOs’ role in honoring the traditions, their roles and responsibilities as leaders and how they shape the future of the enlisted force.
Following Durr’s speech, the inductees recited the NCO Charge, received induction certificates and walked through the custom-built archways after their names were announced. Sgt. Courtney Reynolds, an inductee assigned to the 508th Transportation Company, 266th Quartermaster Battalion, said the ceremony capsulized everything he has worked for.
“It’s a solidification of the day in which I put on my stripes and said I’m here to be a noncommissioned officer,” said the 29-year-old motor transport operator.
Sgt. Melissa Jenkins, also of the 508th, said the occasion punctuated the promotion she received in April.
“I loved it; it was great,” she said. “Between practicing all week and seeing it unfold it was amazing.”
The ceremony also included Soldiers dressed in period uniforms, the NCO Creed and a motivational video.
The 23rd Quartermaster Brigade administers the training of 23,000 students annually. That includes those from the Air Force, Navy and Marines, as well as foreign countries.
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2016 13:20 |
| Story ID: | 210923 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 57 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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