419th Command Support Sustainment Battalion non-commissioned officers Induction Ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Paul Garcia | Sgt. Brian Julo, 68th Transportation Company, 419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, a resident of Mannheim, Germany, walks through the archway at the non-commissioned officer induction ceremony signifying his induction into the Non-commissioned Officers Corps.  

TAJI, IRAQ

04.18.2009

Story by Sgt. Paul Garcia 

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Recently, the newer non-commissioned officers of the 419th Command Support Sustainment Battalion were honored with an official NCO Induction Ceremony.

Many sergeants and staff sergeants had waited a long time to take part in one of these ceremonies which officially inducts a sergeant in the Corps of the non-commissioned officers. Fifty proud Soldiers were inducted in April by the 419th CSSB, 10th Sustainment Brigade.

The induction included experienced NCOs giving advice to NCOs of the future as well as junior enlisted Soldiers letting the new NCOs know their expectations in leadership. The sergeants majors and first sergeants also had words of experience for the inductees.

Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Swanson, a native of Perris, Calif., let the NCOs know his view on their newly-acquired positions. "You guys own a piece of the Army now. These Soldiers are yours. You let the officers borrow them sometimes, but at the end of the day you take them back."

1st Sgt. Royce Harris, a Lubbock, Texas native, explained to the new leaders that "The soldiers are not here to serve you, but you are there to serve them."

"You are the future legacy of the army, and your leadership, dedication and commitment, is what defines you., you need to lead the troops, feed the troops, and train them," said Weatherford, Texas native, 1st Sgt. Craig Hale.

1st Sgt. Brian Stoops, a native of Butler, Pa., told the Soldiers. "NCO's, I charge you to know yourself and seek self-improvement; know your Soldiers and train them. Set the example in all that you do. Remember, setting the example is not a job, it is a way of life 24-7!"

1st Sgt. Lamando Parker, a native of Salisbury, N.C., said "Your success is not judged by how far you move up in the ranks ... but how many Soldiers you help move through the ranks. NCOs are homegrown. As Sergeants, you produce good or bad NCOs"

We are truly proud of the new NCOs in the 419th CSSB. We wish them luck in their endeavors and handling their new leadership responsibilities. As Perris, Calif. native, 1st Sgt. Donald Mills said during the ceremony, "Always do the right thing."

• Date Taken: 04.18.2009
• Date Posted: 04.18.2009 15:48
• Story ID: 32550
• Location: TAJI, IQ