398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion celebrates Year of the NCO

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers of the 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion raise their right hand and repeat the non-commissioned officer's charge during an NCO induction ceremony at Camp Liberty, Iraq, June 2.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

06.15.2009

Courtesy Story

3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — "No one is more professional than I. I am a non-commissioned officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a non-commissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as 'The Backbone of the Army'," recited newly promoted sergeants of the 398th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion during the 398th CSSB's NCO induction here June 2.

Twenty-two Soldiers from the 398th CSSB and its subordinate units were inducted into the NCO Corps. These Soldiers received guidance and words of encouragement from unit first sergeants and Command Sgt. Maj. Willie C. Tennant Sr., 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) command sergeant major.

Command Sgt. Maj. Allen G. Fritzsching, the 10th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major and Houston native, gave his words of encouragement to the NCOs.

"It is an honor and a privilege to have this opportunity to share some thoughts, leader to leader, sergeant to sergeant, about your new role as a non-commissioned officer. Our service members are truly the best warriors our great nation has to offer and our Army has ever had," he said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Merritt, a Rockville, Md., native, and the senior enlisted Soldier of the 398th CSSB, said "these sergeants joining our NCO Corps are the best that the (unit) has had. They are working with highly advanced equipment, supervising four to 12 Soldiers, working independently with their squads away from the command elements on numerous austere remote sites. I feel proud and fortunate that these Soldiers have recognized and accepted the responsibility of being leaders of Soldiers."

Sgt. Kevin Powers, a native of Stone Mountain, Ga., and an inductee from the 503rd Maintenance Company said, "I am very proud to be a part of this honored corps. Plus, to have the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and the 10th Sustainment Brigade command sergeant major here to induct us is a day I will never forget."

In closing, Fritzsching said, "I am especially proud of the technical skills and outstanding leadership I see in our non-commissioned officers. The 10th Sustainment Brigade NCO Corps has raised the bar of excellence. Every Soldier has a sergeant and all a Soldier ever needs is one good sergeant. NCOs lead the way. Supporting the Climb!"

• Date Taken: 06.15.2009
• Date Posted: 06.15.2009 10:15
• Story ID: 35073
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ