Desert Rogues welcome new NCOs to the Corps

Photo By Staff Sgt. Daniel Guerrero | Command Sgts. Maj. Jonathan E. Reffeor (center), senior enlisted leader of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and Michael D. Hall (left), 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 1ABCT, 3ID, congratulate Sgt. Steven J. Lepine, an inductee from 1-64 AR, and present him with a certificate to formally welcome him into the corps of noncommissioned officers during an induction ceremony, January 8, 2021, at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea. The Desert Rogues’ induction ceremony formally and ceremonially welcomed 17 Soldiers into the NCO corps. (U.S. Army photo by KPfc. Seong Min Choi, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team)  

CAMP CASEY, SOUTH KOREA

01.08.2021

Story by Spc. William Griffen 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, are welcomed into the corps of noncommissioned officers during an induction ceremony, January 8, 2021, at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea.

This ceremony is a time-honored rite of passage for Soldiers who earn the sergeant rank.

“It [this ceremony] gives NCOs a chance to understand what they are being inducted into and what they’re a part of now,” said Sgt. Joseph Toups, an inductee assigned to Company C, 1-64 AR. “They’re part of something bigger and better that contributes more to the Army than they had any idea of knowing until the ceremony takes place.”

During the ceremony, the attendees honored the fallen comrades that preceded the inductees and are introduced to the responsibilities of each level of enlisted leadership.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan E. Reffeor, the guest speaker and senior enlisted leader of 1ABCT, congratulated the inductees and told them the importance of their new role.

“This is an incredibly important step for these young noncommissioned officers,” said Reffeor. “They are now officially a part of a team that is responsible for taking care of our warfighters, a responsibility about which I care deeply and do not take lightly.”

The 17 inductees finished their induction into the NCO corps by passing under the NCO archway and stating the Creed of the NCO.

“Becoming a Noncommissioned Officer is a right of passage that dates back 245 years and the induction of our newest sergeants instills a sense of pride and confidence while ingraining their duties and responsibilities deep within them,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Hall, senior enlisted leader of 1-64 AR, during a previous induction ceremony.

• Date Taken: 01.08.2021
• Date Posted: 01.27.2021 00:03
• Story ID: 387269
• Location: CAMP CASEY, KR