Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Larsen | U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Kruse, a military police officer assigned to the 978th...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas — Before dawn breaks over the Chihuahuan Desert, a group of Soldiers already move—running in formation across darkened fields, muscles burning under the weight of full combat gear. For these newly promoted noncommissioned officers assigned to the 1st Armored Division's Division Sustainment Brigade, the early mornings and long days are not punishment but a reward.
NCOs are the backbone of the U.S. Army, serving as the critical link between officers and enlisted Soldiers, translating orders into action and ensuring the welfare, discipline and training of those in their charge.
The brigade's induction program reinforces that expectation with structure, ceremony and accountability from the first day of training to the moment a new sergeant steps through crossed sabers.
“This program not only allows me the opportunity to train and lead Soldiers, but to be part of change in my organization,” said Master Sgt. James Hager, operations noncommissioned officer in charge for the brigade. “The purpose of the course is to institute esprit de corps while reinforcing the foundational leadership and Soldier competencies required to lead teams and squads. It is important that we pass on our knowledge and develop these young leaders because I have young kids, and these are the leaders who will take care of them when they serve.”
The brigade strives to train and prepare the next generation of leaders to take Soldiers into large-scale combat operations—training and leading from a place of discipline and understanding.
Senior leaders approach this through programs such as Agents of Change, noncommissioned officer professional development, leader professional development, and most notably, a structured NCO development course designed to transition junior enlisted Soldiers into the Army’s backbone: the NCO corps.
“We must develop Soldiers through the three domains— institutional, organizational and self-development,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Olanrewaju Anibaba, senior enlisted leader for the brigade. “As leaders, we cannot control self-development or institutional development, but we can guide Soldiers and provide them with comprehensive organizational training and support. I have been in the Army for over 28 years; it does me no good to hold onto my knowledge. I must pass it on to the next generation.”
The program immerses candidates in a demanding blend of physical rigor, classroom instruction, land navigation, fieldcraft, and military bearing, culminating in one of the Army’s most time-honored traditions: the NCO induction ceremony.
“This course is about more than just teaching skills,” said Staff Sgt. Zachery Kelly, an NCO course instructor assigned to the brigade. “We are developing leaders. Every Soldier who goes through this is going to handle the lives and performance of other Soldiers.”
The program reflects a broader Army priority—seen in the S.T.R.O.N.G. Sergeants initiative— to ensure that sergeants and staff sergeants are equipped not only with technical proficiency but with the character and judgment the role demands.
Candidates tackle a demanding curriculum from day one. Physical training forms the foundation, with early morning runs and calisthenics pushing inductees to meet and exceed Army fitness standards.
Classroom sessions follow, where Soldiers take notes and engage with instruction on leadership, doctrine and Soldier care. The academic component complements hands-on fieldwork, including land navigation using military topographic maps — a fundamental skill every sergeant must master and teach.
Cpl. Jonah Young, an NCO inductee, described the experience as transformative. Soldiers rotate between field environments and garrison settings throughout the program, reflecting the dual nature of an NCO’s responsibilities.
“The most valuable thing I got from this course was the refresher on how to lead my Soldiers and land navigation,” said Young. “The biggest mindset shift I had from being a junior enlisted Soldier to becoming an NCO was to always be there for my Soldiers and exhibit selfless service in every situation.”
During field exercises in the arid terrain surrounding Fort Bliss, small groups of Soldiers huddled over maps, pointing out grid coordinates, checking azimuths and discussing routes. Instructors shadowed candidates, offering correction and guidance in real time.
The program's most visible component is its closing ceremony. Candidates don their Army Service Uniforms or Army Green Service Uniforms, preparing their dress uniforms in the days prior with help from instructors who check every ribbon, badge and insignia for proper placement. One by one, Soldiers walk beneath crossed sabers during the induction ceremony.
“My biggest takeaway from the induction program was the knowledge and experience that I gained,” said Sgt. Jerel Taylor, a human resources sergeant assigned to the 178th Human Resources Company. “From understanding how to properly fill out counselings to what to say on NCO support forms, it gives an overview of expectations and instills confidence in newly appointed NCOs, preparing us to lead, train and mentor Soldiers.”
This longstanding tradition symbolizes passage into the noncommissioned officer ranks. Soldiers walk through an arch formed by sabers held high by fellow NCOs, emerging on the other side as newly inducted leaders. The division’s insignia, displayed alongside the stacked chevrons of NCO ranks from corporal to sergeant major, serves as a visual reminder of the career ahead.
For the Soldiers completing the course, the induction ceremony is not an ending. It marks the beginning of a responsibility they will carry for the rest of their military careers.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.27.2026 11:52 |
| Story ID: | 566076 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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