Story by: Sgt. Florentino Padilla, Bravo Battery, 5-52 ADA BN
On July 19, 2019, at Soldier Hall, many young Non-commissioned Officers within 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade walked through the arch on stage, officially being inducted into the corps. NCO’s of 11th ADA Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-43, 2-43, 3-43, and 5-52 Air Defense Artillery Regiments are ready to take on the role as Non-Commissioned Officers. The history of the Non-Commissioned Officer Corps dates back to the start of the Army in 1775. Today the corps still follows in the footsteps of the NCO’s that walked before us. With the help of Friedrich von Steuben, through what is commonly known as the “Blue Book”, written in 1778, NCO’s have been able to hold soldiers to the standard, enforce discipline, provide direction and motivation.
Without ceremonies like these many NCO’s could feel forgotten, or that they just pinned on
a new rank. The fact of the matter is, the induction into the corps makes newly promoted Non-
Commissioned Officers, remember just how far they have come. All NCO’s have been soldiers,
following the commands of their NCO’s. As soldiers, they looked for guidance on how to overcome adversities not only at work, but in their personal lives as well. Now, with the promotion
into the NCO Corps, they are the supervisors giving direction. It is not a role to take for
granted. When Bravo Battery, 5-52 ADA’s Sgt. Jose Gutierrez, a 14T, was asked how he felt, he
replied with, “Nervous, but excited.” SGT Gutierrez realizes the importance of being an NCO.
Although nervous he is ready to train his soldiers and hold them to a high standard and prepare
them with the tools necessary to be successful. Feeling that the induction ceremony was
important, he encouraged future ceremonies be held outside, so more soldiers can attend, and
see that one day it can be them walking the stage.
Taking on this role is very important. Decisions made not only impact themselves, it impacts
their soldiers, and the readiness of the Army as whole. Friedrich von Steuben refereed to
NCO’s, as “the back bone of the Army.” It is also in the Creed of the Non-Commissioned
Officer, which serves as a guide to professional, moral, and leadership expectations, for all
NCO’s. The guest speaker of the ceremony, Colonel Issac G. Gibson, referred to the creed not
only as words on paper, but as something all NCO’s need to live by every single day.
Induction into the Corps of the Non-Commissioned Officer can be a very exciting moment
in a soldiers career. Sergeant Richard L. Amoateng, a 92Y, assigned to Bravo Battery 5-52, felt
that by walking the stage being inducted, that it has solidified his role as an NCO and has
made him more motivated to assume his authority, and guide his soldiers to the best of his
ability. SGT Lucas Owens, Charlie Battery 5-52 ADA, a 14T, had a similar response to the
induction. He felt that being inducted into the corps made it official. He also said that since
joining the Army, it has been his goal, and dream, to make it into such an honorable corps.
SGT Owens also added that it brought him a lot of pride to wear to be an NCO, and ready to
be part of the success of soldiers, and the Army.
It is an obligation as NCO’s to lead soldiers in a positive direction, so that one day they may
become NCO’s themselves. S3 Sergeant Major Lacey L. Clayton, of 5th Battalion 52nd Air
Defense Artillery Regiment, stated, that this ceremony is not only for the NCO’s, but for the
Soldiers as well. It is an opportunity for them to see that one day they will cross the threshold
and become a leader. When asked if she had any additional comments, she replied, “Team
Deuce for life!”
All NCO’s are leaders and mentors. It is their responsibility to be accountable for themselves
and their Soldiers. As they walked the stage they were beyond excited to lead, and develop
their Soldiers. They are aware of their roles as Non-Commissioned Officers, and are ready to
follow in the footsteps of amazing NCO’s that wore the rank before them.