Command Sgt. Maj. Philson Tavernier, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, gives the NCO charge to inductees during an induction ceremony Sept. 9, 2016, at McMahon Auditorium. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
By Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Ten newly promoted sergeants officially joined the ranks of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps during a 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, induction ceremony Sept. 9, 2016, at McMahon Auditorium.
“The noncommissioned officer induction ceremony is all about the history and traditions of the U.S. Army,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Philson Tavernier, 1st Bn., 38th Inf. Reg., 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, who held the ceremony. “I’ve been in the Army for 20 years, and I’ve only attended one NCO induction ceremony; it’s a form of recognition and leadership that’s been lost over the years,” said Tavernier.
Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Ayala, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, congratulates new inductees after an NCO induction ceremony Sept. 9, 2016, at McMahon Auditorium. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
“Becoming a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army is a rite of passage. The ceremony gives these young NCOs a better understanding of the significance of becoming a sergeant,” he said. “It also signifies the transition from a Soldier being a follower to becoming a leader — the most significant promotion in the Army.”
The idea of an Army NCO induction ceremony was started in December 1988 by then Command Sgt. Maj. George Horvath, U.S. Army Forces Command. Hovarth described his observations of a Germany army induction ceremony to Sergeant Major Class 32 and suggested that others should adopt a similar program.
“I think ceremonies like this are important to traditions and customs of the Army so we won’t lose what we came from,” said Sgt. Richard Pina, team leader, Company A, 1st Bn., 38th Inf. Reg.
Pina and nine of his fellow NCOs took the NCO charge after being introduced to NCOs from across the 1st SBCT, 4th Inf. Div.
“As an NCO, I look forward to being able to provide guidance to my Soldiers and being someone they can come to at any time, whether it is professional or personal,” said Pina.
The ceremony ended with the singing of the “Warrior March” and the “Army Song.”
“It was my absolute honor and privilege to host this ceremony. It is all about mentoring the junior enlisted and the future of our grateful nation,” said Tavernier.