By Sgt. Wayne A. Mockerman
2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, recite the creed of the NCO March 20, 2019, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center for an NCO induction ceremony for nearly 30 new leaders. (Courtesy photo)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Pageantry and pride filled the air at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center March 20, 2019, as the 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conducted its inaugural NCO induction ceremony.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jelani Edwards, senior enlisted leader, 2nd Bn., 12th FA Reg., 1st SBCT, presided over the ceremony, which gathered the battalion to formally induct nearly 30 junior leaders into the corps of NCOs.
Once a familiar sight, the venerable tradition has become more rare in recent years. Of the senior leaders present at the ceremony, only a small handful had previously witnessed such an event. The primary purpose of the ceremony is to not only to socialize with the newly inducted leaders, but also the junior enlisted Soldiers.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — About 30 newly inducted NCOs with 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stand ready March 20, 2019, as they are recognized and welcomed at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Courtesy photo)
“The NCO is the backbone of the Army, and in order for them to get introduced to what the noncommissioned corps is all about, they need to be brought in the correct way, which is the NCO induction ceremony, to understand the worth of the NCO,” Edwards said.
This understanding is brought about through symbolism and spectacle, both of which were on full display. After the invocation and national anthem, the ceremony began with a video recounting the history of the NCO, from the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror. The first-person perspective invited the audience to identify with these leaders of previous generations and feel the weight of history and tradition behind the NCO title.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 2nd Battalion, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, hosts an NCO induction ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center as Sgt. Gavin L. Clegg, senior radar operator, 2nd Bn., 12th FA Reg., 1st SBCT, presents the guest speaker, Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Richard L. Ayala, former senior enlisted leader of the 4th Infantry Division, with a small token of appreciation on behalf of the battalion. (Courtesy photo)
As the video played, several Soldiers dressed in uniforms belonging to several periods of the Army’s long history, positioned themselves before the arch that the newly promoted sergeants would soon find themselves walking through, completing their metamorphosis from “one of the guys” to leaders.
The historical Soldiers marched through the arch while imploring the inductees to perform their duties to the fullest, to care for them, to discipline them, to train them and to mentor them.
Sgt. Thomas Crispell, an inductee, 1st SBCT, was particularly inspired.
“Something like this really puts it more in perspective,” he said. “It gives you an understanding where it makes you want to go out and do more.”
The event continued with an impassioned speech by guest speaker Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Ayala, former senior enlisted leader of the 4th Infantry Division, who implored the inductees to care for their Soldiers and to maintain their perspective when they find their duty particularly difficult.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers wield a saber to cut the celebratory cake for the NCO induction ceremony, bringing the ceremony to a close for the 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, March 20, 2019,at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Courtesy photo)
Before the induction commenced Edwards ordered the historical Soldier’s to secure the doors to the building, letting no one in or out. As the new sergeants walked through the arch, truly completing their transformation to leaders, the historical Soldiers stood down, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility from past generations of leaders to the current.
The induction ceremony is only a part of the battalion’s program to develop its junior leaders, the upcoming Viking Leader Academy seeks to build on the pride and sense of purpose instilled by the ceremony by teaching them the skills they need as new NCOs.