“(This ceremony) is very important because it educates the inductees on our history (as NCOs) and how important our role is as leaders.”
— Staff Sgt. Lionel Williams
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with Foxtrot Company, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, say the NCO Creed aloud Sept. 13, 2019, during a quarterly NCO induction ceremony at the Freedom Performing Arts Center at Fort Carson, Colo. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
By Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. Elijah M. Mullins, a cannon crewmember with Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, walks under an arch Sept. 13, 2019, during a quarterly NCO induction ceremony at the Freedom Performing Arts Center. Mullins was one of seven newly promoted NCOs recognized during the ceremony. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Seven Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, walked under an arch Sept. 13, 2019, symbolizing their induction into the NCO Corps during an induction ceremony at the Freedom Performing Arts Center.
NCO induction ceremonies celebrate the transition of junior enlisted Soldiers to NCOs and highlight the duties and responsibilities the Soldiers will undertake as they lead others.
“(This ceremony) is very important because it educates the inductees on our history (as NCOs) and how important our role is as leaders,” said Staff Sgt. Lionel Williams, a cannon crewmember with Charlie Battery, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg., 2nd IBCT. “I think the induction also gives these new NCOs the passion, power and fire to lead their Soldiers by knowing they are now part of something bigger than themselves.”
Williams said he had the honor of sponsoring three Soldiers from his battery during the ceremony.
“It has been almost 11 years since I got inducted into the corps and at that time, I never really thought that one day it would be my turn to sponsor someone,” he said. “It’s an absolute honor to be able to sponsor and watch three amazing young leaders join our corps They are ready to take on that responsibility.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Sgt. 1st Class James Rien, a cannon crewmember with 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, addresses the audience Sept. 13, 2019, during a quarterly NCO induction ceremony at the Freedom Performing Arts Center at Fort Carson, Colo. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
Sgt. Elijah M. Mullins, a cannon crewmember with Charlie Battery, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg., 2nd IBCT, was among the Soldiers sponsored by Williams.
“As a young Soldier I looked up to NCOs,” Mullins said. “The first thing I noticed about NCOs was their competence, they knew a lot about the Army and knew how to do their job.”
Mullins added that he is excited for the new journey as an NCO.
“I want to lead from the front, I don’t want to be the guy that sits in the back corner and bosses people around,” said Mullins. “I (want) to sleep in the mud and do the dirty work with my Soldiers.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 1st Sgt. Justin C. Wiggins with Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, lights a candle Sept. 13, 2019, during a quarterly NCO induction ceremony at the Freedom Performing Arts Center at Fort Carson, Colo. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 1st Sgt. Michael Winters with Foxtrot Company, for 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, leads the NCO Creed Sept. 13, 2019, during a quarterly NCO induction ceremony at the Freedom Performing Arts Center at Fort Carson, Colo. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)