103rd Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Spc. Britney Bodner
06.19.2010 Thirty-eight recently promoted corporals and sergeants were inducted into the Non-commissioned Officers Corps, June 12, in the atrium of the palace that houses United States Forces-Iraq J4 on Camp Victory.
Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Livengood, III Corps Special Troops Battalion command sergeant major, welcomed the new NCOs to a unique induction ceremony.
During the induction ceremony, senior NCOs presented the history of the non-commissioned officer and the origins of the Soldier’s rite of passage into the corps to the new NCOs.
“What we wanted to do was go back to
the grassroots,” Livengood said, “We wanted to literally live the history of commemorating the passing of a Soldier into the NCO Corps.”
“The NCO induction actually goes back quite a few years and it has a lot of tradition,” said 1st Sgt. Michael French, of Headquarters Support Company III Corps STB. “This isn’t just about the NCOs today, it’s also about the NCOs of the past and what they’ve done.”
Sgt.Natasha Nevius, security manager for Task Force Phantom, said being a part of the NCO induction was very personal.
“My grandfather is a bronze star veteran with two purple hearts. Being inducted into the ranks of the NCOs I know makes him very proud of me,” Nevius said.
The tradition of the rite of passage into the NCO Corps can be traced as far back as the early 1700s and the army of Fredrick the Great in Prussia. Before a Soldier was recognized as an NCO, they were required to stand four watches, one each day.
This ceremony recreated the origins of that tradition.
French led two Soldiers to the front of the atrium and inspected them to make sure they were ready for the watch. He then assigned them to guard the arch that newly promoted NCOs would pass through during the ceremony.
Spc. Mario-Joshua Sabido, one of the individuals posted to the guard, represented the Soldier who would stand the four watches before being recognized as an NCO.
Spc. Greg Lejune, a system operator for the STB, brought Sabido a cup of juice to symbolize brandy and some bread that Soldiers once brought as gifts for their soon-to-be promoted peers.
Lejune read the Soldier’s Request, which asks newly promoted NCOs to respect, train, and prepare junior Soldiers for the day when they too will become sergeants.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Fox, an NCO in Sabido’s company, was the next to visit. He presented to Sabido a non-alcoholic malt drink representing the second gift of beer and tobacco.
Fox, who works in operations, read the NCO Creed to Sabido, emphasizing the role of the NCO as “The Backbone of the Army.”
French, was the last to approach. He carried a glass of juice, symbolizing the gift of wine, and a tin plate of tobacco. He took the moment to share NCO wisdom about leadership, knowing Sabido may one day have to send Soldiers into harm’s way.
French directed Sabido to stand beneath the arch, symbolizing his fourth and final watch. French then promoted Sabido to the rank of sergeant, making him the newest NCO in III Corps.
Livengood said it was fortunate Sabido was able to be promoted at this event.
“We were able to live the history these induction ceremonies are based on instead of running through a checklist,” Livengood said.
After Sabido’s promotion, Livengood called on the first sergeants of STB to announce the Soldiers who were to be inducted. The new NCOs rose and came to attention as their names were called.
Once they were all on their feet, the new corporals and sergeants passed through the arch and into the NCO Corps.
“It gives you a sense of pride to be able to walk through that arch with everybody clapping for you in recognition for our hard work,” Nevius said.
Sabido said standing the four watches for his promotion is something he will always remember.
“I liked this because it showed different portions of history,” Sabido said. “I honestly didn’t know there was so much history behind becoming an NCO.”
Nevius said that remembering our traditions keeps Soldiers grounded and reminds new NCOs that the Army will always rely on its corporals and sergeants to get things done.
“The NCO induction actually goes back quite a few years and it has a lot of tradition,” said 1st Sgt. Michael French, of Headquarters Support Company III Corps STB. “This isn’t just about the NCOs today, it’s also about the NCOs of the past and what they’ve done.”
Sgt.Natasha Nevius, security manager for Task Force Phantom, said being a part of the NCO induction was very personal.
“My grandfather is a bronze star veteran with two purple hearts. Being inducted into the ranks of the NCOs I know makes him very proud of me,” Nevius said.
The tradition of the rite of passage into the NCO Corps can be traced as far back as the early 1700s and the army of Fredrick the Great in Prussia. Before a Soldier was recognized as an NCO, they were required to stand four watches, one each day.
This ceremony recreated the origins of that tradition.
French led two Soldiers to the front of the atrium and inspected them to make sure they were ready for the watch. He then assigned them to guard the arch that newly promoted NCOs would pass through during the ceremony.
Spc. Mario-Joshua Sabido, one of the individuals posted to the guard, represented the Soldier who would stand the four watches before being recognized as an NCO.
Spc. Greg Lejune, a system operator for the STB, brought Sabido a cup of juice to symbolize brandy and some bread that Soldiers once brought as gifts for their soon-to-be promoted peers.
Lejune read the Soldier’s Request, which asks newly promoted NCOs to respect, train, and prepare junior Soldiers for the day when they too will become sergeants.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Fox, an NCO in Sabido’s company, was the next to visit. He presented to Sabido a non-alcoholic malt drink representing the second gift of beer and tobacco.
Fox, who works in operations, read the NCO Creed to Sabido, emphasizing the role of the NCO as “The Backbone of the Army.”
French, was the last to approach. He carried a glass of juice, symbolizing the gift of wine, and a tin plate of tobacco. He took the moment to share NCO wisdom about leadership, knowing Sabido may one day have to send Soldiers into harm’s way.
French directed Sabido to stand beneath the arch, symbolizing his fourth and final watch. French then promoted Sabido to the rank of sergeant, making him the newest NCO in III Corps.
Livengood said it was fortunate Sabido was able to be promoted at this event.
“We were able to live the history these induction ceremonies are based on instead of running through a checklist,” Livengood said.
After Sabido’s promotion, Livengood called on the first sergeants of STB to announce the Soldiers who were to be inducted. The new NCOs rose and came to attention as their names were called.
Once they were all on their feet, the new corporals and sergeants passed through the arch and into the NCO Corps.
“It gives you a sense of pride to be able to walk through that arch with everybody clapping for you in recognition for our hard work,” Nevius said.
Sabido said standing the four watches for his promotion is something he will always remember.
“I liked this because it showed different portions of history,” Sabido said. “I honestly didn’t know there was so much history behind becoming an NCO.”
Nevius said that remembering our traditions keeps Soldiers grounded and reminds new NCOs that the Army will always rely on its corporals and sergeants to get things done.
Stumble It!
