Newest leaders welcomed to the corps

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Joining the ranks of the “backbone” of the Army is a major milestone in a Soldier’s career.

As Soldiers move from subordinate to supervisor, a sergeants’ main responsibility is to mentor, coach, and teach.

Enlisted leaders officially inducted 43 Soldiers from the 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps at a ceremony on Forward Operating Base Salerno Oct. 29.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Drew Pumarejo, of Harrisburg, Pa., with thirty years of experience, spoke to the importance of the NCO corps and the role it plays in today’s Army.

Sgt. Fiona Rivers, of Brooklyn, N.Y., an automated logistics specialist, said she was inspired by her father, who served as a NCO, as well as other NCOs in her workplace.

“NCOs need constant training in order to remain knowledgeable, technically and tactically proficient so to provide guidance to their Soldiers and to always follow the NCO creed,” she said. “It was my Soldiers that drive me to continue striving to be the best NCO.”

When working with Soldiers, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Lujan Williams, from Rome, Ga., knows all too well what they need.

“We should always keep our professionalism and exercise the tenets of the Army Values, because Soldiers watch what we do,” said Williams. “We want to set the example and inspire them to do the same as the opportunity will soon present itself to them.”

The newly inducted corporals and sergeants return to their units as the first-line of leadership; charged with mentoring and developing young Soldiers. The NCO induction ceremony, both professional and powerful, welcomed the newest NCOs and challenged them to live up to the creeds they committed to memory.