Unit welcomes growth of Army ‘backbone’: 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade holds rite of passage for new noncommissioned officers

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Tamika Dillard
  • 3rd MEB PAO
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  "Raise your right hand and repeat after me!" shouted 1st Sgt. Chadwick Pennington, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, "I will discharge carefully and diligently the duties of the grade to which I have been promoted and uphold the traditions and standards of the Army!"

More than 30 Soldiers of the 3rd MEB, responded with thunderous voices: "As a noncommissioned officer, I accept the charge to observe and follow the orders and directions given by supervisor acting according to the laws, articles and rules governing the discipline of the 
Army."

New NCOs from each of 3rd MEB's battalions were formally inducted into the corps of noncommissioned officers Feb. 4, in an NCO induction ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's post theater.

"The tradition of the induction ceremony is a passage used by senior NCOs to convey to newly promoted sergeants the special pride, and sense of esteem felt when a young Soldier enters the NCO Corps," said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Williams, induction narrator. "This ceremony gives them their first experience of the pride and respect that goes along with being a member of the NCO Corps."

Command Sgt. Maj. David Turnbull, United States Army Alaska's top noncommissioned officer, was the guest speaker of the ceremony and gave the inductees words of encouragement and emphasized the importance of becoming an NCO.

"After almost 10 years of war, we are most certainly skilled, trained and extremely well-experienced," Turnbull said. "Each of you has proven to be an expert in your field. That rank on your uniform ID's you as a professional."

According to www.armystudyguide.com, the tradition of commemorating a promotion into the NCO ranks dates to the time of Fredrick the Great of Prussia when Soldiers in his army were required to stand several watches. On the last watch, a special presentation marked their promotion.

"This is a golden opportunity for us as senior leaders and NCOs to continue to push the tradition of our Army," said Command Sgt. Maj. Charlie Lane, 3rd MEB command sergeant major. "One of greatest traditions is to bring that young noncommissioned officer into the fold."

When Army NCOs are promoted to corporal or sergeants, they step into another realm, Lane said. They are acknowledged as leaders and many become the authority at the first level of a Soldier's chain of command.

"I think it's an outstanding honor to be inducted into the NCO Corps," said Sgt. Camilia Hall, HHC, 3rd MEB, one of the inductees.

Newly promoted and inducted Sgt. Chad Dailey said, I think it's important that we hold on to the traditions of the NCO corps.

"The new noncommissioned officer sets the tone for the performance of any unit," said Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Cook, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (Provisional).

"That sergeant is that first line that affects everything we do," Cook said. "You can do all kinds of things in the Army, but without that small unit being able to function in a disciplined proficient manner, you have nothing. Without that sergeant there, nothing works."