ARLINGTON, Va. - A crowded meeting room at the Army National Guard Readiness Center here resounded with cheers and applause Jan. 16 when 37 sergeants and staff sergeants were inducted into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps.
Army Guard officials said the center's first Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony officially recognized the NCOs in their new capacities as leaders.
Before this event, the nearest induction ceremonies were held at nearby Fort Myer.
Col. Renwick Payne, the Army Guard's chief of staff, and Army Guard Command Sgt. Maj. John Gipe were among a host of leaders, guest speakers, fellow Soldiers, friends and family members who passed on good wishes and advice to the inductees. They also presented the NCOs with leadership coins and framed certificates of the Army's "Creed of the NCO" signed by Gipe.
Gipe, the Army Guard's highest ranking NCO, said he hoped the ceremony would become an annual or semi-annual tradition.
"Not that inducting NCOs is routine, but we want it to become routine so that we give every NCO the opportunity to take part in this ceremony," Gipe said. "We are getting these great NCOs, and we are doing things right to welcome them into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps."
During the ceremony the inducted NCOs, in dress uniforms, stood in ranks and held up their right hands to recite the Army's NCO Charge and the Creed of the NCO.
Noncommissioned officers are often called the "backbone of the U.S. Army." The NCO Corps includes the ranks of sergeant (E-5) to sergeant major (E-9). The NCO Corps' "Charge" is a statement confirming that NCOs have accepted their obligations as leaders. The Creed of the NCO states the definition, tradition and conduct of NCOs and also stresses proficiency, leadership and integrity among the qualities that define noncommissioned officers.  Â
Staff Sgt. Jack Simms was among the NCOs who recited both passages. He has worked at the center since 2005.
"Sometimes we can err in not following up on NCO traditions and should get back to the traditions of Soldiers," said Simms. "This is the first time I've seen this done in the years I've been here, and I'm ecstatic about it."
Calling the ceremony a right of passage, Gipe also reminded the NCOs that their promotions carry greater responsibilities.
"Noncommissioned officers are no longer just Soldiers, they are leaders of Soldiers," said Gipe. "Sometimes you may not have a large group of Soldiers that you are responsible for, but you have a huge amount of responsibility in your areas. Everything that we do here affects Soldiers down range." He also reminded the group that Readiness Center Soldiers can be sent out to lead at any time. Â
Near the end of the ceremony, Simms and the other NCOs, waited in ranks as each was called onto a stage to receive congratulatory words and handshakes from the Army Guard's senior leadership, including Army Guard Deputy Director Maj. Gen. James Nuttall.
Readiness Center Sgt. Maj. Sherry Simmons was credited with organizing the ceremony. She said she wanted to provide an official way to bring NCOs into the NCO corps and empower new NCOs with leadership tools as well as build camaraderie among them at the Center.
Sgt. Tamara Willcock was also inducted during the ceremony. She said she joined the District of Columbia Army Guard six months ago after completing an active duty enlistment, and she experienced similar NCO ceremonies during her active duty tour. "It's very good because it makes you feel that you're a part of the organization," said Willcock.