FORT MYER, Va. - The contributions of the noncommissioned officer were spotlighted in an elaborate NCO induction ceremony here at Conmy Hall today that included 13 National Guard members.
The event was part of the Year of the NCO initiative, which aims to enhance NCO education, fitness, leadership development and pride in service through the implementation of programs and policies that support the sustainment and growth of the NCO corps.
As Soldiers of the Old Guard conducted a pass-and-review in various vintage uniforms of the U.S. Army, a few of the Guard E-5s and E-6s took the opportunity to reflect on their time as sergeants and staff sergeants and what it meant to wear the stripes and rockers that symbolize their rank.
Some of the inductees wear the patch of the drill sergeant and introduce new recruits to the ways of the Army. Staff Sgt. Valerie Jones participated in Pennsylvania's pre-basic training program and then became an instructor at Warrior Leadership Course (WLC) in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
"I actually enjoyed it," said Jones of the program. "It prepared them for basic training - kind of takes the edge off it. They're not as scared going, because they already know what to expect. (It) kind of (gives) the answers to the test."
Jones then moved on to the WLC, where she stepped back, let the prospective NCOs take charge and watched the results. "We pretty much give them the tools to make the decisions," said Jones. "That's what they're going to be doing with their Soldiers when they get back to their unit."
Finally, Jones made the transition to administrative NCO at National Guard Bureau. Her new position gives her more of a chance to shape Soldiers.
"As an instructor, yes, you're responsible for them, but at the end of two weeks you get a new batch," Jones said. "Being a leader, you're constantly with that Soldier so you have more of an opportunity to mentor that Soldier to replace you as a leader."
Others, such as Sgt. Justin Wanat, did not get the opportunity to be mentored before taking charge. As a New York Army National Guard member, he volunteered for a deployment to Balad, Iraq in 2006-07 with the Texas National Guard.
When Wanat was promoted at the mobilization station prior to deployment, he found himself in charge of a group of tight-knit subordinates.
"I had never seen them before, so getting their respect and (getting them) to listen to me instead of the guy I replaced was challenging at first," he said. "But I grew accustomed to it a couple months into the deployment." He needed to earn their respect, and like any new leader, there were stumbling blocks along the way. "At first I was trying to be their friend," Wanat said. "I wanted them to like me more than trying to accomplish the mission. As soon as I figured that out, things fell more into place."
Mixing friendship with leadership was also the dilemma of Sgt. Danny Irizarry, a Guardmember from the Puerto Rico National Guard, who was promoted before his battle-buddy. The specialist tried to speak to the newly promoted sergeant the same way he did before, which Irizarry had to stop for the sake of the other Soldiers under his supervision.
"I said, 'It's not like we can't be friends. (But) in a job environment, now I need a little more respect,'" Irizarry said.
Despite their differing experiences, all of these Soldiers take their stripes seriously. At various points in rehearsal for the event, they took charge, helping each other with stray strings on uniforms, memorizing the NCO Charge and staying calm before the ceremony.
They had much to be nervous about. The ceremony was attended by the Gen. Craig McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau; as well as Command Sgt. Maj. David Ray Hudson, NGB's the senior enlisted advisor; Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and the Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston.
Platoons from the Revolutionary War, World War II, and the modern era took the floor for review, spanning the life of the U.S. Army and the NCO, before the Soldiers lined up with their active Army and Army Reserve counterparts to be inducted by Preston.
The guests of honor were impressed with the pomp and circumstance. "I've been in the Army 13 years," said Irizarry. "It's the first time they've had a ceremony for the NCO and saying 'Hey, I'm proud of you.'"
Wanat was glad to have a ceremony honoring his contributions. "Working at the National Guard Bureau, we see a lot of ceremonies recognizing senior officers," he said. "It's nice to see the junior NCOs get recognized as well."
To others, the history was the lesson to take away from the ceremony. "It just helps me remember we are a member of a time-honored tradition and it has been from day one NCOs leading the way," said Jones.