From left: Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Thompson IV, 10th Mountain Division Artillery senior enlisted adviser and guest speaker for the NCO induction ceremony, shares some of his experiences as a noncommissioned officer, Sept. 14, 2023, in the Fort Drum Multipurpose Auditorium. First Sgt. Adrian Doerfer of the 510th Human Resource Company lights a ceremonial candle during the NCO induction ceremony. Each candle represents a different quality that an NCO must possess; the blue candle represents honesty. Cpl. David Lewis, II, a Soldier in the 226th Signal Company, pauses as he walks through the NCO arch. Passing through the NCO arch signifies the path that a Soldier has taken to become an NCO. (U.S. Army Photos by Sgt. Alexander Kelsall, 10th MDSB Public Affairs Office)
10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade inducts newest members into NCO Corps
Sgt. Alexander Kelsall
10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Sept. 14, 2023) – The journey to becoming a noncommissioned officer is often a long and arduous one. For Soldiers of the 10th Division Sustainment Troops Battalion, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, a figurative weight was lifted off their shoulders Sept. 14 as they passed through the NCO arch inducting them into the Noncommissioned Officer Corps.
The ceremony, held at the installation's Multipurpose Auditorium, is used to uphold the tradition of excellence that comes with the position of an NCO. Recognizing 35 NCOs were the friends, families, and leaders of the individuals.
“Those that understand what the NCO Corps does pays that service right back in full. It's what makes the difference in our Army versus every other army in the world,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Thompson IV, 10th Mountain Division Artillery senior enlisted adviser and guest speaker for the ceremony. “What makes our Army the greatest Army in the world is our noncommissioned officers.”
The ceremony culminated as the newly promoted NCOs walked through an arch that had all NCO insignias displayed on it. As each individual walked through the arch, he or she was greeted by Thompson and presented with a framed certificate with the NCO Creed. After all inductees passed through the arch and returned to their seats, all NCOs in the auditorium recited the NCO Creed.
Cpl. David Lewis II, a member of 226th Signal Company, 10th DSTB, said he reminisced on his time as a junior Soldier as he walked through the arch.
“Walking through the archway, it felt great,” Lewis said. “It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.” He added that it made him appreciate where he is now and how much work he has had to put in to get there.
Thompson closed the ceremony by reminding the NCOs in the audience not to have the fear of failure stop them from developing their own leadership style.
“Remember this, ladies and gentlemen: if there is a test, there is an answer,” he said.