Photo by Marny Malin
Newly inducted NCOs from the 1st Information Operations Command recite the NCO Charge at Wood Theater Dec. 3.
Rounding out the Year of the Noncommissioned Officer, the 1st Information Operations Command welcomed eight new sergeants in its first NCO induction ceremony Thursday at Wood Theater. The 1st IOC is part of the Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir.
Members of the 1st IOC welcomed Sgts. Joshua Berry, Elizabeth Bernert, Gerald Greer, Beckie McCumbers, Michael Mathieson, Taylor Michel, Winona Proctor and David Schuyler into the corps.
Sgt. Major Christopher Robles, sergeant major of 1st IOC, spoke at the event.
He pointed out the importance these new NCOs will serve in completing our military’s mission.
“NCOs are valued assets to the success of our mission and our accomplishments,” Robles said. “Their training, education and experience they have gained truly make our Army smarter and more knowledgeable.”
Robles defined leadership as the process of influencing people by providing purpose, production and motivation.
“Leadership also requires us as NCOs to take care of our most precious resource, the men and women of the Army. They are our purpose and our business,” Robles said. “As NCOs, Soldiers are a reflection of our leadership and your objective should be teamwork and pride. There is nothing greater than training and caring for a future leader.
“Do not forget where you came from. You too have received training, education and experience from your NCOs as you came through the ranks,” Robles said.
Robles advised the new NCOs to listen to their senior NCOs for guidance while they take care of their Soldiers.
After Robles’ speech each NCO was formerly inducted into the corps.
To close the ceremony, Robles invoked the NCO Charge, which was followed by the recitation of the NCO Creed.
