1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team “Glory’s Guns” formally inducted 41 sergeants to the corps of non-commissioned officers April 18th, 2019, at Club Stewart. The ceremony was held to honor the past and present non-commissioned officers and highlight the distinction of the corps of non-commissioned officers throughout the Army.
Command Sgt. Maj. Rickey G. Jackson, the 1-41 Command Sgt. Maj., hosted the ceremony. Jackson emphasized the role of the NCO induction ceremony traditions and said that past, present, and future leaders should never forget the importance of the corps of non-commissioned officers.
“The importance of recognizing the transition from just one of the guys or gals to a non-commissioned officer should be shared among the superiors, peers, and Soldiers of the newly promoted,” said Jackson.
Jackson enlisted in the Army in 1995 and was recently selected to be the 1st Infantry Division Artillery Command Sergeant Major. Jackson said his main piece of advice for the new sergeants is to remember the responsibility they have towards their junior Soldiers.
“It’s important to know they will be charged with leading America’s men and women through everyday life as a Soldier,” said Jackson.
America’s non-commissioned officers can trace their roots back to colonial America. Baron Frederick von Steuben established the standards for selecting and promoting colonial Soldiers to sergeant through the regimental commander. This four-part process is still honored today, however, we no longer require the exchange of goods, but we do require the exchange of knowledge and recognition of this promotion to sergeant in front of their peers.
Sgt. Quinton Gundolf, a fire support specialist from the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, was one of the newly inducted sergeants.
“It feels good to have something to symbolize the transition from a Soldier to a non-commissioned officer,” said Gundolf. “It’s a good feeling to know I am a leader and I can have a positive impact on Soldiers and guide them through life.”
The crown jewel of the ceremony is when the inductees walk through the chevron laden arches and under the swords to cement the right of passage into the corps of the non-commissioned officers.
Once all the inductees walked through the arches, the ceremony was made official with the reciting of the Creed of the Non-Commissioned Officer. This act formally welcomed them to the corps and affirmed that they are now officially part of the backbone of the Army.
