ds, caring for Soldiers, supporting unit officers and playing key roles in the accomplishment of missions. In 1775, the Army used distinctive insignia of grade in order to set NCOs apart from other enlisted Soldiers, a practice that is still used today.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Garcia, state command sergeant major, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony and spoke about the importance and meaning of NCOs and their role in the New Mexico National Guard. During his speech, Garcia stressed that being a good leader is a process and the induction ceremony signified a career milestone for these eleven NCOs. Garcia urged the new sergeants to utilize the senior NCOs in the room for guidance throughout their journey as NCOs.
The company first sergeants took turns leading the inductees in reciting the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer.
With every NCO in the Battalion watching, Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Taylor, 615th Transportation Battalion Command Sergeant Major, issued the Charge of the NCO to the new inductees, officially inducting them into the NCO Corps. Taylor explained that by signing the Charge to the Noncommissioned Officer, they would agree to take the responsibilities of sergeants and accept the command sergeant major’s expectations for them.
Each inductee was giving a one-year membership to the Enlisted Association along with a copy of the NCO Creed signed by Taylor and themselves.
Garcia presented his challenge coin to Taylor for organizing the ceremony.
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