FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
NCOs of the 24th Transportation Battalion "Leaders" took time to pay homage to what is commonly referred to as "The backbone of the Army" by hosting an NCO induction ceremony Oct. 13 at Jacobs Theater.
The group of 42 inductees with a combined 316 years of service walked across the stage to receive a certificate recognizing them as leaders and to make the ceremonious march through the NCO arch decorated with the rank of corporal to command sergeant major. Their sponsors, a group of seven senior NCOs, stood in attendance welcoming each inductee into the corps.
1st Sgt. Jade M.W. James, acting command sergeant major, 24th Trans. Bn., and ceremony host, introduced guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Willie C. Tennant, Sr., command sergeant major, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Knox, Ky.
The Michael Jackson song "Man in the Mirror" played as Tennant readied himself at the podium, offering the appropriate lead for his opening remarks.
"Take a look at the Soldier in the mirror," he challenged. "Ask yourself, 'are you a good person, a good Soldier, a good leader? Are you going to make a change in the life of your Soldiers?'"
During his address, Tennant shared the obstacles and successes of his career, and asked the inductees and audience to remember the Soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. To remember those we've lost he said, "Think about them when you're having a bad day." He closed his speech with three questions directed at the inductees - questions, he said, he asks himself at the start of each day.
"What will I teach my Soldiers today; what have I learned from yesterday; and, do I truly "know" my Soldiers and their families?"
The ceremony ended with NCOs, both on stage and in the audience, reciting the NCO Creed, and singing the 3rd ESC Song, the Transportation Song and the Army Song.