No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
This morning I had the pleasure of attending the Graduation Ceremony of the Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course Stand Alone Common Core 103-08. Wow. What a class act.
BNCOC is a two-phase course that trains soldiers the leadership traits and skill sets they will need to succeed. This class had six amazing individuals who graduated, four of whom were injured soldiers recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and two who were part of the cadre at WRAMC.
I want to start by thanking SFC Nelson for bringing this event to my attention. This guy is going places and just meeting him and shaking his hand you flat out know it. He’s of the Omar Bradley school of leadership, out front, positive outlook, amiable and incredibly competent. He’s also tougher then woodpecker lips from the look of him. (Sorry ladies, the man is married.)
The Guest Speaker was Sergeant Major of the Army Preston who I’ve met several times, and who always impresses me. He wouldn’t know me if he ran me over in his car, but he’s one of those people you just remember. SMA Preston has more medals and schools than I could put here, so just go read his bio here.
SFC Nelson challenged the students on their first day of training to “prove your abilities, versus any disabilities you might have.” It was quite clear that these weren’t wounded soldiers in this course, but warriors, who just also happened to have been wounded. One soldier had to be rushed to the Emergency Room twice during training because of heart problems. Another tore out stitches during the training. And yet they carried on, there is no quit in these people. “Cut and Run” is not only a mantra to Congress, it’s these soldiers mantra too, but in the sense that even if they are cut, bleeding or wounded in any manner, they’ll still be running to the front. Warriors, every one of them.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All Soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my Soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my Soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
The Members of the Graduating Class:
SSG Billy Brashears, Commandant’s List
SSG Renee Deville
SSG Warren Finch
SSG Dorthea Hooper
SSG Shad Lorenz
SSG Eric Sundell
Senior Small Group Leader: SFC Nelson
Small Group Leader: SFC Scully
All these troops are heroes, and I applaud all of them. SSG Deville completed the entire course in a wheelchair. As SMA Preston noted, just picture the difficulties in doing a left flank movement and trying to move around on your chair. SSG Hooper is the soldier who had stitches ripping while she went through the training. As for the males, if you will allow me a moment of snark, we all know that all jobs in the army are needed. But let’s be honest, there are truly only two MOS’s in the Army:
· 11B
· Wanna-be
All four males are our infantry brethren.
I haven’t figured out exactly why the JAG Corps is running this course (insert generic lawyer joke here) but I did have the pleasure of speaking with CSM Shannon Boyer who is the Commandant of the TJAGLCS (yeah, I don’t know about that acronym either) and was happy to see someone at the JAG school wearing our blue rifle with wreath signifying combat infantryman.
If you have a blog, steal the pics (once I get them up), post your own take, and you don’t need to direct anyone here. If you don’t have a blog, there is a very good chance that these troops will see what is written here, so how about throwing some attaboys into the comments.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!
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