Story and photo by Spc. William A. Joeckel, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C BAGHDAD—Soldiers with 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center held an induction ceremony welcoming its newest young leaders into the noncommissioned officer corps Aug. 26.The Army’s NCO corps is steeped in history, and was created at the very dawn of the nation’s history with the Continental Army in 1775.The NCO is the first trainer, mentor, and leader of a new Soldier and is ultimately responsible for developing Soldiers into leaders. Becoming a member of the NCO corps is a rite of passage that junior Soldiers who wear the uniform can strive for.“There has never been a doubt in anyone’s eyes that the NCO corps is truly the backbone of our Army,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Evans, command sergeant major of 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. and a Columbia, S.C., native.For Evans, a 22-year veteran of the Army, it is critical to honor the rite of passage for his newest NCOs in the battalion. He and fellow senior NCOs developed a ceremony that would not only welcome the newest members, but also illustrate the importance of the duties and responsibilities they now have as leaders in the Army.       “The induction ceremony honored the 69 noncommissioned officers who have been promoted since our arrival in [Iraq],” Evans said. “It’s about traditions, good order, and discipline within an organization, [and] we truly have that here in the ‘Vanguard Nation.’”Not only must an NCO lead their Soldiers into battle, they must also develop their Soldiers and assist them in all personal and professional matters. They set an example for lower-enlisted Soldiers to follow.Many of the NCOs in the ‘Vanguard’ Battalion attribute their drive to be leaders due to the hard work and diligence of their own leaders. To lower-enlisted Soldiers, squad leaders, team leaders, and platoon sergeants are highly respected due to their experience and the example they set.“It is nice to be a part of a ceremony like this one and to be recognized by our senior NCOs as junior leaders that they feel have the potential to one day be able to fill the shoes that they have occupied,” said Sgt. Joshua Bice, a targeting noncommissioned officer and a Tulia, Texas, native.The senior NCOs took pride in the induction of new junior leaders because it reminded them of the days when they were new NCOs.“It was a pleasure then, and it was a pleasure today, conducting such a ceremony for these Soldiers,” Evans said. “It’s a rite of passage where they are charged with the overall responsibility and care of their Soldiers.”For Bice, who has served on two deployments with the Dagger Brigade, being inducted in the NCO corps is a testament to the leadership principles he has learned, as well as the drive to train and lead Soldiers and help them to reach their potential.“We are able to guide Soldiers and set the example for them by doing the right thing, living by the Army Values, and earning their respect as well as giving respect,” said Bice.Instilling pride in NCO corps enables these future leaders to realize their responsibilities as they continue their career in the Army, continuing the chain of competence and professionalism that is the hallmark of the corps.“I look forward to taking what I have learned from other NCOs and passing it on to my Soldiers so that one day I may attend their NCO induction ceremony and welcome them into the corps,” said Bice.