Year of the NCO Commentary: 'Do You Know the NCO Creed?'

The spotlight blinded me, but I lost all the fear and anxiety that just moments ago overwhelmed me. It was as if the uniform shielded me from anything negative.

I never felt this before, as if I were the highest ranking person - not only in the room - but in the entire building.

I continued on with the reciting of the creed: "I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a Leader of Soldiers..."

At that moment I began to simultaneously reflect on all the Soldiers who have been under my direct leadership, and then continued with the creed.

"As a noncommissioned officer, I realize that I am a member of a time-honored Corps, known as "The Backbone of the Army."

By the time I reached the second paragraph, the creed was no longer being recited but spoken as a testimony because I could not stop thinking about how these words apply to me.

To this very moment, I honestly do not know exactly how I looked or sounded to that particular audience. But I do know this. I had to dig deep within myself and apply a key Army value called personal courage which enabled me to march across that stage in front of more than 700 people and open my mouth. I told myself that I would never simply recite the NCO Creed again because I must speak it from my personal experience.

I sincerely appreciate my leadership for being able to see something in me which I had not. If I have made anyone proud it is only because, while standing on that stage, I reflected on the many Soldiers who have made me proud. Leaders, let's continue to put Soldiers first.

This is still the "Year of the NCO" - Train to Lead, Lead to Train, NCOs Make it Happen.