 Every non-commissioned officer has a moment where they come to realize the importance of their job and the impact they have as leaders. For these NCOs, that time is now. The First Infantry Division hosted a non-commissioned officer induction ceremony here at the Kansas State Alumni Center. The NCO induction ceremony was the second major event of the Big Red One year of the NCO. The year of the NCO is a year-long campaign dedicated to the division's NCOs. It cultivates ownership through the division and develops the next generation of leaders. Right, we now have the white hand of the letter C, which represents the present and the period. Before we can be an NCO who are owning it every day and before we can have strong co-leaders of teams, every single one of us must first be great teammates. Every NCO inducted is meant to walk through the arch. Passing beneath the arch symbolizes the right of passage into the core, taking on the role of the NCO. The passage into the NCO core has a different meaning to everyone who undergoes it. Honestly, I was nervous, but I'm very, very proud of what and how I've overcome being in lower enlisted to get to the spot. It took a ton of hard work, and I'm so happy that I'm here. The induction was one of many signature events of the Big Red One year of the NCO. For more information, go to 1id.army.mil or Google Big Red One year of the NCO. Army Sergeant Jared Simmons, Manhattan, Kansas.