SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras –
Joint Task Force-Bravo and the Armed Forces of Honduras hosted the second Multinational Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ceremony at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, Aug. 23, 2024.
Over 110 U.S. Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Honduran Army, Navy and Air Force service members were officially inducted into the NCO corps. This was the first time, the Multinational NCO Induction Ceremony included all branches of the Armed Forces of Honduras.
“I look back on my journey to becoming a NCO,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Reynaldo Soto, Puerto Rico National Guard’s senior enlisted leader and guest speaker. "I have been where you are now, feeling the weight of responsibility, but also the immense pride of earning the rank of noncommission officer."
The Multinational NCO Induction Ceremony represented a formal rite of passage for the newly promoted junior enlisted entering into the professional NCO corps.
During the ceremony, each inductee signed their names into the custom-made NCO registry to foster pride and leave a legacy behind.
Honduran Air Force Jefe Mayor Victor Izaguirre Granados, Soto Cano Air Base’s Senior Enlisted Leader, was selected to be esteemed as the “Order of Honoree” for the NCO registry for his efforts that blazed the trail for the first-ever Multinational NCO Induction Ceremony on Feb. 9, 2024.
“The NCO registry is a centerpiece of history that allows NCOs of the past, present and future to sign their names into a tangible artifact, displaying pride for future generations,” said Izaguirre.
Izaguirre and Harris both presided over the ceremony as the highest-ranking enlisted members at Soto Cano Air Base.
U.S. military representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Honduras attended the ceremony along with U.S. and Honduras military leaders, who witnessed the traditional candle lighting ceremony. The three candles symbolize the NCO corps past sacrifices, present contributions and future commitments.
“These NCOs are preparing our future leaders,” said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Harris, JTF-Bravo’s senior enlisted leader. “They are mentoring enlisted members to be motivated, disciplined and to continue serving their nation with pride.”
To officially be inducted, the service members recited the NCO Creed, a guide for NCOs on the values and responsibilities they are inheriting.
JTF-Bravo and the Armed Forces of Honduras are making history together by passing along these principles of service to the next generation of committed NCOs.