Carson soldiers join noncommissioned officer ranks

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Twenty-three sergeants from Fort Carson's 4th Brigade Support Battalion (Task Force 'Packhorse'), 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were inducted into the noncommissioned officer corps during a ceremony May 14 at Forward Operating Base Walton in Kandahar City, the Army said in a release.

The inducation ceremony symbolizes the transition from being part of a closely supervised team to becoming a leader of soldiers.

"Noncommissioned officers play a very vital role in the continued defense of our nation," said Command Sgt. Maj. Albert V. Nelson, guest speaker for the ceremony.

"As a military force that is at war, we are growing a more experienced leader than ever before," he said. "Even knowing that the stakes are impossibly high, our noncommissioned officers continue to lead from the front during this fight."