[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23476]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS WHO SERVE OUR NATION IN THE U.S. ARMY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SPENCER BACHUS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2009

  Mr. BACHUS. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride and admiration that 
I rise today to honor the Non-Commissioned Officers from the great 
state of Alabama who serve our Nation in the United States Army.
  NCOs from the my state have served in defense of our freedoms, in 
support of our democracy, and in service to the citizens of the state 
of Alabama during times of natural disasters and to our Nation in times 
of national emergencies at home and abroad.
  Since 9/11, Army Reservists from Alabama have deployed over 6,000 
times and members of the Alabama Army National Guard have made over 
15,000 deployments to the Global War on Terror, many for the second, 
third, and fourth time.
  The U.S. Army has designated 2009 as the ``Year of the NCO'' to pay 
tribute to the leadership qualities and contributions of the Non-
Commissioned Officers charged with executing the military 
organization's mission and training for personnel and equipment 
maintenance that make their units function. Those values are embodied 
in the NCO Creed, which reads:

       No one is more professional than I. I am a Non-Commissioned 
     Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Non-Commissioned Officer, 
     I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which 
     is known as `The Backbone of the Army'. I am proud of the 
     Corps of Non-Commissioned Officers and will at all times 
     conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the 
     Military Service and my country regardless of the situation 
     in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position 
     to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety;
       Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities 
     will always be uppermost in my mind--accomplishment of my 
     mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to 
     remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of 
     my role as a Non-Commissioned Officer. I will fulfill my 
     responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are 
     entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that 
     leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their 
     needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my 
     soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and 
     impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment;
       Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish 
     their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will 
     earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my 
     soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; 
     seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise 
     initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of 
     orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral 
     courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to 
     forget that we are professionals, Non-Commissioned Officers, 
     leaders!

  It is an honor to draw attention to these brave soldiers, and I 
commend Alabama's Army Non-Commissioned Officers for their service to 
our State and the Nation.

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