Inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ruck March

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brian Lummus
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  

The 17th Training Wing hosted the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ruck March to formally honor all service members transitioning into the enlisted leadership corps at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March, 5.

The ruck march started at the Parade Field and wrapped around the base’s perimeter with 7 stations along the 4 mile route to challenge participants with professional development exercises. Exercises included discussing the NCO Creed, how to become an expert in their career, utilize a team, lead by example, lead in wartime, handle personnel problems, understand unit cohesion and execute the intent of their chain of command. At the end of the ruck, groups participants were challenged on everything they learned along the way.

Chief Master Sgt. Stefan Blazier, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance senior enlisted leader, gave closing remarks to the new staff sergeant selects at the end of the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Blazier talked about his time as a staff sergeant and what the new staff sergeant selects should expect as future NCOs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ruck March

Chief Master Sgt. Stefan Blazier, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance senior enlisted leader, gave closing remarks to the new staff sergeant selects at the end of the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Blazier talked about his time as a staff sergeant and what the new staff sergeant selects should expect as future NCOs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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Lastly, Chief Master Sgt. Stefan Blazier, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance senior enlisted leader, was invited to talk with the NCO inductees and share advice on being in the enlisted leadership corps.

“Don’t be a sideline warrior; you have to be the one who takes ownership and takes action,” expressed Blazier. “You have the opportunity of doing things the right way instead of telling someone else what they need to do, so you have to live that example through your actions.”

 

Participants run towards the finish line during the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Senior enlisted personnel waited at the end of the ruck to congratulate the new NCOs for finishing the ruck. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ruck March

Participants run towards the finish line during the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Senior enlisted personnel waited at the end of the ruck to congratulate the new NCOs for finishing the ruck. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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Volunteers at station 2 pose for a group photo during the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Volunteers at station 2 added weight to one participant’s ruck to symbolize bearing the weight of being a NCO and how to seek guidance for it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ruck March

Volunteers at station 2 pose for a group photo during the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Volunteers at station 2 added weight to one participant’s ruck to symbolize bearing the weight of being a NCO and how to seek guidance for it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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Participants take a knee at station 5 during the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Volunteers manned stations along the trail for participants to learn about what it means to be a NCO and how to handle certain situations as a NCO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ruck March

Participants take a knee at station 5 during the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Volunteers manned stations along the trail for participants to learn about what it means to be a NCO and how to handle certain situations as a NCO. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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Chief Master Sgt. Derek Neill, 17th Training Wing command chief, gave opening remarks before the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Neill spoke on the roles and responsibilities NCOs have in developing junior Airmen in today’s Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)

Inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Induction Ruck March

Chief Master Sgt. Derek Neill, 17th Training Wing command chief, gave opening remarks before the inaugural Noncommissioned Officer Ruck March at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, March 5, 2026. Neill spoke on the roles and responsibilities NCOs have in developing junior Airmen in today’s Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian Lummus)
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