It is not a stretch to say that noncommissioned officers are the bonding element that holds the Army — and its family members — together.

Just ask Sgt. 1st Class Victoria Lischalk, the soldier who oversees the Remote Warrior Care Program for the Warrior Transition Battalion, or WTB.

“This mission is 24/7 in looking after the wounded warriors here,” said the 20-year veteran from Michigan.

Working with the WTB since May 2008, Lischalk has had to work with eight families who have lost loved ones.

For her, the service she renders is rooted in the word selflessness.

“For me, this is the most important reason for serving here in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company at the WTB,” commented Lischalk. “All of the Army’s core values are linked together. If you break one, you break the entire chain.”

The chain of service, which exemplifies Lischalk’s attitude, began with two of her brothers-in-law.

“I saw the great pride they took in serving; one of them served for over 40 years,” she added proudly.

Lischalk recently reenlisted for another six years.

“I’m not sure what I will do after this term,” she said with a smile.

But one thing is for sure; she will continue to serve in order to make sure that the Army remains a tightly knit, cohesive branch of service.

“It is great to be able to serve — for both your family and the country,” said Lischalk. “It is important to remember that you are here for a reason, and part of that for me is the pride I feel when I help these wounded warriors and their family members.”

This sounds like a bond that will not be broken as long as there are NCOs like Lischalk.