Subscribe
By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne. Division
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Four Rakkasans from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, have been selected for induction into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club since the brigade arrived in Iraq.
After a series of grueling boards at the battalion, brigade and division levels, these noncommissioned officers proved themselves to be the caliber of Soldier the board members sought.
Sergeant First Class Anthony Crisostomo, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment; Staff Sgt. Johnny White, HHC, 3rd Special Troops Battalion; Staff Sgt. Benjamin Richards, Company A, 626th Brigade Support Battalion; and Staff Sgt. Amos Sward, HHC, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div., were recommended.
"I think the Audie Murphy Club is a prestigious club made up of NCOs who wanted to be part of something great," White said. "The Army in itself is a great institution, but within any organization there are a few people who like to set themselves apart; the Audie Murphy Club presents that opportunity."
Sward likened the selection into the prestigious board to the Expert Infantryman Badge.
"It is an individual accomplishment that says a lot about your character," he said.
The general consensus of the inductees is that studying could not be limited to just a few areas, and personal experience counts for a lot.
"Unlike other boards, you can't just know the answer," Sward said. "You have to know the regulation and how to apply it."
In a deployed environment, the operational tempo is generally higher than usual, the duty hours are longer and can be unpredictable, making personal time limited. Under these conditions, time management and self discipline are key in preparing for the board.
While it is indeed a challenge, the selectees encourage others to take part in the board.
"The process ... is very rewarding whether you make it the first time or not. You learn so much," White said. "It forces you to read deeply into different regulations and manuals, (and) it opens your eyes to a lot of things."
The Rakkasans' senior-enlisted member is especially proud of his Soldiers.
"I congratulate these outstanding NCOs for this huge accomplishment," said Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Patton, 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. command sergeant major. "Being selected for induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is truly an honor, especially while serving with Sergeant Audie Murphy's own historic 3rd Infantry Division."
An induction ceremony will be held at a later date.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2008 15:46 |
| Story ID: | 19481 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 353 |
| Downloads: | 286 |
This work, Four Rakkasans selected for Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, by SFC Kerensa Hardy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT