Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Michael Behlin | Command Sgt. Major Willie Tennant, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) poses with...... read more read more
Subscribe
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – On August 20, Joint Base Balad held its Sergeant Audie Murphy Club board which decided non-commissioned officer induction into one of the Army's elite organizations.
Inducted into the SAMC were Staff Sgt. Tomekia Branch, 403rd Inland Cargo Transfer Co.; Staff Sgt. Michael Browley, 7th Sustainment Brigade; Staff Sgt. Pedro Garza, 14th Engineer Battalion; Staff Sgt. James Marston, 17th Field Artillery Regiment; and Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Edwards of the125th Military Mail Terminal.
The SAMC program is an elite organization of NCOs whose leadership achievements and performance merit special recognition.
The SAMC recognizes those NCOs who contribute significantly to the development of the professional NCO Corps and a combat ready Army. SAMC members exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of Soldiers and families of Soldiers.
"To me the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club represents an organization of NCOs who have clearly distinguished themselves from their peers," said Master Sgt. Elbert Jackson, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) command chaplain noncommissioned officer- in- charge and the unit's only SAMC member. "I remember back to when I was going through all the boards and processes to become a member of Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and I was a chaplain's assistant competing against drill sergeants. It made me feel really good to be able to compete against the best the Army has to offer and be successful at it."
Started in 1986 at Fort Hood, Texas, the SAMC is dedicated to improving its Soldiers and local communities by commitment, caring, mentoring and training. While just a Fort Hood entity at the time, the clubs founding members included Lt. Gen. Crosbie Saint, then III Corps commander, Command Sgt. Maj. George L. Horvath, then III Corps command sergeant major, Jean Crisp, Test and Experimentation Command award clerk, and Don Moore, a Killeen, Texas, artist. The SAMC expanded and became an Army wide organization in 1994.
The Club received its name after Sergeant Audie Murphy, who as a squad leader, consistently demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, professionalism and regard for the welfare of his Soldiers.
Murphy is known for being one of the most decorated United States combat Soldiers of World War II. His awards include the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest award for valor, and 32 additional medals which include awards from France and Belgium.
Induction into the club is a privilege few exceptional NCOs earn, which leads to a very rigorous process. NCOs serving in the Active Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard in the ranks of corporal through sergeant first class are eligible to compete.
Those interested will need a nomination from their commander, and must appear at an initial selection board and a final selection board. Jackson noted that while the process seems impossible, it could possibly become a reality for Soldiers wanting to join.
"The process may seem difficult and it's definitely not easy, but it can be done," said Jackson. "Many have been inducted into the club so Soldiers wanting to become members shouldn't let the process or any of the hype surrounding the process discourage them from striving for it."
For more information on the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club look up U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Regulation 600-14 and U.S. Army Forces Command Regulation 215-7.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2008 08:37 |
| Story ID: | 22882 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 324 |
| Downloads: | 189 |
This work, Soldiers selected for Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, by SFC Michael Behlin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT