FORT BLISS, Texas – The U.S. Army Sergeant's Major Academy International Student Hall of Fame inducted seven more senior enlisted leaders, May 6, during a ceremony here.
"The induction," said Mr. Mike Huffman, director of USASMA's International Military Student Office, "recognizes international student graduates who have attained – through military merit – the highest positions within their respective nation's armed forces. Or those who have an equivalent position by rank or responsibility in a multi-national military organization."
Huffman said the new inductees demonstrated leadership abilities and mentorship indicative of the highest quality of non-commissioned officers.
"Their commitment to world peace and their contributions to the professionalism of their armed forces set as example for all non-commissioned officers to emulate," he said.
The seven new members of USASMA's International Student Hall of Fame are: Sergeant Major of the Afghan national army Roshan Safi; Sergeant Major of the armed forces of Bosnia Herzegovina Sergeant Major of the Army Mario Bagaric; Sergeant Major of the Canadian Land Forces Chief Warrant Officer Giovanni Moretti; Sergeant Major of the Croatian Armed Forces Command Sergeant Major Goran Turk; Sergeant Major of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakstan Master Sergeant Khalykov Temyrbek Myrzakhanovich; Malaysian Army Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer 1 Musa bin Haron; and Sergeant Major of the Armed Forces of Serbia Sergeant Major of the Armed Forces Goran Radic.
This is the second year in which students were named to the hall of fame. Last year three were inducted.
"This year's induction brings the total number of inductees to 10," said Huffman. "All candidates are vetted by a selection committee comprised of the commandant, deputy commandant, and the academy's chief of staff."
All inductees are presented with their official photograph and biographical sketch, which is an exact replica of their display in the Hall of Honor.
"Thank you very much for the dedicated honor and the confidence in selecting and entering me into the United States Sergeants Major Academy's International Student Hall of Fame," said Command Sgt. Maj. Goran Turk, in a letter to USASMA. "It is an honor to be recognized and placed in the Hall of Fame at the most prestigious NCO Academy in the world. What has fascinated me most in my career since coming to the academy in 2001, and makes me proud, is that together, NCOs from around the world openly share ideas, information and lessons learned in support of their national training systems, leadership, education, participation in international military operations and finally, to improve the overall development of professional NCO corps inside their respective armed forces."