Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Christopher L. Dyer, left, a senior observer-coach/trainer with 1st...... read more read more
By Staff Sgt. Tony Foster
Division West Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas — After months of preparation, one Division West noncommissioned officer joined the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, March 31.
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher L. Dyer, a senior observer-coach/trainer with 1st Battalion, 393rd Infantry Regiment, 479th Field Artillery Brigade, spent long hours and sacrificed much to attain the title of SAMC member.
“I felt happiness and relief after I found out I was selected,” said Dyer. “I was happy to have gone through the process and relieved to have accomplished my goal.”
The road to the SAMC was filled with rigorous tasks for Dyer. Would he not only have to take a written exam, physical fitness test, write a 700-word essay, but also prove to a panel of senior enlisted leaders, that he embodied the standards and spirit of the elite club.
“The club shows how professional we are,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick K. Akuna Jr., Division West command sergeant major. “It’s about building the next generation of noncommissioned officers.”
Spanning back six months, Dyer began his journey to the SAMC. He was compelled to pursue membership by his former battalion command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard A. Henson, and his mentor at the division level.
“I didn’t know much about it, except it was a club for the prestigious NCOs,” said Dyer. “To prepare, I printed off every regulation on the MOI.”
Meeting weekly with his mentor, Sgt. 1st Class Christie R. Holloway, Division West Career Counselor and a member of SAMC since 2004, Dyer prepped and allowed her to push him to achieve his goal.
“We practiced reporting procedures and drill and ceremony, amongst other tasks,” said Holloway. “I found him to be a determined individual.”
Dyer balanced out his SAMC studies with his everyday duties, to include his military and scholastic pursuits.
“I had to split time studying for my master’s degree, regular duty and studying for the board,” said Dyer. “I finished a 25-page paper in five days in order to free up time to prepare for the board appearance.”
Holloway said Dyer was a humble person. Personifying that virtue, he didn’t hesitate to attribute his success to his faith and loved ones.
“Sgt. 1st Class Holloway kept me on track and pepped up, but my greatest supporters were my wife and daughter,” said Dyer. “They allowed me to break away from them during dinner or family time to study.
Truly the only way I could’ve made it this far is with their help and the blessings of God getting me through,” he added.
Quickly approaching the Division West board, Dyer re-read every regulation and bits of information pertaining to the SAMC. He said his wife would even go as far as to quiz and drill him while they were driving, presenting him with the toughest questions she thought he would encounter.
“This whole process has definitely opened my eyes to how much information there is out there,” said Dyer. “Also that I don’t have to know it all, as long as I know where to find and reference it for me and my Soldiers.”
The day of the division board, his leaders and peers rallied to support him.
“He’s always trying to get his Soldiers more engaged,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Collins, 1-393rd senior enlisted leader. “He fully supports his Soldiers and I will support him the same.”
After his selection, Akuna assured him that his journey starts now.
“This is not a job, it’s a profession,” said Akuna, referring to Dyer’s future involvement as a member of the SAMC.
Dyer, a faithful and dedicated volunteer with the Gatesville, Copperas Cove and Fort Hood communities, saw Akuna’s words as a pleasant challenge.
“Now that I’m a member, more than ever, I have an opportunity to stand in front of Soldiers and show them what a professional looks like,” said Dyer. “I’ll let them know that they can achieve more than they think, if they can just put their mind to it.”
As Dyer’s leader and mentor, Collins and Holloway express their confidence in the example that he will set for his Soldiers, subordinates and peers.
“I believe he can get other Soldiers to follow in this path to SAMC,” said Collins.
“I see greatness in him,” said Holloway. “He exemplifies what it means to be in the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.”
To learn more, visit www.hood.army.mil/samc.
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2015 17:22 |
| Story ID: | 159348 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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