FORT HOOD, Texas - Five soldiers were inducted into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club during an awards ceremony held in the Phantom Warrior Center at Fort Hood Dec. 6.
Brig. Gen. Thomas S. James, 1st Cavalry Division deputy commanding general and guest speaker for the ceremony, spoke highly of the SAMC inductees.
“It is an honor for me to be able to participate in this prestigious event,” James said. “Today, we are here to recognize five phenomenal noncommissioned officers who exceeded the standard and exemplified leadership characteristics by personal concerns for the needs, training, development and welfare of our soldiers, and a genuine concern for their families.”
By possessing those characteristics and living by the Army values, NCOs help power an elite military force, James said.
“You truly are the backbone of the Army; leading from the front in the toughest conditions imaginable,” said James. “All you NCOs here today, and those that you represent, are what makes our Army the most powerful Army in the world.”
Not only do the soldiers inducted into the club have to be top-notch NCOs, but they must also complete the selection process, said James.
“They’ve successfully endured the rigorous examination process, and will join the ranks of over 3,000, representing the best of the best,” said James. “You should be extremely proud. Sgt. Audie Murphy Club members truly represent the best of the noncommissioned officers corps.”
To be selected into the club, NCOs are examined in a number of different ways, explained Staff Sgt. Trinity Ison, sniper section leader, 3rd Cavalry Regiment and one of the new inductees.
“There are multiple board appearances, on top of examinations on weapons,” Ison said. “You go to squadron, regiment and then post boards. They ask you multiple situational questions, in addition to regular board questions. They also look at your enlisted record brief and your overall record and see what you’ve done in your military career. They look at not only your records, but your soldiers’ records, and see what you’ve done to improve their lives and their careers.”
The welfare of an NCO’s soldiers is one of the two main pillars of his duty. Not only does the selection process look at how an NCO cares for his subordinates, but it also helps with future issues, said Ison.
“It’s a good experience,” Ison said. “You get to meet a lot of NCOs and sergeants major on post that have a lot of experience. When you run into a soldier’s issue and don’t know what to do, you can call upon one of them and they usually have good answers and good courses of action to take to help the soldiers out.”
Due to the amount of teaching points the SAMC selection process offers, Ison said he recommends all NCOs should attempt to join the group.
“Not only is it good to be in the club, but it’s a good resource to have available to you,” Ison said. “Everyone should at least try. Even if you don’t make it in the board, you still learn a lot. You’re going to improve yourself as an NCO, and that’s really what matters.”
When an NCO improves himself, he also improves his seniors, peers and subordinates alike. As he closed his speech, James again recognized the five newest members of the SAMC.
“Thanks for your service, your dedication to the Army profession, and your die-hard support of our soldiers and families,” James said. “God bless all of you. Phantom Warriors, Lead from the Front, Army Strong.”