Soldiers endeavor for membership in elite Sgt. Audie Murphy Club

Published July 18, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Nicole Dykstra
72nd Field Artillery Brigade Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Soldiers endeavor for membership in elite Sgt. Audie Murphy ClubTwo 72nd Field Artillery Brigade Soldiers steeled their resolve and stood before the rigorous selection board, in hopes of joining a club which recognizes the exemplary leadership ability and performance of noncommissioned officers July 15, 2013, here.

"In order to even appear before the board, nominees must put in a lot of preparation and work ahead of time," said Sgt. 1st Class Oscar Correa, 3-314th Field Artillery Battalion operations NCO.

Soldiers interested in appearing before the First Army Division East board had to first receive recommendation from a brigade-level board, held July 9. Three brigade Soldiers appeared before the brigade board; two were selected to appear at the division board.

"I spent countless hours trying to ensure that I covered everything in depth, all the subject areas that were in the Memorandum of Instruction for the board," Correa said. "Quite honestly you don't realize how much you don't know until you start digging into all the regulations and policies."

Sgt. 1st Class Godfree Francis, 2-315th Field Artillery Battalion mobilization NCO, concentrated on learning as much as he could about Sgt. Audie Murphy himself and what he was about, he said.

"After I read all the material my sponsor gave me on Sgt. Audie Murphy and the SAMC, I visited the official memorial website, which gave me an in-depth view of his life both as a Soldier and a civilian," said Francis. "The more I read, the more I got drawn to the tremendous feats of Murphy and the prestige of the club."

Sgt. Audie Murphy was an infantryman who served in the Mediterranean and European Theaters during World War II. For his courageous actions, he was awarded all but one of the U.S. Army medals for valor, including the Medal of Honor. Murphy gives his name to an organization that strives to develop, inspire and motivate the best leaders possible in the Army. The first club was founded at Fort Hood, Texas, in 1986, with chapters forming across U.S. Army Forces Command by 1994.

In addition to studying and researching in preparation for the difficult board, the two 72nd Soldiers were assisted by their sponsors, fellow brigade Soldiers and current members of the SAMC. Sponsors provided the nominees with study material and held rehearsal boards to help boost confidence and comfort.

"My sponsor did a great job in helping me prepare for the board," said Correa. "From prepping me for the Army physical fitness test to assisting me in making sure my tie was properly positioned, he was there. I strongly feel that without a great sponsor, preparing for the board and being successful becomes ten times more difficult."

Appearing before the Sgt. Audie Murphy board is unlike appearing before a promotion board, said Command Sgt. Maj. Berk Parsons, 72nd Field Artillery Brigade command sergeant major and one of the board members of the July SAMC board.

"At a promotion board, the individual has demonstrated the potential to lead, so the board is looking for the Soldier's knowledge and his or her ability to present that knowledge," said Parsons. "At the SAMC board, it's how the candidates lead, how well they know their subordinates and how they would apply their knowledge and experience to lead their subordinates in various situations. That's what is very important here."

If recommended by the First Army East board, the Soldiers' packets will be forwarded to First Army for endorsement and then to U.S. Forces Command for approval.

"The values of the club are in line with what I believe every noncommissioned officer should live by," said Francis. "Being a SAMC member is a lifestyle; it's not just the uniform or the rank you wear."

From notification of sourcing through release from active duty, the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade mobilizes specified U.S. Army Active, Reserve, National Guard, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard units in conjunction with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst partners to meet combatant commander requirements.

Visit the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade at www.facebook.com/72ndFABDE for more information.