Photo By Sgt. John Ortiz | (From left to right) Staff Sgt. Momar Samb, a platoon sergeant with the 109th...... read more read more
By Spc. John D. Ortiz
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- No matter how strenuous a mission can be Soldiers can revel in the fact the mission will always end. For four 4th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers, that mission ended with a powder-blue medallion being hung around their necks as the newest members of the Audie Murphy Club.
One of the last American war heroes, Audie Murphy made a name for himself on the battlefield by earning every U.S. medal for valor, bedazzled the streets of Hollywood by acting in 44 movies and writing the lyrics to 16 songs.
For Soldiers aiming to be "just like Audie" their requirements were a little less dangerous but no less demanding.
"I studied for three months straight; I didn't worry about rest, because I knew what I was striving for," said Staff Sgt. Momar Samb, a platoon sergeant with the 109th Transportation Company.
"I studied night and day, went to study hall three times a week, and attended a mock board every Saturday," he said. "It involved a lot of research and reading every Army regulation I could get my hands on."
Studying through the day and into the night can be done without a thought stateside, but deployed Soldiers who study day and night are presented with new challenges to overcome.
"I still had to support the mission, take care of my Soldiers, and fulfill my platoon sergeant duties," Samb said. "I made sure there were no shortcomings in any of those areas."
"It is an honor to know my efforts for the past 23 years haven't gone unnoticed and one of my own subordinate leaders recognized it and my peers welcomed the honorary induction to the elite organization," said Command Sgt. Major C.W. Mitchell, the Brigade Troops Battalion Command Sergeant Major, 4th Sustainment Brigade.
"I am extremely proud and honored to be selected, because someone saw I possessed the qualities needed to be in the Audie Murphy Club," he said. "I tend to uphold the charter of the club and continue to lead from the front."
"It says a lot about the Soldiers, it's a lot of hard work, there isn't anything that is given to them, you have to proficient in skills that require you to go in an area where danger exists as soon as you walk out of the gate, and have the mental stamina to prepare for grueling boards," he said.
For one Soldier, earning the Audie Murphy medallion was an endpoint for her and another accomplishment in her career.
"I knew I was going to become a member," said Staff Sgt. Tamara Stewart, an assistant truck-master with the 2nd Transportation Company. "I knew when I was a private. I had an outstanding non-commissioned officer who showed me the way."
"It's a privilege and an honor to be one of the newest members of the Audie Murphy Club," said Stewart. "I worked hard to get where I am and I'm thankful for my Soldiers who put up with me during the three months where I studied a lot and slept a little."
"I put my time and energy into studying, so I could be well-prepared for the final selection board," she said.
Becoming a member is not about wearing a medallion during official functions; the SAMC has a history of volunteer and community service behind it.
"The one constant that always remains is the SAMC is an organization of NCOs who are dedicated to leading, training and taking care of Soldiers," said Sgt. 1st Class Oran J. Spradley, the Plans non-commissioned officer-in-charge for the 4th Sustainment Brigade and a member of the SAMC.
"The purpose of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Award is to reward NCOs whose leadership achievements and performance merit special recognition," he said. "It is also a means of recognizing those NCOs who have contributed significantly to the development of a professional NCO Corps and a combat ready Army."
"Members of the club exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and concern for families of Soldiers," he said.
"It's a committee of great non-commissioned officers that get together, support the community and promote and increase the welfare and morale of the war fighter," said Samb. "Just being a part of the club is a great opportunity."
"To be part of a prestigious club is why I strived to become a member and continuously push my NCOs to become members," he said.
"To me, it is a start point to work as a NCO, you get to a point where you are not a regular Soldier, you set the example and have to come to the right decision with only minimal guidance," said Samb.
"Becoming an Audie Murphy Club member, I have told people and my leadership this is who I am," he said. "I will strive to be more like Audie."
| Date Taken: | 08.01.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2008 05:56 |
| Story ID: | 22025 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 473 |
| Downloads: | 258 |
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