Fort Sill NCOs earn Sgt. Audie Murphy Club status

By Jeff Crawley, Fort Sill CannoneersMay 15, 2014

NCO Creed recital
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – New Fort Sill Sgt. Audie Murphy Club member Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Queen Ross (right), leads the audience in a recital of "The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer" May 8, 2014, at Kerwin Auditorium. The other SAMC inductees in front are, Staff ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
SAMC Medallions
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The newest members of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill Chapter of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club display their medallions May 8, 2014, at Snow Hall. From left are: Staff Sgt. Wesley Weaver, Staff Sgt. Loretta Gonsales, Drill Sergeant (Staff S... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. (May 15, 2014) -- The Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill Chapter of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club added four Soldiers to its ranks during an induction ceremony May 8, at Snow Hall.

Hundreds of family, friends, colleague Soldiers, SAMC members and post leaders filled Kerwin Auditorium for the quarterly ceremony.

The newest members are: Staff Sgt. Loretta Gonsales, Headquarters Company, 168th Brigade Support Battalion; Staff Sgt. Kimberly Marmolejos, A Company, 168th BSB; Drill Sergeant (Staff Sgt.) Queen Ross, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery; and Staff Sgt. Wesley Weaver, B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 4th FA.

"It's a goal I set as a sergeant, and I finally achieved it -- I feel ecstatic," said Weaver, a Multiple Launch Rocket System section chief. He said it took him three tries, which is not uncommon.

Master of ceremonies Sgt. 1st Class Brandie Walker, Fort Sill SAMC president, spoke about the formation of the original club. It was created in 1986, at Fort Hood, Texas, by several people including enlisted Soldiers, officers, civil service employees and a Killeen community member. In the late 1990s, club membership was over 3,000 and steadily increasing.

Walker also explained the highly selective process for club membership that included hours of study and practical tasks the inductees began months ago at their battalions. Then they worked their way up to their respective brigade and afterward, the post-level SAMC boards.

Speaker Command Sgt. Maj. David Carr, Fort Sill SAMC senior enlisted adviser, said the prestigious club has participated in numerous community activities ranging from painting dog kennels to spending time with veterans at the vet center to combing neighborhoods looking for homeless veterans.

"This club is dedicated to recognizing outstanding noncommissioned officers who are passionate about taking care of their Soldiers and accomplishing the mission," said Carr, 428th Field Artillery Brigade CSM and SAMC member. "Furthermore, the members of this club are dedicated to making a difference in the Lawton-Fort Sill community."

Fort Sill has the second oldest SAMC chapter, Carr added.

Keynote speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Morrisey, FCoE and Fort Sill CSM, said being a SAMC member is about leadership.

"Leadership has always been the main ingredient that stands out and influences our Soldiers' lives, and the success of our outcomes and our missions," said Morrisey, who was one of the original members of the Fort Hood SAMC. "It was your belief in the essential requirements of quality leadership ... that has led you to this distinguished accomplishment."

The challenges in the future Army should be seen as opportunities for leaders to motivate, and to guide their Soldiers through the challenges, Morrisey said.

"It will be your loyalty and dedication to your Soldiers, peers, leaders, your comrades, and as Lieutenant Murphy put it, that will prepare you for any challenge," said Morrisey, who has almost 35 years of service. "And just as importantly, your Soldiers will follow you."

During the ceremony, Morrisey and Carr presented the inductees with the Army Commendation Medal and SAMC Medallion.

Marmolejos said she wanted to become a SAMC member because the club shares her values.

"I believe in taking care of Soldiers, and I devote my time to helping the community and I enjoy volunteering," said Marmolejos, who is a supply specialist.

Gonsales said it felt good to become a club member.

"It's rewarding because it is very challenging -- I failed on my first attempt," said Gonsales, who is from Micronesia.

With her packed car sitting in the parking lot, Ross was PCSing Fort Sill immediately after the ceremony to Fort Jackson, S.C., where she will be an instructor at the Drill Sergeant School.

"Even though I mentored Soldiers before my induction, now I can mentor noncommissioned officers to become Sergeant Audie Club members," Ross said. "It's a great feeling."

Ross recommended the SAMC to her peers because candidates gain so much Army knowledge during the selection process. She said she will join the Fort Jackson SAMC Chapter and be an active member.