JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Seven Soldiers were recently inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club at the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst theater.

Membership in the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is reserved for select enlisted Soldiers who demonstrate selfless service and leadership, while also promoting training, development and welfare.

SAMC is an elite organization.

"We are the top six percent of noncommissioned officers in the Army," said Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher M. Johnson, a 2002 inductee. "We are the standard bearers for non-commissioned officers."

Named after a "war hero, movie actor and musician," the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is an elite organization comprised of non-commissioned officers who exemplify the core values of the U.S. Army, Johnson said.

Selection requires recommendation(s) by the chain of command, selection board(s), and testing Soldiers knowledge on Army policies and procedures. Success here requires sacrifice and commitment, said Sgt. 1st Class Hoye E. Royals, the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Sergeant Audie Murphy Club President.

The inductees were: Sgt. 1st Class Oscar Correa, (3-314), Sgt. 1st Class Godfree Francis, (2-315), Sgt. 1st Class Shelby Guitreau, (1-314), Sgt. 1st Class Herbert Keeley, (1-314), Sgt. 1st Class Kutura Moorer (1-314), Staff Sgt. Michael Benvenuto (2-315) and Staff Sgt. Peter King (1-314).

Days after turning 18 years old, and after unsuccessful attempts to enlist in the Marines and as a paratrooper, Audie Murphy joined in the U.S. Army. It was during this time that he earned a battlefield commission, citations, decorations, as well as recognition from other countries for his military knowledge and skill.

Murphy's loyalty, sacrifice, duty and courage serve as the cornerstone of the organization that bears his name.

"The Sgt. Audie Murphy Club is about caring for the morale and welfare of Soldiers, as well as the Army as a whole," explained inductee Staff Sgt. Peter M. King. "It?'s about being involved with a team of outstanding non-commissioned officers."

Soldiers must engulf themselves in preparatory process, when training for the boards.

"Preparation for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Board was very time consuming and demanding. It was essential that I have good time management skills," said Staff Sgt. Michael Benvenuto.

Fellow inductee, Sgt. 1st Class Kutura Moorer, echoed Benvenuto's planning requirements, as well as stressing the need for mental toughness.

"You need the personal strength and confidence to go in front of people, allowing them to get to know you in a short time. While I knew I could perform physically, I had to dig deep to perform mentally," explained Moorer.

Everything that the Soldiers do in preparation is worth it once they are selected to become members, said Royals.

Sgt. 1st Class Herbert Keeley said, "It {SAMC} means community to me. We are a group of noncommissioned officers who have shared the same trials and tribulations regardless of our military occupational specialty (job), gender, age or status; we can all relate to the other person."

Audie Murphy is the highest decorated Soldier in American history.

"It?'s a prestigious award that focuses on public service and camaraderie, which are the characteristics and attributes of noncommissioned officers," Johnson.