Soldiers from 214th Fires Brigade pose before the 10-foot tall bronze statue of Sgt. Audie Murphy at the Murphy Museum in Greenville, Texas. Sgt. Audie Murphy Club members from across the brigade accompanied diligently studying Soldiers hoping to ear...

FORT SILL, Okla. -- Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Aaron, 214th Fires Brigade CSM, invited 25 of the "Leaders" Brigade's finest noncommissioned officers to join him and eight other members of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club on a visit to the Audie Murphy Museum in Greenville, Texas.

The museum visit was motivation and inspiration for leaders aspiring to join the prestigious ranks of one of the Army's most cherished organizations, a task that requires great diligence and a dedication to hard work.

"The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is not just an honor for its members," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Calvin Cameron, H Battery, 26th Field Artillery, a member since 2008. "It is about leadership, initiative and selfless service; service to the community that inspires Soldiers to carry on the traditions of service and be better leaders and Soldiers."

The Sgt. Audie Murphy Club is named for Audie Leon Murphy, America's most decorated combat Soldier. Murphy earned every decoration for valor the Army could give, including a Medal of Honor and five high honors from Allied nations. His actions and heroism in World War II exemplify the Army Values and his leadership stands as an example for all.

"Sergeant Audie Murphy is the benchmark of a great Soldier," said aspiring member Sgt. 1st Class Tu Dao, A Battery 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery. "To emulate his qualities and bring his ethics into today, like taking care of Soldiers and making them into great future leaders, is what the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club means to me. It's about taking the Army Values further and further."

The full day NCO ride to the museum began at 6 a.m. with the rendering of honors to Old Glory at reveille before the bus departed Fort Sill en route to Greenville. The bus itself was eerily quiet for the number of riders, but the silence was not due to fear, trepidation or fatigue, but rather an earnest effort of study on the part of all aspiring club members. With a redoubled effort, one could hear the shuffle of index cards and papers as the entire bus prepared for upcoming boards.

To join the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club, a noncommissioned officer must "exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of Soldiers and concern for families of Soldiers, according to Forces Command Regulation 600-8, Paragraph 1, to be recommended for the arduous board process. Board examinations cover everything from Murphy's personal life, his Army and film careers, to the regulations governing the organization and more standard board topics.

"There is nothing easy about , to become a member requires a lot of hard work, like anything great," said Sgt. Dominique Livas, 529th Network Support Company, who hopes to gain entry into the club. "Membership in the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is the embodiment of a stellar Soldier and the standard to which all should aspire; greatness is not acquired without determination."

The museum itself was as inspiring as Murphy's biography. A sample rack of his awards and ribbons captivated the attention of all who passed it, many taking photos to show their friends, while others gawked at the museum's extensive collection of historical, military weapons.

However, the crown jewel of the collection is the massive bronze statue depicting Murphy with a machine gun. The statue portrays the moment in August, 1944, in France, when Murphy single-handedly cleared an enemy stronghold to protect his Soldiers.

At the statue's foot, Sgt. Audie Murphy Club members shared their club experiences, inspiring the hopefuls to speak frankly to their mentors and peers on why they wish to join the elite club.

"Seeing and visiting this really makes me understand where he came from and how he was always true to himself," said Staff Sgt. Chad Baugus, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion 14th Field Artillery. "This is definitely motivation to work even harder to achieve my goals."

By early dusk, the hero's statue looked approvingly upon his followers as they spoke of the example and standards he set for heroism, valor and leadership, each finally gazing back to him with a renewed sense of wonder and respect before boarding the bus for the long, quiet ride home. Not a one in attendance left as the same Soldier who arrived, but each refreshed with a renewed tenacity for achieving their goals, eager for their opportunity to face the examination boards in the coming days and weeks.