Fort Rucker Sergeant Audie Murphy Association inducts 5 NCOs

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Fort Rucker Sergeant Audie Murphy Association added five new members to its ranks during a ceremony Aug. 12 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.

Command Sgt. Maj. Brian N. Hauke, command sergeant major of the Aviation Branch and guest speaker at the event, said the induction was an important moment in the careers of the five NCOs earning membership into the association.

The newest inductees were 1st Sgt. Jerry G. Adamson, Sgt. 1st Class Richard Wright, Staff Sgt. Katherine R. Andrus, Staff Sgt. Eric D. Ruffin Jr. and Sgt. Hans C. Lafont.

These NCOs have "infectious attitudes when they come to work every day. The fact that they want to be a part of the association, they volunteer to do that, it's an above-and-beyond-the-call type of attitude," Hauke said. "This group of NCOs joins the rest of the association and continues to provide that infectious attitude that we need from our NCOs as they lead, coach, teach and mentor our Soldiers."

And that attitude will only become more important as time passes, he added.

"Some of the seniors in the audience won't be here forever, and the Army is going to be turned over to you to lead," Hauke said to the five NCOs. "You, along with the junior leaders in the audience, will start to lead this organization, and the attitude you bring is important -- it's infectious. Soldiers watch, learn and aspire to be each and every one of you solely based on your attitude, so thanks for what you do.

"Congratulations," he continued. "It only starts here -- don't think it's all over from here. It's not going to be easy. You're held to a little higher standard each and every day now, and there will be the expectation that you will excel, so continue to excel from here."

ADAMSON

Adamson, B Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment first sergeant, is a native of Alexander City. He enlisted in 2004 as a cavalry scout. He has supported operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom over the course of his career. He said his short-term goal is to earn the rank of sergeant major, while his long-term goals are to earn a master's degree and retire from the Army. He and his wife, Carlesa, have three children.

WRIGHT

Wright, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence lead and 1st Aviation Brigade sexual assault response coordinator, manages and maintains more than 139 full-time and collateral-duty SARCs and victim advocates in the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program. Hailing from Mobile, he enlisted in 2004 as a field artillery surveyor. He deployed to Iraq from 2005-06. He and his wife, Staff Sgt. Addasinnia Wright, have three children.

ANDRUS

Andrus, medic with the U.S. Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape School, was born in Houston and raised in Eufaula. She enlisted in 2008 as a healthcare specialist. She has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. She and her husband, Staff Sgt. James S. Andrus of the 1-14th Avn. Regt., have two children.

RUFFIN

Ruffin, 597th Maintenance Detachment Special Repair Activity 2 team chief, is responsible for the management of the unit maintenance program and personnel during deployment operations. He is from Baltimore. Ruffin enlisted in 2010 as an air traffic control equipment repairer. He deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn in 2011. He and his wife, Shawnda, have one child.

LAFONT

Lafont, training supervisor at Hanchey Army Heliport, was born in Miami and lived for 23 years in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He enlisted in 2015 as an air traffic control specialist. He is pursuing a bachelor's degree in aerospace studies/air traffic control and working on earning his commercial pilot certification.