ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Three Aberdeen Proving Ground noncommissioned officers were recognized for consistently setting the highest standards of leadership and excellence during the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club induction ceremony at the Myer Auditorium Nov. 25.
Named for the World War II infantryman and eventual Medal of Honor recipient who became the most highly-decorated NCO in the history of the U.S. Army, the Aberdeen/Edgewood Area chapter of the SAMC - an Army-wide organization - was established in 2012 under the leadership of Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Kennis Dent of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. APG Senior Leader Maj. Gen. Robert Ferrell approved the chapter in March 2012. Since then, club members have supported installation-wide events such as Military Appreciation and Veterans Day ceremonies, back-to-school and shoe drives; activities at the Perry Point VA hospital and local charities on and off post.
"The NCOs of the program continue to embody the spirit and carry on the legacy of this great American hero, Sgt. Audie Leon Murphy," said master of ceremonies, Master Sgt. David Henderson of the 20th CBRNE Command.
Ferrell, Dent and SAMC President Master Sgt. Keyana Washington of Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic, made up the program's official party along with guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Lebert Beharie of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.
Ferrell said the award was indicative of the honorees' exemplary performance and attention to detail throughout all phases of the competition and of their professionalism and dedication to Soldiers and the NCO Corps.
He called the event "a big deal" and commended Dent for bringing it about. Referring to APG NCOs as "truly the backbone of the installation," Ferrell praised the inductees for their achievement.
"Your demonstrated willingness to go above and beyond personifies the Sergeant Audie Murphy motto of "You lead from the front,"" and reflects great credit upon you, Aberdeen Proving Ground and the United States Army," he said.
The inductees included Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Conway and Sgt. 1st Class Kishann Smith from the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command's Army Evaluation Center and Sgt. 1st Class Tantra Peyton from the 46th Chemical Company, 22d Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort). Each awardee received the Army Commendation Medal, the SAMC medallion, a U.S. Army Materiel Command Certificate of Achievement and chapter plaque as well as donated gifts from local merchants.
After being introduced as "one who has worked hard to develop a professional NCO Corps," Beharie noted that the NCO Corps is "a profession that accepts only the best."
"These stripes are earned," he said.
He praised the inductees for their willingness to, "serve and be part of something larger than themselves," and encouraged them to continue to mentor Soldiers as they continue the learning process.
He closed with a quote from the speech prepared for President John F. Kennedy to deliver on the day of his assassination.
"'Learning and leadership are indispensable to each other,'" he said. "Never stop learning to be a better leader. "
Before closing the program, Dent thanked Washington and the Aberdeen/Edgewood Area SAMC membership for an "outstanding job" and recognized the program's sponsors. He commended the inductees for taking care of Soldiers and their families and cautioned them that "this is just the beginning."
"People will be looking to you to set the example, day in and day out," he said. "It is you who will be training the next generation."
The inductees agreed that they were proud and relived to reach this milestone in their careers.
"It's a goal I set several years ago," said Peyton, an assistant team sergeant and a native of Belize, Central America. "Now I hope to become a greater part of serving our community."
Conway said he couldn't believe his achievement.
"It's kind of surreal," said the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation NCO from Walker, Texas. "This is something I thought I might never get. It's pretty awesome."
Smith, the current APG NCO of the Year, said he realized all eyes have been on him since he won the competition earlier this year.
"It's something I've been trying to attain the past four years," said the military evaluator for the Fires Evaluation Directorate. "I realize now that even more emphasis will be on me to share my knowledge with my Soldiers and share my skills with my community. I'm ready."
The program included the singing of the national anthem by Pfc. Stacy Dobson, the posting of colors by Soldiers in period uniforms honoring the nation's major conflicts and the invocation and benediction by 20th CBRNE Command chaplains' assistant Sgt. 1st Class James Morris.
Dr. Mary E. Walker award
In addition to the SAMC presentations, Stacey Volodin, the spouse of Sgt. 1st Class Sergei Volodin, was awarded the Dr. Mary E. Walker Award in recognition of her volunteer service with her husband's unit and with the American Red Cross during the height of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Volodin also received a CECOM Certificate of Achievement. A Maryland state delegate intern, Volodin has helped raise thousands of dollars for disaster relief efforts and served as the primary organizer for her husband's Family Readiness Group while he was stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y.
A student at the University of Maryland in Baltimore, Volodin maintains a 3.85 grade point average, is a member of the Honors Program and serves as a Peer Advisor.
The award is named for the Civil War doctor and early suffragette who became the only woman to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Sgt. 1st Class Volodin accepted the award for Stacey Volodin.
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