Infantryman enters elite club

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, an elite organization aimed at spreading knowledge throughout the noncommissioned officer corps and helping the community, received one new member during an induction ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Jan. 6.

Sfc. Terris Kolmorgan, infantryman, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, represented the "Lonestar" Battalion, "Warhorse" Brigade and "Ivy" Division, to the fullest, as the lone inductee of the Army Central Command's first quarter SAM-C board.

"We inducted a great leader into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club," said 1st Sgt. Michael Oliver, senior enlisted advisor, HHT, 2nd STB.

Kolmorgan, one of fourteen participants, showed his care for Soldiers and overall knowledge while attending the SAM-C board.

"You have brigade level sergeants major and higher saying 'you are what we are looking for in a noncommissioned officer' and I think that is just one of the most amazing feelings that I actually have ever had," said Kolmorgan.

During the ceremony, Kolmorgan showed his knowledge by reciting Murphy's biography word-for-word and attendees watched an excerpt from the movie "To Hell and Back," adapted from the best-selling book of his war experiences by the same name.

"Kolmorgan was the noncommissioned officer that I knew, just by looking at him, that he would be successful in this board," said Oliver. "Because of things he does on a day-to-day basis in order to get his Soldiers ready for missions, in order to make sure they are prepared for whatever is going to come their way."

Over the past year, Kolmorgan prepared by studying Army regulations, but it takes more than just remembering some information to become a member.

"I think a lot of people focus on the studying, what it takes is long hours and dedication, memorization and though that is true, what it really takes is to care," said Kolmorgan. "Care about your fellow Soldiers, care about your subordinates and care about the community.

After Kolmorgan received his medallion, the attendees gave him one more memory, a standing ovation.

"He is a charismatic noncommissioned officer that is willing to sit down and talk to a Soldier versus going the other route of being directive, which makes him very good at what he does."

After it was all said and done, Kolmorgan reminded everyone why he joined the club.

"To be a part of the SAM-C, it's a huge honor," said Kolmorgan. "It's a huge honor to be part of a group that is named after a humanitarian, named after a man who truly, truly cared about everyone around him and who loved our country and loved our Soldiers."