ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Members of the Rock Island Arsenal Sgt. Audie Murphy Club welcomed four new members into their ranks at a ceremony in Heritage Hall here, Aug. 12.
Sgt. 1st Class Curtis Benjamin, a maintenance noncommissioned officer, Sgt. 1st Class Darrell Buck, a senior logistics NCO, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Urquhart, a logistics services NCO, all assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and Staff Sgt. Marie Sanders-Gulas, an acquisition logistics and technology NCO assigned to the Army Contracting Command-Rock Island, are the newest members of the elite club.
"As an inductee to this great organization, I contribute in giving back to the community and have an impact on future leaders," said Buck.
Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Nicholas Castillo provided the keynote speech and impressed upon the inductees the importance of humility and selflessness in leadership.
"You must now embrace the servant leadership, remember that you serve something far bigger than yourself, and that is the spirit behind your induction today," he said. "Your leadership must never be about you, but about your Soldiers, your family, and your community."
The original Sgt. Audi Murphy Club was started at Fort Hood, Texas in 1986. It spread Army-wide in 1994. Membership is exclusive to those NCOs whose leadership achievements and performance set them apart and requires the NCO to react to situational scenarios at a series of boards led by sergeants major.
Castillo is a life member of the U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army Sgt. Morales Club which embraces the same attributes as the SAMC. Members exemplify a special kind of leadership characterized by a personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers.
"You're expected to value diverse opinions, cultivate a culture of trust, develop other leaders, help people with life issues, not just work issues," Castillo said. "Encourage everyday; think long term by mentoring the next generation of Soldiers and citizens."
The SAMC is known for charitable work throughout the surrounding communities. Members donate hours of their personal time to make a difference.
Nine ASC Soldiers, including two of the SAMC inductees, received the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal during the ceremony. Staff Sgt. Andrew Gregory, Benjamin, Buck, Sgt. 1st Class Darrick Dupree, Sgt. 1st Class Stacie Everett, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Pryor, Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy Ray, Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Wertz, and Sgt. 1st Class Kimberly West earned the award after volunteering many hours in the community. They have supported a variety of events at local elementary schools, worked with Habitat for Humanity, supported Kings Harvest events, and more.
"Most important (is to) be confident and understand that it's not about you, but it's about giving back to the community, having an impact," Buck said.
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