FORT RUCKER, Ala. (March 13, 2015) -- Audie Murphy is widely known as the most decorated Soldier in the U.S. Army, and for that reason, members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club are held in high esteem.
The Fort Rucker Sergeant Audie Murphy Club welcomed two new inductees into the organization during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum March 4, who will continue to "lead from the front."
The inductees were Staff Sgt. Autumn Hirth and Staff Sgt. Mark Renkal Jr., both of C Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment.
Hirth is a 15Q air traffic control operator training supervisor at Hunt Stage Field, and Renkal serves as a 15P Aviation operations specialist advanced individual training instructor.
"It feels good (to be finally inducted)," said Hirth. "I'm glad the process is finally over because there were a lot of boards that we had to go through."
"A lot of boards and a lot of hard work, and it feels good to see all of these people come out and support us," added Renkal. "It was definitely worth it, in the end."
Each Soldier has his or her own reasons to want to join the club, but for many it comes down to selfless service.
"I wanted to be among an elite group of NCOs and people who can help me better myself as an NCO, so that I can contribute to the community," said Renkal. "We do a lot for the community, but I want to make sure that they see that we're there for them. They're always so appreciative and we just love being able to help out … it makes it all worthwhile -- it's a good feeling."
Exceptional NCOs who set the highest standards for leadership and excellence earn the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award, said the narrator during the event. They are those who have contributed significantly to the development of a professional noncommissioned officer corps in a combat-ready Army, and exemplify leadership categorized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of Soldiers, as well as their families.
Command Sgt. Maj. Eric. C. Thom, Aviation Branch command sergeant major, attended the ceremony to offer his congratulations and speak on what the organization stands for.
"Have you ever thought about why the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was started?" he asked. "The purpose of this organization is to perpetuate the leadership attributes of its members, and that is saying something. You have to exemplify loyalty, caring, discipline and professionalism. You have to be swift and decisive when taking actions.
"That is why it's so hard to get into this organization," he said. "It's not the hundreds of hours studying and it's not the rigorous boards that you have to go through, although those boards are no easy feat."
The boards that each prospective inductee must go through are filled with situational questions that are designed to elicit in-depth responses, and although the boards are rigorous and ensure that each NCO is well equipped with knowledge to be a leader, they're not enough to make the Soldier a leader, said Thom.
"(The boards) simply polish what is or is not already there," said the Aviation Branch command sergeant major. "Entrance into this organization is not easy. It means taking care of Soldiers and their families, but even more importantly, it means that you will continue to demonstrate and foster that leadership learned in our Soldiers.
"Today we came here to recognize these two outstanding NCOs, but it's not for their benefit -- it's for ours -- so we can see what right looks like and have something to emulate," said Thom. "When the times are tough and the chips are down, and you find yourself not quite sure what needs to be done or how to do it, look for one of these two NCOs, and they'll show you how they lead from the front."
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