Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Fort Huachuca's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) added three new members to its prestigious ranks during an afternoon ceremony Aug. 21 in Fitch Auditorium, Alvarado Hall.
Staff Sgt. Aaron Cabildo from the Military Intelligence Corps Band, U.S. Army Garrison (USAG), joined Staff Sgt. Adam Castrogiovanni and Staff Sgt. Luther York, both from Delta Company, 2-13th Aviation Regiment, as the newest members of the elite non-commissioned officer organization before an audience of Soldiers and Family members.
Cabildo joined the Army in February 2002. He is a 42R, Army musician and currently a member of the Military Intelligence Corps Band. In addition to assignments in the U.S., Cabildo has participated in a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Castrogiovanni is a 15E unmanned aircraft systems repairer instructor/writer who joined the Army in March 2003. He has been assigned to units both here and abroad and has deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
York is a 15W unmanned aircraft systems operator instructor/writer who enlisted in the Army in August 2006. In addition to assignments here and overseas, York has deployed once in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Fairley was the keynote speaker at the SAMC induction ceremony and spoke briefly, praising the new inductees and all SAMC members for their service, citing the virtues that led them to induction into the prestigious organization. He encouraged the new members to continue the SAMC tradition.
"[SAMC members] take care of those who can't take care of themselves," Fairley said. "Getting into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is not easy, but it is available for those who truly want it."
In order to compete to be members of the SAMC, each Soldier needed a recommendation from their first sergeant or commander. The Soldiers then had to compete in several boards and then at the installation level before being selected for SAMC membership.
NCOs who worked with the new inductees shared their thoughts about the three men prior to the induction ceremony.
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph H. Riddle, first sergeant, Delta Company, 2-13th Avn. Regt., and Fort Huachuca SAMC president, said both Soldiers in his unit, Castrogiovanni and York, deserved the award.
"They earned it. They deserved it. Both are exemplary NCOs who can do about anything," Riddle said. "The commander calls them 'last minute NCOs.' They get it done at the last minute. We know we can count on them."
Preparation for the boards began long before the actual competition began, he explained.
"Staff Sergeant York began the process two years ago. I began bugging him as soon as he showed up at the unit two years ago," Riddle said with a laugh.
Sgt. 1st Class ShamSadean J. Bowie, 18th Military Police Detachment, Directorate of Emergency Services, shared his thoughts about Cablido, the USAG inductee.
"I feel connected [with Cabildo]. I was part of the same [SAMC] study group," Bowie said. "Cabildo wasn't selected last time, but he was selected this time. He persevered and improved every time," adding that the bandsman has a lot going on between band concerts and other military obligations, but volunteered with SAMC on a number of projects prior to his induction, helping locally with highway clean-up and at the Child Development Center.
"He has done his best to show that he wants to wear the medallion and do more," he added.
Sgt. 1st Class Cristino Moreno, first sergeant, USAG, was not present at the ceremony, but shared his thoughts on Cabildo's achievement.
"[Cabildo's] heart is in 'service.' He's for the community." Moreno said. "He volunteered [for SAMC] both here and in Hawaii. His greatest strength is his willingness to be part of the community. He's focused. He's already mentoring other Soldiers [to be part of SAMC]. He's a great example. I am sad I [could not] be there."
The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, named after the most decorated Soldier in the U.S. Army, now deceased, is a private Army organization for enlisted non-commissioned officers only. Those NCOs whose leadership achievements and performance merit special recognition may possibly earn the reward of membership. Members must " ... exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and concern for Families of Soldiers," according to FORSCOM Regulation 600-8, paragraph 1. SAMC members also demonstrate strong community service values.
Fort Huachuca's SAMC has been involved with presentations to the Sierra Vista's Rotary organization, Imagine Charter School, Fort Huachuca's Child Development Center, Buena High School, and participation in Fort Huachuca's Annual Tour of Homes and the Chrome Pony Rally. Members have also participated quarterly in the local Adopt-A-Highway program. Additionally, the group holds regularly scheduled meetings and study hall programs for potential future SAMC members. Over the past two years, the Fort Huachuca SAMC members have donated more than 2,000 hours of community service said Fairley at the Aug. 21 induction ceremony.
For more information about the installation's SAMC, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Huachuca-Sergeant-Audie-Murphy-Club/185209691511405
Social Sharing