SAMC Purpose, History, Crest, Motto, and Medallion

 

 

PURPOSE 

Excerpt from:

(TRADOC) Regulation 600-14,
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) Program

 a. The TRADOC Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is an elite organization of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who have demonstrated performance and inherent leadership qualities and abilities characterized by those of Sergeant Audie Murphy.

b. Sergeant Audie Murphy is the name of a NCO who, as a squad leader, consistently demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership, professionalism and regard for the welfare of his soldiers. A brief biography of Sergeant Audie Murphy is at appendix B.

2-2. Eligibility. All Active Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard NCOs in the ranks of Corporal through Sergeant First Class assigned or attached to TRADOC units are eligible for the SAMC.

2-3. Induction and membership. The TRADOC SAMC is a privilege earned by a few exceptional noncommissioned officers. The SAMC is a means of recognizing those NCOs who have contributed significantly to the development of a professional NCO Corps and combat ready Army. Members exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of soldiers and concern for families of soldiers.

Excerpt from:

(FORSCOM) Regulation 215-7,
The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) Program

2. General 

Induction and membership in the FORSCOM SAMC is a reward for Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) whose leadership achievements and performance merit special recognition. The SAMC is a means of recognizing those NCOs who have contributed significantly to the development of a professional NCO Corps and a combat ready Army. Members exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of soldiers and concern for families of soldiers.

 FORSCOM Sergeant Audie Murphy Club: An elite organization of NCOs whose demonstrated performance and inherent leadership qualities and abilities are characterized by those of Sergeant Audie Murphy.

 

 The History of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

(Available: http://www.audiemurphy.com/samc.htm)

The original club was started at Fort Hood, Texas early in 1986. There were several key people at Fort Hood - officer, enlisted, civil service, and a Killeen civilian - who were instrumental in getting this club up and running.

Leading the effort was Lieutenant General Crosbie Saint, then the III Corps commander; his Command Sergeant Major George L. Horvath; III Corps Awards Clerk Jean Crisp, who is now Test and Experimentation Command (TEXCOM) awards clerk, and Don Moore, a Killeen artist who assisted with designing the logo and club awards.

In 1991, then III Corps Commander Lieutenant General Pete Taylor and Command Sergeant Major Richard B. Cayton expanded the Fort Hood installation club to include all of III Corps. This included Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and Fort Carson, Colorado.

In 1993, CSM Cayton was voted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club by the membership and then became the Forces Command Sergeant Major. Soon thereafter, the club became Forces Command (FORSCOM) wide, including the Reserves and National Guard.

In 1994 at a Sergeant Major of the Army conference, the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club spread Army-wide, to all commands with installations retaining the selection process for their own NCOs. In 1998, it was estimated that the club membership was over 3000 soldiers and was steadily increasing.

   

THE CREST

The crest was designed by one of the original organizers of the club, Mr. Don Moore, Illustrator of Killeen, Texas. The crest depicts the symbols of the majestic American Bald Eagle superimposed over the olive branch-wreath, saber, and lighting bolt. In front of the eagle are the U.S. Army staff sergeant stripes. The eagle firmly clutches in both claws a powder-blue banner, the color of the infantry. On the banner are displayed words Loyalty, Caring, Discipline, and Professionalism.

S*A*M*C: Initials separated by three stars which represent the Be, Know, and Do for the NCO.

SSG Rank Insignia: Reflects Audie Murphy's highest enlisted rank.

The Eagle: Our national bird and symbol of freedom, the intent of the club to be nationwide.

The Laurel: Represents the individual achievement of the NCOs in the club.

The Lightning Bolt: Represents swift and decisive action taken by the NCO.

The Sword: A historical reference, a tool for the NCO to cut to the heart of the matter, to lead the charge.

The Streamers: Indicate upon which we base our philosophy-Loyalty, Discipline, Professionalism, and Caring.

(Available: http://www.audiemurphy.com/samc.htm)

The Motto

“You lead from the front.”

Audie Murphy

The Medallion

     
 
(Front and Reverse image of the SAMC Medallion.)

 The medallion is silver in color and is suspended on a broad powder-blue ribbon representing the traditional color of the infantry.   It is worn around the neck with the Army Green Dress, Army Blue, or Army Blue Mess uniforms for official functions such as military balls or Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meetings.

Membership Medallion approved for wear with appropriate uniform during SAMC official functions only (IAW AR 670-1, para 28-13d).  (TRADOC) Regulation 600-14, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) Program

     

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