I have prepared these questions to help others prepare for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club board.  You must understand that there are many questions about Audie Murphy and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Program that could be asked, and that you have a responsibility to do your own research.  There are many resources available to assist in your research.  You can probably find everything you need to know by searching the internet.  I recommend using any of the major search engines and conducting a search for "Audie Murphy."  I strongly recommend the following two sites:

http://www.audiemurphy.com/contents.htm  

http://www.audiemurphy.com/samc.htm

At the end of the questions I have included some advice on preparing for, and appearing before, the board.

SERGEANT AUDIE MURPHY

Where and when was Audie Murphy born?

Kingston, Texas - June 20, 1924.

How many years of schooling did Audie Murphy have?

Five years.

At what age was Audie Murphy orphaned?

16 years old.

Where did Audie Murphy do basic training?

Camp Wolters, Texas.

Where did Audie Murphy do advanced training?

Fort Meade, Maryland.

What unit was Audie Murphy assigned to during World War II?

15^th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division.

Where did Audie Murphy fight during WWII?

North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany.

What was the Service Number of Audie Murphy?

01 692 509.

Name five of the U.S. awards that Audie Murphy earned during WWII?

(Any of the following)

Medal of Honor                           Distinguished Service Cross

Silver Star (1 OLC)                      Legion of Merit

Bronze Star (w/V, 1 OLC)           Purple Heart (2 OLC)

Good Conduct Medal                 Distinguished Unit Emblem (1 OLC)

American Campaign Medal        World War II Victory Medal

Army of Occupation Medal (w/Germany clasp) 

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (1 Silver Star, 4 Bronze Service Stars)

Name the six foreign awards that Audie Murphy earned during WWII?

Medal of Liberated France

French Fourragere in colors of the Croix de Guerre

French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier

French Croix de Guerre (w/ Silver Star)

French Croix de Guerre (w/Palm)

Belgian Croix de Guerre (1940 Palm)

How many movies did Audie Murphy act in?

44.

Name five movies that Audie Murphy acted in.                        

How many songs were written by Audie Murphy?

17. (I know that TRADOC Reg 600-14, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) states "16," however, I choose to go with the information on the Sergeant Audie L. Murphy Memorial Web Site, the Official Web Site for the Audie Murphy Research Foundation, which lists 17 songs)

Name five of the songs written by Audie Murphy.

What movie star invited Audie Murphy to Hollywood?

James Cagney.

What movie was adapted from the book of Audie Murphy’s war experiences?

To Hell And Back.

Which unit of the Texas Army National Guard did Audie Murphy join in 1950?

The 36^th Infantry Division (“T-Patches”)

What is significant about the year 1955 for Audie Murphy?

That was the year his was voted as the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors.

Was Audie Murphy a member of any fraternal organizations?

Yes, he was a Shriner (Mason).

When and how did AUDIE MURPHY die?

AUDIE MURPHY was killed in a plane crash on a mountaintop near Roanoke, Virgina on May 28, 1971.  His body was recovered 2 days later, on Memorial Day.

SERGEANT AUDIE MURPHY CLUB

What regulation(s) cover the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Program?

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

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

According to  FORSCOM REG 215-7 and TRADOC REG 600-14, what is the purpose of induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club?

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.

According to FORSCOM REG 215-7 and TRADOC REG 600-14, what is the 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.

When and where was the original Sergeant Audie Murphy Club started?

The original club was started at Fort Hood, Texas early in 1986.

Who designed the SAMC logo?

Don Moore, a Killeen artist, assisted with designing the logo and club awards.

Describe the SAMC Crest.

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.

What do the three stars separating the S*A*M*C in the crest represent?

The Be, Know, and Do for the NCO.

Why is SSG rank insignia included in the crest?

Reflects Audie Murphy's highest enlisted rank.

What does the eagle represent?

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

What does the laurel represent?

Represents the individual achievement of the NCOs in the club.

What does the lightning bolt represent?

It represents the swift and decisive action taken by the NCO.

What does the sword represent?

The sword is a historical reference, a tool for the NCO to cut to the heart of the matter, to lead the charge.

What do the streamers represent?

The streamers indicate upon which the club bases their philosophy-Loyalty, Discipline, Professionalism, and Caring.

What is the SAMC motto?

“You lead from the front,” Audie Murphy.

BOARD ADVICE

First, understand that this advice is my personal opinion.  It worked for me, and has worked for others, but you must decide what you need to do yourself.

PREPARING FOR THE BOARD: 

You should, at very least, be able to answer all of the questions on this page, and be extremely familiar with the references on my Study Links page.

Use regulations, field manuals, and soldier training publications as your primary references for the subject areas.  There are errors or outdated information in every study guide that I have checked out, and I have reviewed those that has been sold through AAFES in the last 10 years.  Bottom line--don't spend $29.00 for something that is there for free.  Additionally, you will find that some members of the board frown on the use of study manuals as your primary source, (Even if some of them pull their questions from them).

I recommend that you personally visit each family/soldier support agency (AER, ACS, Chaplain, BOSS, EFMP, etc.) on your installation. You will probably find that you are not the first person preparing for the SAMC board to come to them asking for an overview of the installation-specific operations.  This will give you the exact location and procedures for the specific offices, as well as points of contact and phone numbers. Put them in your leader book.  A good online resource for your leader book can be found on my NCO Sites page.

APPEARING BEFORE THE BOARD:

You should be prepared to explain:

Why you feel you should be inducted into the SAMC?

Why you want to become a member of the SAMC?

What you feel you will contribute to the organization?

What qualities of yours are similar to those of Audie Murphy?

You should be prepared to give a brief background of yourself and you may consider covering the following:

Your family

Military Service-assignments, duty positions, education, achievements (Don't be shy, they have this information available to them, but it also gives them an opportunity to check out your ability to express yourself--lack of confidence kills, but arrogance destroys, so find the middle ground)

Civilian Education

Community Service

Short and Long Term Goals

Be prepared to answer situational questions. I have included a few.  I have not included the answers.  You must decide what the answers should be.

Why do you feel we (our installation) get so many DUIs?

What would you recommend we do to reduce the number of DUIs?

You have a SSG assigned as your subordinate.  He and his wife are out at a local recreation area fishing, and he has been drinking alcohol.  On the way home, he gets stopped and gets a DUI.  He has been a stellar performer and takes excellent care of his soldiers.  You are now making your recommendation to your BN CDR on your recommendation for punishment under the UCMJ.    What is your recommendation? 

Now, this same SSG and his wife have been fishing.  He has been drinking alcohol, but she has not.  She is the designated driver.  However, she gets bitten by a poisonous snake.  He gets a DUI while rushing her to the hospital.  What would your recommendation be now? 

You should be prepared to recite the NCO Creed.

I hope this site helps. If it does, or you have recommendations for changes, I would appreciate the feedback.  Feel free to email me. stuart.edick@us.army.mil  I plan on adding questions on the new FM 22-100 and AR 670-1 in the near future.  My long-term plan is to publish an entire SAMC/Promotion Board Study Guide online--FREE.  If you are interested in contributing to this please contact me.  I would need the reference and page number for each question.

Study Links Self-Development

Find errors? Have suggestions for improvements? Please feel free to contact me: stuart.edick@us.army.mil