Posted on Sep 14, 2016
Can a soldier be forced to attend an Audie Murphy board?
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I have an NCO who is being forced to compete in an Audie Murphy board 8 days after notification. Is there any justification to get him out of it? The 1SG is relentless, and the CSM is unresponsive pertaining to the situation.
This is a good NCO, who doesn't want to make a fool of himself at a prestigious Corps level board.
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Note: Photo added by RP staff.
This is a good NCO, who doesn't want to make a fool of himself at a prestigious Corps level board.
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Note: Photo added by RP staff.
Posted in these groups: 
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC)
Mandatory
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) Mandatory
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 361
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Military wouldn't be military if it didn't offer challenges. Grabbit the bull by the horns and accept the challenge! You''ll never know if you don't go!
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That is terrible leadership. 8 days isn't enough time. They can make him but I don't think they're doing him any justice at all.
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SFC (Join to see)
Yes, a great NCO should always be ready. But memorizing AM's bio, SAMC crest, every award, promotion, song, movie & other Audie Murphy information is not designed to be completed within 8 days.
Situational questions, APFT, character, NCO knowledge, volunteering, resilience through pressure... All of that a good NCO should be ready for...
But there is a lot about the club's induction process designed to prepare and vet people for a long time instead of just r giving 8 days to any old NCO to answer some questions... The club is designed to develop juniors- the unit has missed the point by giving an NCO a week.
Situational questions, APFT, character, NCO knowledge, volunteering, resilience through pressure... All of that a good NCO should be ready for...
But there is a lot about the club's induction process designed to prepare and vet people for a long time instead of just r giving 8 days to any old NCO to answer some questions... The club is designed to develop juniors- the unit has missed the point by giving an NCO a week.
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SFC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - 8 days is more than enough time to memorize that information. It actually isn't much to memorize to be honest. As for the club's induction process, there is nothing there that states there is a "grooming" process. You either are, or you aren't. Your chain of command selects you to attend because they think you are. It is up to you to prove them right or wrong.
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Years ago when I was just a young soldier I was told in Korea to attend a soldier of the quarter board in two days with no study materials. I did fine with the CTT hands on but embarrassed myself on the board. It also embarrassed the Jackass CSM who mandated that someone go two days with no prep in the first place. I hope to meet his sorry ass one day.
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SFC Gerald Stone
If you prepare everyday like your suppose to, then these boards will only enhance you abilities as a leader and also help build your self-confidence
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I think the bigger picture is that the Army has come to the point that it has to "force" Soldiers to undergo career enhancements and professional development because not many feel it is important enough to them to step up and do it for the betterment of themselves, their unit, and the Army.
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SFC J Fullerton
There was a time that Soldiers had to compete to earn the slot to go to the Audie Murphy Board. Now there are no volunteers and Soldiers are forced to go? Before you got pushed by your leadership to be successful with it. Days before notice is piss poor, which shows that the apathy is just not at the Soldier level. The shame is that there is no motivation by leadership or subordinates to sustain the traditions and develop leaders.
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SFC (Join to see)
This club went Army-wide in 94. It is no more a tradition than the stupid black beret. We all know how that ended.
A lot of NCOs don't care about SAMC much like they don't care about being a member of the Masons, Shriners, or other good ole boy club with dwindling memberships. Perhaps it is time to trim the fat.
If my NCOs showed interest, I would support them 100%. But I won't force them to go to the SAMC board, especially if they are seeking self improvement elsewhere. I personally would take a NCO with a 4 year degree and strong work ethic over an NCO who sat pretty at the board.
A lot of NCOs don't care about SAMC much like they don't care about being a member of the Masons, Shriners, or other good ole boy club with dwindling memberships. Perhaps it is time to trim the fat.
If my NCOs showed interest, I would support them 100%. But I won't force them to go to the SAMC board, especially if they are seeking self improvement elsewhere. I personally would take a NCO with a 4 year degree and strong work ethic over an NCO who sat pretty at the board.
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I think everyone is missing the point. As a member of the SAMC I absolutely believe that in order to induct the best candidates it must remain 100% voluntary.
The point of the SAMC isn't to show how awesome you are and wear a cool medal, it's the volunteering, community outreach, and giving back after you are inducted that really matters. We need NCO volunteers that understand the club's mission and stay to contribute after they are inducted. This is why we have NCOs getting inducted and then vanishing.
If you as a leader are forcing people to compete for induction into a voluntary organization then you are wrong. If Senior NCOs within the organization are counseling/mentoring the SGT/SSG properly and constantly promoting the club in a positive manner, there would always be motivated volunteers ready to step up; of not, just write a MFR that the quarterly board will be a non-conduct for that quarter.
Soldier of the month and NCO of the month however, should not be voluntary.
The point of the SAMC isn't to show how awesome you are and wear a cool medal, it's the volunteering, community outreach, and giving back after you are inducted that really matters. We need NCO volunteers that understand the club's mission and stay to contribute after they are inducted. This is why we have NCOs getting inducted and then vanishing.
If you as a leader are forcing people to compete for induction into a voluntary organization then you are wrong. If Senior NCOs within the organization are counseling/mentoring the SGT/SSG properly and constantly promoting the club in a positive manner, there would always be motivated volunteers ready to step up; of not, just write a MFR that the quarterly board will be a non-conduct for that quarter.
Soldier of the month and NCO of the month however, should not be voluntary.
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CSM Mark Gerecht
SFC Joseph as an Audie Mupehy and Sergeant Morales member myself I agree with every point you made with the exception of one. Making someone attend. You see I was forced to attend. My perception of individuals in these "CLUBS" was that they were self serving hence why I refused to go. It was my BDE CSM who saw something in me that I did not see in myself. His mentorship in that one act taught me a lot about myself and my perception of the club. Sometime we all have to do things we don't want to do. The Soldier has a duty to obey and the leader has a duty to develop and grow the subordinate. You are absolutely correct that we need volunteers and NCOs that care and want to shape and grow the force. Your correct you could write an MFR. but you also lose the opportunity. I am disappointed a 1SG would provide such short notice but none of us are the perfect leader. We jungle many balls. The key is to make sure you never drop the glass all ( important tasks). Perhaps This 1SG is new to the job and learning or maybe he was overwhelmed with glass balls. The fact of the matter is if senior NCOs don't grow these clubs there will be no clubs. The key is to make sure the individuals that attend are truly the individuals we want to represent the ARMY and what we stand for as an NCO corps. You are spot on...but as I mentioned in my first post there is so much more to this story that we don't know. The one thing I really enjoy about rally point is the fact that we interact and share experiences and lessons learned. You are not wrong by any means. I simply ask that you examine the other aspects associated with the issue. One day in the near future you will see a high speed NCO that you know needs to be an AUDIE MURPHY. What happens when you send in the MFR and your BN CSM says I don't care about your MFR have a soldier and NCO at the board or _____________ else. As leaders we do not get to choose. We obey orders unless they violate what I call the four unforgivable sins of leadership ILLEGAL, UNETHICAL, IMMORAL, UNSAFE. Then we have a duty to not obey and to report it. Would love to see you enter some of our discussions on Asktop.net
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SFC (Join to see)
CSM Mark Gerecht - CSM, thank you for your feedback. The funny part is that my 1SG forced me to go. He saw something in me and gave me the push because he knew if he didn't, I never would have gone. Participating in the SAMC has been a great privelage and I thank him every time I speak to him (he's retired now) so I can see your point. I just wish NCOs were more open minded and passionate about doing things that would make a difference in our corps and Army. We as NCOs need to be more proactive in helping shape the force and these clubs are a great way to do that.
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There's all kinds of things you can be voluntold for, but this isn't setting the soldier up for success. If it turns out badly, the board-members aren't going to say "Boy, he did a good job despite having no time to prepare!" (because the people forcing the soldier to go aren't going to tell the board "we set this guy up for failure and didn't give him time to prepare) it's going to be "Why didn't he prepare? Why did he waste our time?"
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Makes me wonder who they think will benefit from him attending, them, or the NCO....shitty leadership strikes again.
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SFC William Swartz Jr
Not a promotion board. Is a board deemed to select "the best of the best of the Army NCO Corps", based on the individuals demonstrated leadership abilities. Is considered to be a most prestigious club in the eyes of "Big Army" and sets one apart from their peers. More to this board than the standard memorization of unit history, FMs/ARs and the like and then merely spitting out the answers.
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MSgt Allan Vrboncic
Then if they feel you are best of the best, then you should not turn it down, right?
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OMG why would he not want to go. What a great honor to be considered for it. Even if he doesn't get the award what a way to show how prepared you are to handle high stress situations. He needs to have more confidence in himself and believe he can do it, evidently your 1SG thinks he can do it.
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