Can a soldier be forced to attend an Audie Murphy board?

Isn't it the mark of a good character to feel undeserving of a honor? The board is not going to look for him to be prepared for that function, rather be prepared as an NCO and a soldier. Look at it as a honor, not a task.

A small note for all you folks saying "they chose him for a reason", this NCO was also brand new to the unit. Luckily, the issue was resolved after a sit-down with the CSM.

I was forced to attend an NCO of the Year board while on my last deployment, and I only had 2 days prep time.

Other NCO's from other companies were pulled off mission for prep time with 3 weeks to do nothing but study. I would run combat ops until 1800 the evening prior to the board.

I had no prep time, but I welcomed the opportunity for 2 reasons:

1. I believe that, as an NCO, many of the questions I would be asked should be immediate knowledge that I should be able to recall to help adequately train my soldiers.

2. I knew that I would not be able to answer many of the questions correctly, and this was the reason I wanted to do it.

You see, I considered this a test to see how well I could handle it with no prep time. The Warrior side of me believed that if I did not attack this head on, I would lose a great deal more than had I turned it down.

I answered the current events correctly, hit the NCO Creed with no problem, hit my MOS related questions and blew my facing movements and mission oriented questions out of the water.

Unfortunately, specific regulations, situations and other of the mundane issues dealing with garrison life I was unable to provide answers for.

The answer I could provide was "SGM, I do not know the answer to the question. I did not adequately prepare, and therefor I would require time to research and find the answer."

After the 5th time I gave the answer, the SGM stopped me and asked why I gave this answer so much, and I explained that I had not adequately prepared. He then asked if I could with any confidence I could guarantee that I would not have to reply in this manner.

I explained that in MOS, mission related or chain of command issues, I was fairly positive I could, but I know this is a robust board, so I could not.

He and the other NCO's looked at each other, and a 1SG asked why I showed up without adequate preparation, and I gave this as an answer:

"The Army turned me into a person who thrives on challenges. I knew that I had very little time to prepare, but my company recommended me, and I felt that I owed it to them to do my best, and I came here because my best was to show up and do my best. I have also been taught that I should never turn down an opportunity to grow, and this board was my chance to grow."

Then, something very strange happened; the SGM asked who everyone in my chain was. I had never indicated that I had very limited time to prepare, nor did I ever complain. I made sure to indicate that the poor preparation was my fault because I should have known many of the answers without having to study. Army ASAP, AR670-1 and other areas should be an important part of taking care of soldiers.

After I told him my chain, the SGM looked at me and said he was going to "...index this operation" because I had missed too many questions, and asked me if I would like to share anything.

I simply told him that I apologized that I had wasted their time, but I appreciated the opportunity to go through the board process and test myself under the stress of the board with no preparation.

They asked why I had not prepared and I simply said "Because I did not make the time." As a matter of pride, I am not a fan of passing blame, and ultimately, it was my fault for not being able to answer the questions, and my fault alone.

They stood up, told me that I had done a great job under the circumstances and wished they could give it to me based on my character and willingness to accept fault with dignity and decorum.

We had a mission the next day, and prior to our PCC's and PCI's, the SGM showed up at our tent and asked to speak with me.

He told me he had spoken with my 1SG and CO, and they explained that I was not pulled off mission to prepare, only had 3 days notice and little less than a day to actually study, and went to the board after only having about 4 hours of sleep.

He asked why I didn't offer that information, and I told him they were simply excuses. While excuses are a convenient way allow a person not to accept the blame, the absolute truth is measured as my "reason", and the reason I did not know is that I had gone through my entire 2 1/2 years as an NCO without seriously studying the regulations and policies which drive the Army. So the actual reason I didn't know was because I had never made it a priority.

He scratched his head, looked me square in the eyes and told me that he and the other board members were incredibly impressed with his w I handled the situation, and while they could not award me the NCO of the year, he would like to do something for me, and coined me.

I would later get a star note and an additional coin from the CG of the 143rd TRANSCOM.

Moral is: Preparation does not start when you find out you are going to a board, it starts from the day you enlist.

Do not look at this as a chance to fail, see it as a chance to learn and exceed. We are NCO's because we have been trusted to lead and set the example. I simply don't believe that refusing to go sets that NCO example that should be the biggest part of our leadership skills.

I'm so sorry the army asked you to do stuff that you may not always want to do.

He needs to go do it with gusto! And make it look good!

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/audie_murphy_study_guide/audie_murphy_information/tradoc-reg-60014-tradoc-s.shtml

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.

While it is not required by regulation, it IS required if his commanding officer ordered him to appear for consideration. If this NCO wishes to show leadership and decides he should not be considered (whether he feels he would be embarrassed or for any other reason) then he should follow his orders and appear but tell the board he wishes to disqualify himself. The regulation doesn't require him to explain why.

On a personal note. This organization is a privilege and an honor to be a part of. If this NCO is afraid of embarrassment then he should definitely disqualify himself. He should also consider whether a career in the armed forces is right for him or not.

He should be excused the same thing happened to me and it was disastrous. All thought I was not prepared and not taking thisserious. Gave me a black eye for awhile

I feel that it is adequate time to prepare for a board, IF, given time by leadership to study during duty hours. If 1SG insists, then his leadership should help set him up to not look completely unprepared.

Really? Is this the tough stuff in the army these days? Tell him to grow a pair, then down a flask of whiskey in front of the board abd ask them if ol Audie Murphy would give two shits about there little shit show competition.

I was in B co 3-15 Inf. OIF 3. Man the fuck up. Cock of the Marne.

You have the right to turn down the board.