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JBSA News
NEWS | Oct. 31, 2019

Five MEDCoE NCOs inducted into Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

By Jose E. Rodriguez U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence Public Affairs

Five soldiers from the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston were inducted into the Sergeant Major of the Army Leon L. Autreve Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, or SMAVA SAMC, at a ceremony at the Fort Sam Houston Post Theater Oct. 30, 2019. 
 
Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado, U.S. Army North Command Sergeant Major, was the guest speaker.

Inducted were Staff Sgt. Alexander Bach, Staff Sgt. Kacie Kennedy, Staff Sgt. Charles Mays Jr., Staff Sgt. Brandy Ritch, and Staff Sgt. Jazmi Swingler.

Swingler, a drill instructor assigned to the Medical Professional Training Brigade, received a special surprise as her father, retired Sergeant Maj. Arthur Swingler, himself a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, presented her with the ribbon he received when inducted in into the SAMC in 1999.

"In seeking membership into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, NCOs like the ones we will induct today, vowed to go the extra mile in ensuring their Soldiers have the knowledge, experience," Delgado said. "Throughout my career, I've met a host of exceptional NCOs, from every walk of life, from every military specialty, who have sought to become the very best leaders they can be. These NCOs have exemplified leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and concern for Families."

Induction into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is an arduous process, consisting of a recommendation by the Soldier's non-commissioned officer chain of command to participate in the rigorous board examination process. Only the absolute best Soldiers are recommended and inducted. The club recognizes noncommissioned officers who set the highest standards of leadership, excellence and exemplify the characteristics of Sgt. Audie Murphy.

When a soldier is inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, he or she is given the medallion above which is approximately two inches in diameter. The medallion is suspended by a broad powder-blue ribbon representing the traditional color of the infantry. The medallion is worn around the neck on the outside of the Class A, or dress blue uniform, for official functions such as military balls or Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meetings.

JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was established in 2000, when Command Sgt. Adolph M. Arista Jr.  directed the formation of a local chapter. In 2002, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was redesignated the SMA Van Autreve Chapter.