JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence recently welcomed two new members into the Sergeant Major of the Army Leon L. Autreve Chapter of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
Inducted into the prestigious military club were Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Helgeson and Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Tucker during a ceremony at Blesse Auditorium at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on Nov. 22, 2024. Command Sgt. Maj. Victor J. Laragione, MEDCoE command sergeant major, officiated over the ceremony that included guest speaker Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Helton, the incoming command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Futures Command.
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 absolutely 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, an American hero.
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was established in 2000, when the installation command sergeant major Command Sgt. Adolph M. Arista Jr. directed the formation of a local chapter. In 2002, the JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club was redesignated the SMA Van Autreve Chapter.
Today, the club is a thriving chapter with monthly functions to aid in the support of JBSA-Fort Sam Houston's soldiers and community's interests. The SMA Van Autreve Chapter, which has the distinction of being the first chartered club in the MEDCOM, is committed to community and installation involvement.