Sergeant Audie Murphy Club welcomes new member
Staff Sgt. Philip D. Sellers, a future-plans noncommissioned officer-in-charge from 4th BCT, 1st Armored Div., performs pushups administered by the Fort Bliss Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Aug. 27. Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Garibay, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
Sgt. Edward A. Garibay,
16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment:
After months of rigorous trials, the newest member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, Fort Bliss Chapter, passed his final test – a selection board with a panel of the post’s most senior noncommissioned officers – and was welcomed into the club Aug. 28.
To become part of this elite group of noncommissioned officers, Staff Sgt. Philip D. Sellers, a future-plans noncommissioned officer-in-charge from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, had to undergo multiple assessments of his Soldiering skills, instructional capability, physical fitness, attention to detail and overall leadership ability.
“It’s definitely a huge milestone in my Army career,” said Sellers, a 17-year veteran with five combat deployments. “All the stress is worth it; it’s a great thing.”
Staff Sgt. Philip D. Sellers, a future-plans noncommissioned officer-in-charge from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, performs a sit-up during an Army physical fitness test administered by the Fort Bliss Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Aug. 27. Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Garibay, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
The San Antonio native was the only one out of more than a dozen candidates who hoped to become SAMC members this quarter.
“It’s a great personal achievement, but the truth of it, it’s really an achievement for all those you’ve led and all those you will lead in the future,” said Sgt. Maj. Edward Leonard, a senior SAMC member. “To be a part of SAMC means you represent more than just yourself. SAMC calls the Noncommissioned Officer Corps to pull forth and inspire the best to go forward and set that example for all others to follow.”
The truth of those words can be seen in the actions of the club and its members. Sellers will now join the ranks of these elite NCOs as they go out into the Fort Bliss and local El Paso community and volunteer to make it a better place.
SAMC members help feed the homeless, donate to underprivileged school programs, conduct fundraising to help Soldiers in distress, and march in support of cancer survivors. Moreover, SAMC members can be seen helping Soldiers, peers and even seniors in their day-to-day life.
Command Sgt. Maj. Larry A. Parks, left, senior-enlisted leader for 15th Sustainment Brigade, 1st AD, welcomes Staff Sgt. Philip D. Sellers, a future-plans noncommissioned officer-in-charge from 4th BCT, 1st AD, into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club after his final selection board here Aug. 28. Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Garibay, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
“When I came to Fort Bliss, it was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to work with Sergeant Audie Murphy Club members,” said Sellers, describing why he wanted to be a part of the club. “I saw how they carried themselves professionally and I saw their level of competence – I just wanted to volunteer with them and be a part of a group of outstanding leaders.”
The final SAMC selection board is held quarterly. For those interested in becoming part of SAMC, learning more about the club or identifying brigade SAMC representatives, visit www.Facebook.com/BlissSAMC.
Short URL: http://fbmonitor.com/?p=15398
