25ID Sergeant Audie Murphy Association presents

Lead From the Front

A practical guide to earning the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award

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Foreward

When I began preparing for the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award selection board I used every resource I
could find. Unfortunately most of the resources I looked through just werent as thorough as I was
looking for. I ended up cross referencing several study guides which none of it really gave me any
insight into the board process, I had never faced situational questioning before and was unsure of what
questions would be asked. Im sure in your referencing as you prepare for the board you will find the
proverbial A man is at the lake with his wife and shes bitten by a snake but hes drunk and he
drove but you wont find much else aside from facts about Audie Leon Murphy. What you will find
here is the 25ID Sergeant Audie Murphy Associations modern and current study guide.


Joshua L. Hohenstein
President
25ID Sergeant Audie Murphy Association

Preparing for the Board

When you look at your Memorandum of Instruction (MOI) for the board it may seem a little
overwhelming. There are no questions to study for, only content for your subject areas. This may throw
you off a little and send you down a frustrating road of attempting to read entire manuals. If that works
then go for it, but that didnt work for me and I had to find a more effective way to study. I was a
candidate at the same time as two NCOs who were very smart, they studied religiously and had been
going to meetings long before I ever even got involved with the awards process. I listened to them as
they went back and forth asking each other questions about topics I was familiar with but they knew all
the answers. How many of this, how many types of that, what the definition of this was. I couldnt help
but feel a little unprepared in comparison. I thought well Im not going to remember everything, I can
hardly keep Audies biography straight in my mind, I had to prioritize. I looked at all of the topics on
the MOI and thought, how do I refine what knowledge I already have in a way that would better my
abilities as an NCO, and my chances at the board. What do I NEED to know? Heres what I decided:

1) Army Policies/Programs In order to take care of your Soldiers, you need to know what tools are
available. Equal Opportunity and SHARP are the two biggest. If you dont get well versed on them,
restricted/unrestricted reporting and formal/informal complaints might get switched up in your
mind, and under pressure can make you look very much like you have no idea what you are talking
about. Know the differences between all of those reporting methods like who they can report to for
what, how much you get your chain of command involved, what types of investigations can occur.
You also have to know how these things affect not only the victim but the accused. If you dont
know that you have to flag and counsel your Soldier, the command may need to initiate a no
contact order, or restrict him to post. Know your Army Body Composition Program, Resiliency
Training, POV inspections, domestic violence consequences, DUIs, etc. What ARE you going to
do Sergeant? The important take away of this is not if you know what flag code the Soldier gets,
the body fat worksheet for females/males number difference, what point inspection the POV
inspection is or what article under the UCMJ covers domestic violence, just how to react to the
situation.
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2) Know Your Basic Soldier/NCO Skills Every MOS is different, and Ive seen a variety MOS go
through the selection board. Youre probably already comfortable in your MOS specific tasks, and
shouldnt really spend too much time on it unless you are really lacking in it, or have done staff
jobs or others not necessarily aligned with your MOS and need to refresh. What you must know are
your basic Soldier skills. Focus on how to help your Soldier that cant qualify with his assigned
weapon, be able to describe what you would do in the event you encountered that. Know how to
help a Soldier who fails an APFT, and enforce the Army standards if they continue to fail. Physical
Fitness is an individuals responsibility but in my MOS (11B) that line wouldnt work to explain a
220 Platoon APFT average. If youre in a STRYKER or mechanized unit you should know how to
properly maintain the equipment, the maximum speed of them is probably going to be irrelevant.
Know how to account for your equipment after you train, know what to do on cq and staff duty.
Ultimately, you arent going to be prepared for each question you face. Thats why it is important
to have a wide array of knowledge on a lot of topics. You are going to have to pull from your
memory of an entire topic to answer a situational question on it. The more you know about it, the
better your answer will be. If you know everything about marksmanship but nothing about
equipment maintenance youre not really painting yourself as a total non-commissioned officer.
Look at the MOI and start doing some reading, Sergeants Major love NCOs who know something
that they dont (I dont think any of them would ever admit to it). Little known and fun facts about
a topic show youve done some resourcing and reading and arent entirely pulling from your
experience base.

3) Leadership These are going to be the majority of the questions you face, if not all of them. The
CSMs in your unit want to know who you are as a leader, not how well you can study. They will
ask you questions that have no manual to study from. So all of the NCO of the Year type people
who thrive on memorization have difficulty here. Ive seen NCOs who are extremely competent
fail the board because of these type questions simply because they are so smart they over think it
and give robot like answers filled with manual numbers, two-dollar military words and technical
data. You are a good leader, you wouldnt be reading this or getting ready to compete against
yourself for the award. When you face questions or situations you may not have encountered before
just be honest with what you would do. The CSMs in your unit will most definitely see through
any bologna that you try to spit at them. If you didnt answer the question thoroughly enough dont
worry, they will ask you more questions on the topic to clarify your knowledge base. The important
thing to remember that no matter how well you answer the question, there will probably be a
follow-up question to accompany it. Just get your foot in the door with a short, logical and
intelligent answer. Keep fighting the small fights through the board instead of trying to wow the
CSM with your extensive knowledge, it back fires every time Ive seen it attempted. They are
going to want to see if you know how to take care of your Soldiers. At the end we will go over
some types of current situational questions that apply to a wide array of topics, with the emphasis
on leadership.






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Appearing before the Board

Entrance: When you are ready to enter the board room, knock firmly and loudly enough to
demonstrate your confidence and determination. Three or four taps should be enough. Wait for the
invitation to enter and march in the most direct route towards the president of the board. Halt
approximately two steps in front of the president and execute a facing movement if necessary. Execute
a hand salute and report with the appropriate reporting procedure. Make sure the word President of the
Board and Sergeant Major are in there somewhere. Dont say as ordered, or get crazy with it, this is
your first impression.

Initial Inspection: Remember youre being examined for proper execution of the salute and proper
uniform so you may be holding the salute for a while because of the inspection. After the president of
the board has dropped his/her hand, then drop your salute. After the salute you will probably be given
some facing and marching movements. Make sure that your arms move at a natural rhythm with your
marching movements. Dont overthink it, and be prepared for a Sergeant Major to get out of his seat
and come look at you. There may be nothing wrong with your uniform (if there is someone along the
way failed you big time). If your confidence is skin deep, this CSM getting up and checking your
uniform will create doubt in yourself. Sure your branch insignia is 1/16
th
of an inch off and your tie
was a little long. It doesnt matter, as long as you didnt forget put your name plate on underneath your
coat, and there isnt more than 4 or 5 deficiencies youll be ok. The intent is to rattle your military
bearing before you even start. I havent seen many candidates recover from getting their world rocked
during this. When I went they said my steps were too short when marching and my arms were bowed
and looked like I was holding dumbbells. A CSM came to look if my unit award leaves were pointed
up (they were).

Finding your Seat: In most cases the president of the board will move you directly to the chair via
marching movements. In any case make a mental note of where the chair is located when you are
making your marching or facing movements. When the president tells you to take your seat, sit at the
position of attention: heels and knees together, feet at a 45 degree angle, and hands resting on top of
your legs. Keep your arms to your sides, your head upright, and your eyes looking at the person that is
speaking to you. When the president introduces each member of the board, acknowledge each member
in turn. A Sergeant Major asked me how I was doing and I told him I was good and inquired into how
his day was going as well, all of the members got a chuckle that I was the only one who asked how he
was doing. Remember they are people too. Not robots sent from the future to destroy your self-esteem.

Off the bat: The first thing you will probably be asked is for you to tell the board a little about
yourself. Practice your responses several times prior to going to the board while seated before a mirror
or another person. Your nerves are still going to be wracked at this point.

This is a pretty standard bio recital, keep it to two sentences or about 30 seconds (it will feel like 5
minutes). The thing I see with bios is that candidates either start giving WAY too much information
because they are nervous or they forget important things like that theyre married with two kids. They
dont need to know what platoon you were in, keep it to Brigades, and maybe battalion if you start
freaking out and talking too much. Contrary to many a candidates belief, the bio recital and initial
questions are meant to put you at ease before the questioning begins. Use this time to ramp down your
heart rate if you can, control your breathing and get a grip on yourself. Most of the time I felt as if my
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heart was in my throat pounding, taking deep breaths will make your body aware of what it is doing
and help you consciously deescalate your BPM.


Audie Murphys Story: If you mess everything else in the board up, do not mess this up. You have a
couple of options. At this point you have reported, marched around, been inspected, told them about
yourself and started the story. You should say his biography out loud to a mirror and peers at least 5
times a day for a month in its entirety before you even showed up the morning of. The stress of
everything prior to the board and if you took any hits for your uniform, marching or bio the
nervousness and stress is going to amplify by 10 when you start to say Audies story. You have two
choices, if you look directly at the wall (most people use this) and say the bio, its the easiest to
remember because its probably how you practiced. I can pretty much guarantee though that if you
mess any part of it up while you are giving the wall behind the President the medusa gaze, you will get
booted. I kind of oscillated my head like a fan when I said Audies story, I hadnt planned it, it just
happened. I ended up skipping 2 or so sentences but because I said it confidently and actually looked at
all of them while I said it, made an impression and they let me start the paragraph over and add the
missing info. I also didnt miss a beat during my recital, to include catching that I missed some words.

Answering Questions: First and foremost, be prepared for setbacks. You are going to get asked a
question that you dont know the answer to. Do not under any circumstance tell him youll find him
later and tell him, later will be too late and youll be halfway through your Haagen-Dazs ice cream
watching Jerry McGuire on the couch with tear soaked tissues around you. Try to answer the question
to the best of your ability, if they dont react how youd want to the answer, rephrase it and say it
again. Keep doing this until they start yelling at you, then tell them you dont know. They will
probably question you some more, then move on. Some CSMs have one answer in their mind that
they want, if you dont get it they will just continue, some are nice enough to give you hints to lead you
to the answer, some arent. If you get to the point where youre losing your bearing and are close to an
outburst or shutdown of some kind, just continue to attempt to answer the question. Theyre going to
put pressure on your military bearing and see if you crack. Anyone can come up with some
cockamamie story, it takes true courage to tell someone senior, peer or subordinate that you dont
know something. Of course if you say you dont know to every question your chances wont be good.
Anticipate to be asked questions from multiple board members at the same time. Another tactic to
break your bearing. Just answer the question from the original board member then address the
presidents question if he asked one, then the remaining board member questions.
Dont be afraid to ask them to repeat a question, you can also use this to stall and get about
another 5-10 seconds to think about the question. Dont abuse it though or the next place you might go
after the board is audiology. While youre answering your questions the board members might get up
and leave the room (for legitimate reasons or to distract you), talk to each other, look under the table,
lean over the table, review your packet for way longer than any of the other board members do (they
are probably genuinely interested in the information contained in it, but all you will think is oh man I
never got that duty assignment month duration fixed and all of my months dont add up, he just caught
it! hes probably just checking your NCOERs out or actually reading everything in there.)
Your abilities as a leader are really going to come out during the questioning because you are
going to have to react to something that you dont know. Just be yourself, be truthful, tactful and
professional. If you dont know, attempt to answer if and couldnt slip by with it just admit it. Dont
use the I know I can find it in this FM. cop out more than once. You should at least field an attempt
at the question before you throw in the towel. Remember the questions you are asked and how you
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respond to them will open you up for more. So dont leave any doubt in your answer. Most situational
questions compound on the actual situation. That is to say, one question leads to another on the same
subject. Soldier buys a gun, what do you do? Ok now he got a concealed carry permit, what now? He
got pulled over with a concealed weapon after his permit expired, what are your actions Sergeant? Etc.


Situational Questions:
Ill provide an example of a situational question tree and how it becomes compounded because thats
where the trouble starts. I wont give you 1,000 situational questions to study because you probably
wont be asked them.

Example:
You have a Soldier who is overweight and recently failed the APFT, what would you do to help her
with regard to the Army Body Composition Program, and how can you help her pass the next APFT,
and when should that APFT be?

You answer

30 days later she fails the APFT again, and has busted tape for the second consecutive month IAW AR
600-9. What are your actions?

You Answer

During the separation process she says Soldiers have been making fun of her weight and that she is a
dirt bag to all of the other Soldiers. Junior Enlisted Soldiers dont stand at parade rest for her and some
often make blatantly disrespectful comments to her face. How would you deal with that?

You Answer

She will be leaving the Army in 30 days and you need to start her NCOER, what type of NCOER
would it be, and how would you rate her in Physical Fitness and Military Bearing?

You Answer

Two weeks before she leaves the Army she comes up to you and says that another Soldier in her
building took advantage of her while she was drunk and raped her. What do you do? What are some
things you should consider?

As you can see your knowledge is tested in a practical way, you can apply this question tree
progression to any topic. Your study group, sponsor and even your spouse can help you develop these
for you to practice on and start to develop your adaptability which is what you will need.
Ultimately know that the Command Sergeants Major in your unit want you to be successful, if you
keep that in your mind you will be just fine. Study diligently and work hard. Once you receive the
award is when the true work really begins.


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The Biography of Audie Murphy

Audie Leon Murphy was a
legend in his own time. A war hero, movie actor, writer of country
and western songs, and poet. His biography read more like fiction
than fact. He lived only 46 years, but made a lasting impression on
American history. Audie was born on a sharecroppers farm in North
Texas on June 20, 1924. As a boy, he chopped cotton for one dollar a
day and was noted for his feats of derring-do and his accuracy with a
gun. He had only 5 years of schooling and was orphaned at age 16.
After being refused enlistment during World War II in both the
Marines and Paratroopers for being too small (55")
and underweight (110 lbs.), he enlisted in the U.S. Army a few days
after his 18th birthday. After basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and advanced training at Fort George G.
Meade, Maryland, Audie was sent overseas.
He was assigned to the famous 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division where he fought in
North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. He earned a battlefield commission for his courage and
leadership ability, as well as, citations and decorations including every medal for valor that America gives. He
was also awarded one Belgian and three French medals. Lieutenant Audie Murphy is the highest decorated
soldier in American history. Discharged from the Army on September 21, 1945, Audie went to Hollywood at the
invitation of movie star James Cagney. He remained in California for the rest of his life and was closely
associated with the movie industry, both as an actor and a producer.
He acted in 44 films starring in 39 of them. His best known film is "To Hell and Back", adapted from
the best-selling book of his war experiences by the same name. Most of his movies were westerns. In 1955,
Audie Murphy was voted the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion Picture Exhibitors. Audie
wrote the lyrics to 16 country and western songs, the most popular of which was "Shutters and Boards", written
with Scott Turner in 1962. The song was recorded by over 30 pop singers, including Jerry Wallace, Dean
Martin, and Porter Waggoner. He was an accomplished poet; unfortunately, only a few of his poems have
survived. In 1950 Audie joined the 36th Infantry Division ("T-Patchers") of the Texas National Guard and
served with it until 1966. He was a Mason and a Shriner and belonged to several veterans organizations.
Audie Murphy was killed in a plane crash on a mountaintop near Roanoke, Virginia on May 28, 1971.
Fittingly, his body was recovered 2 days later on Memorial Day. Audie could very well be the last American war
hero. He was the greatest combat Soldier in the 200 year plus history of the United States.

I memorized the biography in these paragraphs, I painted a picture of the story I was telling in my mind and
broke his life up into 4 phases. It makes it more manageable for your mind to process.
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The History of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
The original club was started at Fort Hood, Texas early in 1986. There were several key people at Fort
Hood - officer, enlisted, civil service, and a Killeen civilian - who were instrumental in getting this
club up and running.
Leading the effort was Lieutenant General Crosbie Saint, then the III Corps commander; his Command
Sergeant Major George L. Horvath; III Corps Awards Clerk Jean Crisp, who is now Test and
Experimentation Command (TEXCOM) awards clerk, and Don Moore, a Killeen artist who assisted
with designing the logo and club awards.
In 1991, then III Corps Commander Lieutenant General Pete Taylor and Command Sergeant Major
Richard B. Cayton expanded the Fort Hood installation club to include all of III Corps. This included
Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and Fort Carson,
Colorado.
In 1993, CSM Cayton was voted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club by the membership and then
became the Forces Command Sergeant Major. Soon thereafter, the club became Forces-Command
(FORSCOM) wide, including the Reserves and National Guard.
In 1994 at a Sergeant Major of the Army conference, the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club spread Army
wide, to all commands with installations retaining the selection process for their own NCOs. In 1998, it
was estimated that the club membership was over 3000 soldiers and was steadily increasing.
Sergeant Audie Murphy
1. Where and when was Audie Murphy born?
Kingston, Texas - June 20, 1924

2. How many years of schooling did Audie Murphy have?
Five years

3. At what age was Audie Murphy orphaned?
16 years old

4. Where did Audie Murphy do basic training?
Camp Wolters, Texas

5. Where did Audie Murphy do advanced training?
Fort Meade, Maryland

6. What unit was Audie Murphy assigned to during World War II?
15
th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division

7. Where did Audie Murphy fight during WWII?
North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany
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8. What was the Service Number of Audie Murphy?
01 692 509

9. Name five of the U.S. awards that Audie Murphy earned during WWII?
Medal of Honon
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star (1 OLC)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star (w/V, 1 OLC)
Purple Heart (2 OLC)
Good Conduct Medal
Distinguished Unit Emblem (1 OLC)
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (w/Germany clasp)
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (1 Silver Star, 4 Bronze Service Stars)
Name the six foreign awards that Audie Murphy earned during WWII?
Medal of Liberated France
French Fourragere in colors of the Croix de Guerre
French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier
French Croix de Guerre (w/ Silver Star)
French Croix de Guerre (w/Palm)
Belgian Croix de Guerre (1940 Palm)

10. How many movies did Audie Murphy act in?
44

11. Name five movies that Audie Murphy acted in.

40 Guns to Apache Pass Seven Ways from Sundown
A Time for Dying Showdown
Apache Rifles Sierra
Arizona Raiders Six Black Horses
Bad Boy Texas, Heaven and Brooklyn
Battle at Bloody Beach The Cimarron Kid
Beyond Glory The Duel at Silver Creek
Bullet for a Badman The Gun Runners
Cast a Long Shadow The Guns of Fort Petticoat
Column South The Kid from Texas
Destry The Quick Gun
Drums Across the River The Quiet American
Gunpoint The Red Badge of Courage
Gunsmoke The Texican
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Hell Bent for Leather The Unforgiven
Joe Butterfly The Wild and the Innocent
Kansas Raiders To Hell and Back
Night Passage Trunk to Cairo
No Name on the Bullet Tumbleweed
Posse from Hell World in My Corner
Ride a Crooked Trail Gunfight at Comanche Creek
Ride Clear of Diablo Seven Ways from Sundown

12. How many songs were written by Audie Murphy?
16 (TRADOC Reg 600-14) (Disregard the fact that 17 are listed, the TRADOC answer is 16).

13. Name five of the songs written by Audie Murphy.

Shutters And Boards 1962
When The Wind Blows In Chicago 1962
Please Mr. Music Man Play A Song For Me 1962
Foolish Clock 1962
Leave The Weeping To The Willow Tree 1962
The Only Light I Ever Need Is You 1962
Go On And Break My Heart 1963
Willie The Hummer 1963
My Lonesome Room 1963
Elena, Goodbye 1964
Big, Big Day Tomorrow 1964
If There Is A Short Cut To Nowhere (Ill Take It) 1964
Pedros Guitar 1964
Round And Round She Goes 1965
Rattle Dance 1966
Dusty Old Helmet 1969
Was It All Worth Losing You 1970

14. What movie star invited Audie Murphy to Hollywood?
James Cagney

15. What movie was adapted from the book of Audie Murphys war experiences?
To Hell And Back

16. Which unit of the Texas Army National Guard did Audie Murphy join in 1950?
The 36
th
Infantry Division (T-Patches)

17. What is significant about the year 1955 for Audie Murphy?
That was the year his was voted as the Most Popular Western Actor in America by the Motion
Picture Exhibitors
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18. Was Audie Murphy a member of any fraternal organizations?
Yes, he was a Shriner (Mason)

19. When and how did AUDIE MURPHY die?
AUDIE MURPHY was killed in a plane crash on a mountaintop near Roanoke, Virginia on
May 28, 1971. His body was recovered 2 days later, on Memorial Day
The Original Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

1. What regulation(s) cover the Sergeant Audie Murphy Award?
Currently FORSCOM Regulation 600-80; and TRADOC Regulation 600-14

2. According to TRADOC REG 600-14, what is the purpose of induction into the Sergeant Audie
Murphy Club?
The SAMC is a means of recognizing those NCOs who have contributed significantly to the
development of a professional NCO Corps and combat ready Army. Members exemplify
leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare
of soldiers and concern for families of soldiers

3. What is the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club?
An elite organization of NCOs whose demonstrated performance and inherent leadership
qualities and abilities are characterized by those of Sergeant Audie Murphy. Remember that
Sergeant Audie Murphy Clubs as DFMWR organizations went away with FORSCOM 600-80,
they should now be privately ran 501(c) (3) nonprofit organizations.

4. When and where was the original Sergeant Audie Murphy Club started?
The original club was started at Fort Hood, Texas early in 1986

5. Who designed the SAMC logo?
Don Moore, a Killeen artist, assisted with designing the logo and club awards

6. Describe the SAMC Crest.
The crest depicts the symbols of the majestic American Bald Eagle superimposed over the olive
branch-wreath, saber, and lightning bolt. In front of the eagle are the U.S. Army staff sergeant
stripes. The eagle firmly clutches in both claws a powder-blue banner, the color of the infantry.
On the banner are displayed words Loyalty, Caring, Discipline, and Professionalism

7. What do the three stars separating the S*A*M*C in the crest represent?
The Be, Know, and Do for the NCO

8. Why is SSG rank insignia included in the crest?
Reflects Audie Murphy's highest enlisted rank

9. What does the eagle represent?
Our national bird and symbol of freedom, and the intent of the club to be nationwide

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10. What does the laurel represent?
Represents the individual achievement of the NCOs in the club

11. What does the lightning bolt represent?
It represents the swift and decisive action taken by the NCO

12. What does the sword represent?
The sword is a historical reference, a tool for the NCO to cut to the heart of the matter, to lead
the charge


13. What do the streamers represent?
The streamers indicate upon which the club bases their philosophy-Loyalty, Discipline,
Professionalism, and Caring

14. What is the SAMC motto?
You lead from the front, Audie Murphy