Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Coffey, U.S. Military Academy command sergeant major, and Master Sgt. Eric Engstrom, Company E-3 tactical noncomissioned officer, presented Task Force Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, with powder blue medallions and certificates during the Sgt. Audie Murphy Induction Ceremony on Friday at the Cadet Fine Arts Center. Staff members at the U.S. Military Academy gathered to recognize the Soldiers for their achievement. (Above) The awardees second from the left to second from the right were Sgts. 1st Class Brandon George and Tony Giannone and Staff Sgts. Ronnie Castro and Adam Cayton as they were bookended by Engstrom and Coffey.
“Command Sgt. Maj. John Farlow (G-3 operations sergeant major, above center), Sgts. 1st Class Brandon George and Tony Giannone, and Staff Sgts. Ronnie Castro and Adam Cayton received powder blue ribbon medallions for displaying integrity beyond reproach and the utmost professionalism,” Engstrom said. “Their leadership qualities can be characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development and welfare of Soldiers.”
Engstrom said the inductees were challenged with a multi-level boarding process comprised of a mixture of hands-on events and oral boards. The West Point selection process is held semi-annually, culminating with the selection of top-tier noncommissioned officers to be inducted into the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club. When an NCO is inducted, he or she is presented with a medallion (above) suspended by a broad powder blue ribbon, representing the traditional color of the infantry, and a certificate.
Photos by Jorge Garcia/PV