300th inductee and first Hungarian officer join Command and General Staff College International Hall of Fame

Attendees of the Army University’s Command and General Staff College International Hall of Fame induction ceremony stand at attention for the playing of the Malaysian and Hungarian national anthems at the Lewis and Clark Center Oct. 11, 2024. (All photos by Dan Neal, ArmyU Public Affairs)

(Sarah Hauck, ArmyU Public Affairs) The Army University’s Command and General Staff College inducted its 300th and the first Hungarian international alumni into the International Hall of Fame (IHOF) in a ceremony at the Lewis and Clark Center Oct. 11, 2024.

The event recognized General Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, Chief of Army, Malaysian Armed Forces, Command and General Staff Officers Course (CGSOC) Class of 2001; and, Major General Tamas Sandor, Service Inspector Special Operations, Hungarian Armed Forces, CGSOC Class of 2003.

Hafizuddeain bin Jantan became the 300th inductee overall, and the third inductee from Malaysia. Sandor was the 301st inductee and the first officer from Hungary.

The IHOF comprises CGSC graduates who have returned to their home countries and risen to the highest positions of uniformed leadership within their home countries’ Defense Forces.

“This is an incredibly significant day – and this induction ceremony represents the fulfillment of the potential that resides within each student in this military education institution and is a direct return on the investment made jointly by our respective militaries in the professional military education of our officers,” said CGSC Commandant Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr., the host of the event.

General Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan, Chief of Army, Malaysian Armed Forces, and 300th International Hall of Fame inductee speaks during the induction ceremony Oct. 11, 2024.

Gen.Tan Sri Dato’ Wira Muhammad Hafizuddeain bin Jantan

Hafizuddeain began his military career in 1985, commissioning in 1988.

He reached the pinnacle of his career in September 2023 with a promotion to general and appointment as the 30th Chief of Army Malaysia.

The CGSC class of 2001 produced many successful alumni, Hafizuddeain explained, to include U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.

His classmates have forged historic military careers, many of whom he said he has stayed in touch with. These relationships are something he challenged the current Command and General Staff Officer Course students to create and nurture.

“I humbly stand before you today as one of the end products produced from CGSC Class 2001,” Hafizuddeain said.

Major General Tamas Sandor

A graduate of CGSOC class of 2003, Sandor started his military career commissioning as an infantry officer in 1989.

He achieved the pinnacle of his career as the “Father of Hungarian Special Forces” in 2022 when he was named the first commander of the Joint Special Operations Command.

CGSC Foundation President/CEO Lora Morgan, right, presents, Major General Tamas Sandor, Service Inspector Special Operations, Hungarian Armed Forces, with a miniature Fort Leavenworth Lamp designating him as an honorary life constituent of the CGSC Foundation. Morgan presented a Lamp to each inductee during the International Hall of Fame induction ceremony Oct. 11, 2024.

Sandor is also the first Hungarian CGSOC alumni to be inducted into the IHOF.

A scholar service member, Sandor studied three times in the United States, with his time at CGSOC being his first and most memorable stay in the U.S.

“The knowledge gained here and the experience of teamwork within my study group has helped me lead the formation of the Hungarian Special Operations Force and Hungarian Joint Special Operations Force in a more mature way, better prepared to face the challenges I have faced during that force development, “Sandor said. “It was also this experience that taught me not only how to lead, but also how to encourage young, talented officers to seize the initiative because they may make mistakes, but learning from mistakes will make them better leaders and make the future Army more successful.”

Sandor shared that his CGSOC experience encouraged him to see the need for change and ability to answer “what if” questions to be effective and decisive leaders trusted within their formations.

International Hall of Fame

In 1973, the Kansas City Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, and the Alumni Association – the predecessor of the CGSC Foundation – jointly established the IHOF.

The purpose is to provide a means of recognition for international graduates, who through military merit, attained qualifying positions of importance in their respective country’s armed forces; or who have held an equivalent position by rank or responsibility in a recognized multinational military organization.

The IHOF now comprises 301 officers from 81 different countries. Portraits of all the inductees are in the IHOF display in the Lewis and Clark Center. The display is a highlight for visitors to the College.

For more photos see the CGSC Flickr album

View the video of the full ceremony on the CGSC Facebook page