There is something to admire about ALL 7 CENTURIONS mentioned in the New Testament. If you purposed to start a non-profit organization focused on helping former military members use their gifts and talents in pursuit of the Great Commission you better first do a Bible Study on this concept and this unique profession. Several months ago, I did this through the assistance of a 75-year old commentary written by Pastor G. Campbell Morgan. Serving as the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London (during both World War I and World War II), G. Campbell Morgan was a leading Bible scholar of his day (also served at Biola in Los Angeles) and he penned a commentary called "The Seven Centurions of the New Testament." Here is the website for Dr. Morgan's commentary: http://www.jesus.org/birth-of-jesus/roman-world/the-seven-centurions-of-the-new-testament.html
Here's the final paragraph of Dr. Morgan's commentary on the Seven Centurions of the New Testament:
"In all these centurions there is something to admire; in some of them much to admire; and in one of them at least everything to admire. The three first mentioned stand out upon the page of the New Testament and are remarkable in many ways. This one came to seek the aid of Christ for his slave, and uttered the remarkable words of my text. At the crucifixion another centurion watched the dying of the Man of Nazareth, and so keen and accurate was his observation that he said, "Truly this was the Son of God." Of Cornelius the highest things are written."
Here is a short summary of the seven centurions of the New Testament
CENTURION 1: Luke 7:1-10
This centurion came to seek the aid of Christ for his slave
Verse 9: When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”
------------------------------------------------------
CENTURION 2: Matthew 27:54 // Mark 15:39
At the crucifixion, this centurion watched Jesus dying, and so keen and accurate was his observation that he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"
------------------------------------------------------
CENTURION 3 (Cornelius): Acts 10:1-7
In the book of Acts, we find Cornelius, a devout man, the first Gentile believer to be baptized by the church.
Verse 2: He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
Verse 4: The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
------------------------------------------------------
CENTURION 4: Acts 22:25-29
A centurion placing bonds upon Paul, and, as Paul objects, immediately seeking the advice of his superior officer.
Verse 26: When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”
------------------------------------------------------
CENTURIONS 5 & 6: Acts 23:23
We see two centurions taking Paul to Felix and protecting him from the threatened hostility of the crowd.
------------------------------------------------------
CENTURION 7 (Julius) Acts 27:1-28:16
Finally, Julius was the centurion responsible for taking Paul to Rome. He enacted the mission capably and humanely and became interested in Paul, so much so that he saved him from death at the hands of the soldiers in the hour of threatened shipwreck.
Verses 42-43: The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan.