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    North Dakota Army Guard honors newest leaders at Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony

    North Dakota Army Guard honors newest leaders at Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony

    Photo By Jonathan Haugen | Lt. Col. Warren Pauling, a former commander of the 164th Regiment’s 1st Training...... read more read more

    DEVILS LAKE, ND, UNITED STATES

    08.16.2014

    Courtesy Story

    North Dakota National Guard Public Affairs

    DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — The newest leaders in the North Dakota Army National Guard were welcomed into the organization’s officer corps ranks during a formal graduation ceremony Aug. 16 at the 164th Regiment Regional Training Institute at the Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake. Sixteen Soldiers of the 57th Officer Candidate School (OCS) class were presented diplomas for completing the intensive officer training program. Eleven graduates immediately accepted their commissions as second lieutenants in the Army National Guard.

    “In joining the officer corps, always remember that you are expected to live the Army standards, to display the strongest character and to demonstrate the utmost integrity in all of your actions,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, who addressed the graduates during the ceremony. “Our Soldiers are smarter, more educated and more motivated than ever. They expect and deserve energy, imagination, integrity and competence from their leaders; never let them down.”

    Sprynczynatyk later presented the graduates with their diplomas, while Col. Robert Fode, commander of the N.D. National Guard’s Army Component Command, administered the Oath of Office to the newest second lieutenants. Lt. Col. Bradley Brown, commander of the 164th Regional Training Institute’s 2nd Modular Training Battalion, presided over the “Pinning Ceremony,” where the new officers donned their gold-colored second lieutenant bars. The graduating officers were joined by family members and friends during the ceremony.

    The 57th OCS class graduated after a majority of the Soldiers finished the final of a three-phase, eight-week accelerated, or “Fast Track,” course at Camp Rapid, South Dakota. In addition to the Accelerated OCS course, Soldiers can attend a traditional course, which is spread out over 16 -19 months during Guard training weekends with two additional two-week training periods. Other sources of officer commissioning are available through the North Dakota’s Reserve Officer Training Corps program with locations at the University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College — Moorhead.

    Camp Grafton Training Center’s 57th OCS graduating class includes:
    * Lionaldo J. Abinader, of Grand Forks, North Dakota
    * Mark T. Buske, of West Fargo, North Dakota
    Eric D. Edwardson, of Grand Forks, North Dakota
    *Andrew R. Groninger, of Anoka, Minnesota
    Ryan M. Hartl, of Devils Lake, North Dakota
    * Eric P. Jungels, of Fargo, North Dakota
    * Eric D. Kjeldergaard, of Grand Forks, North Dakota
    * Jennifer R. Lahren, of Grand Forks, North Dakota
    * Danielle M. Larva, of Brookston, Minnesota
    * Jenna C. Lee, of West Fargo, North Dakota
    Kellie K. Lindberg, of Minot, North Dakota
    * Ben D. McPherson, of Crookston, Minnesota
    * Jacob N. Oster, of Williston, North Dakota
    Jessica J. Peterson, of Bismarck, North Dakota
    Danielle C. Sigloh, of Killdeer, North Dakota
    * Charles R. Werner, of Upham, North Dakota

    (*) indicates acceptance of commission

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.16.2014
    Date Posted: 08.19.2014 17:29
    Story ID: 139844
    Location: DEVILS LAKE, ND, US
    Hometown: ANOKA, MN, US
    Hometown: BISMARCK, ND, US
    Hometown: BROOKSTON, MN, US
    Hometown: CROOKSTON, MN, US
    Hometown: DEVILS LAKE, ND, US
    Hometown: FARGO, ND, US
    Hometown: GRAND FORKS, ND, US
    Hometown: KILLDEER, ND, US
    Hometown: MINOT, ND, US
    Hometown: UPHAM, ND, US
    Hometown: WEST FARGO, ND, US
    Hometown: WILLISTON, ND, US

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