Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels | North Carolina National Guard Army Brig. Gen. John Byrd, the assistant adjutant...... read more read more
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FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – A member of the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Regiment filled the air with musical notes from a bagpipe as the oldest color guard in Fayetteville marched to the stage to post the colors during the North Carolina Military Academy’s (NCMA) graduation ceremony of 19 newly commissioned officers at the John F. Kennedy Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, Aug, 27, 2016.
The NCMA’s mission since its establishment in 1959 is to develop and produce commissioned officers for the state through its Officers Candidate School program.
“Being a leader is like being a parent, a brother or sister and a friend all rolled into one,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Byrd, the assistant adjutant general of domestic operations. “At times you must be stern, pass judgment fairly and honorably, and at other times you must be approachable and willing to listen. This is a delicate balance you will learn over time. If you take care of your soldiers they will take care of you.”
Family members stood smiling, waving and applauding as their loved ones file into the auditorium’s front row, made a left face to face the stage and stood at attention with their chests out and heads held high.
“When I enlisted I knew I wanted to serve. I knew I wanted to lead and represent my family in the military,” said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Roland Macher, an intelligence officer assigned to the 690th Brigade Support Battalion. “I felt like it was my time to repay our country for such a great place to live. I have always had a passion for leading, and I think you have to continue to develop yourself as a leader. What better way to do that than a leadership school?”
The 139th Regimental Training Institute puts candidates through an 18-month rigorous training program that is broken into three phases. Throughout these three phases, candidates physical toughness is tested with five to ten-mile foot marches, water survival training, and various other physical training. While combating physical exhaustion, candidates embody the citizen-soldier mentality by balancing their civilian careers with learning land navigation skills, field leadership, operations, troop-leading procedures, military heritage and history, and much more.
“In phase I, the physical and mental exhaustion overall is tough,” said Macher. “In phase II, the balancing of civilian and military career is the most difficult part and phase three is mental. You just have to get through it.”
During the ceremony, select candidates were recognized for their outstanding performance in Army physical fitness, academics, leadership, honor and distinguished honor graduates, and acceptance of the NCNG Association Award. U.S. Army Col. Robert Wright, the 113th Sustainment Brigade commander, and 34-year veteran, was also presented with an award and inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame.
Wright said that looking at the names already on the Hall of Fame list is an honor.
“I feel humbled and honored to be in such rare company of some of the leaders that I looked up to when I was a young lieutenant. Some of those names are people I have worked for or worked with so I am honored to be a part of that.”
Wright also gave praise and thanks to his wife, Amy.
“I couldn’t do this without that young lady right there (pointing to his wife),” said Wright. “She was with me when I went through OCS. I poured out of the car on Sundays. She would put me to bed; made sure I got back up and came back the next weekend.”
At the completion of the award presentation, Byrd stood in front of the 19 lieutenants and asked if they and any other officers in the room would stand and raise their right hand as they all recited the Oath of Office of North Carolina.
“You should all be proud of the path you have chosen,” said Byrd. “As you begin your journey today, accept nothing less than the best from yourself and your subordinates.”
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.30.2016 16:12 |
| Story ID: | 208525 |
| Location: | NC, US |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NC Guard: The Next Generation of Leaders, by SFC Leticia Samuels, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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