A new era of millennial military leadership

Photo By Maj. Matt Murphy | Second Lt. Konstantin Klyuchik is pinned on his new rank during the Officer Candidate School graduation for the 215th Regional Training Institute Sept. 11 at Papago park Military Reservation. The Arizona Army National Guard welcomed 14 new officers in to its ranks on the 15th anniversary of the attacks on 9-11. In keeping with tradition family and friends were allowed to pin the new rank on the Guardsmen.(U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Matthew Murphy)  

PHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES

09.11.2016

Story by Capt. Matt Murphy 

Arizona National Guard Public Affairs

PHOENIX - Fifteen years ago when 9/11 changed the world, it planted a seed in the mind of then fifth-grader Nathan Pallat. Today, this millennial took his oath to usher in a new era of military leadership in company with 13 other classmates commemorating the graduation of OCS Class 56 of the 215th Regional Training Institute at Papago Park Military Reservation.

Pallat is now a commissioned officer in the Arizona Army National Guard.
"9/11 set the course for me," Pallat said. "I have family members who served and after college, I decided it was time."

The anniversary of 9/11 couldn't be a better time of solemn reflection as the 14-member class swore to "uphold and defend the constitution of the
United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

RTI Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Craig Norton said for most of these graduates, during their lifetimes, the country has been at war. "For this generation to gravitate towards leadership is a credit to this group of
millennials," Norton said.

Norton shared the common question for an officer candidate is to ask "why." "We always give a purpose for instruction or tasks as we train future military leaders," Norton said. "With millennials, they ask 'why' even more and that means our purpose is under more scrutiny."

Millennial officer candidates and the cadre that teach them experience a bit of communication clash in the process of training this new era of military leaders. "Learning to communicate in the military environment is a culture shock," Pallat said. "Learning that not everyone uses texting, and adjusting to formalities like writing memos made communicating difficult at times."

While preferred methods of millennial communication presented mission challenges through their course and adapting to a more direct approach,
Pallat said his fellow graduates didn't let that stop them from leveraging it amongst them.

"We are all friends on social media," Pallat said. "We are definitely more connected as a result. It gave our friends and especially our families and spouses an opportunity to really get to know one another and we are closer because of it."

Norton recognizes that today's millennial officer possesses the skill and ability to spread initial information far better. "We are learning from one another," Norton said. "Nine of the 14 graduating officers had no prior military service. Again, this is a credit to the millennial. The challenges of serving and leading today's Soldiers will only increase."

• Date Taken: 09.11.2016
• Date Posted: 09.14.2016 16:25
• Story ID: 209621
• Location: PHOENIX, AZ, US