Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Seventeen newly commissioned officers of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 122nd...... read more read more
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Thirteen officer candidates of the Georgia Army National Guard’s Georgia Military Institute and four officer candidates of the accelerated officer candidate school program received their commissions as 2nd lieutenants during a ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga. The ceremony marks the culmination of 18 months of training by the officer candidates of OCS Class 56.
“I can’t even describe the feeling, said 2nd Lieutenant John Hamil. “It has been a long ride. I am ready to get my career started.”
Hamil will serve as platoon leader in the 1-108th Cavalry Squadron, along with fellow OCS 56 graduates 2nd Lt. Jonathan Biles, 2nd Lt. Justin Fogt. and 2nd Lt. Menendez.
During the commissioning ceremony, the new second lieutenants were administered the oath of office and pinned with their new rank. Following tradition, the new officers received their first salute from an individual of their choosing. Second Lt. Thomas Holman’s first salute came from his brothers, Staff Sgt. Ryan Holman and Cpl. Richard Holman, both of the 121st Infantry. A former staff sergeant with Company H, 121st Infantry (Long Range Surveillance), 2nd Lt. Holman, praised the curriculum and instructors of the OCS program.
“I learned a lot about leadership,” said Holman. “As a former staff sergeant, I have been in charge of Soldiers, but I learned so much here. Our cadre taught me things I never knew. They taught me how to lead.”
Holman will go on to Fort Rucker, Ala. for aviation training. In addition to serving as class president for OCS 56, Holman received the Erickson Trophy which recognizes the distinguished honor graduate of the OCS Class as well as the leadership award, recognizing the officer candidate who received the highest rating from instructors and peers.
Second Lt. Justin Fogt, who will branch infantry, was recognized with the academic award for achieving the highest combined score in all tests. Second Lt. Marie Poore achieved the highest score in physical training and was presented with the physical fitness award. Poore will attend follow-on training in the adjutant general branch.
Following the ceremony, the new lieutenants met with representatives from their units of assignment. Major John Fuchko, and Command Sgt. Major. William Thomas, command team of the 221st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion, welcomed 2nd Lt. Alexander Sawdye, 2nd Lt. Michael Noone and 2nd Lt. Samuel Tart to the Fort Gillem-based unit.
“I have wanted to get into the 221st since I first enlisted," said Sawdye.
Holding his son Jackson in his arms, Tart was also enthusiastic about the path before him.
“It is a huge release,” said Tart reminiscing over the past 18 months. “It was good to see everything come together We put in a lot of hard work to get here.”
The Georgia Military Institute, part of the Georgia National Guard’s 122nd Regional Training Institute, serves as the officer candidate school for the Georgia Army National Guard. The traditional state National Guard OCS class commits to 18 months of training during drill weekends and two summer annual training events. Of the 17 new officers, 13 completed the traditional National Guard OCS while four completed an accelerated OCS program over the course of three months.
Once accepted into the Georgia National Guard OCS program, candidates are subjected to a series of academic challenges and arduous tasks to test them both physically and mentally. They train in the academics of leadership in a classroom setting and take to the field to learn small unit tactics and unit leadership. The rigorous program is designed to push officer candidates to their limit.
“It has been a constant mental and physical battle juggling (OCS), a job and a family,” said Fogt. The biggest challenge for me was balancing work and training requirements.”
In the end, Fogt and fellow graduates of OCS 56 weathered the 18-month program and will go on to serve in units across the state, from Dalton to Savannah. The next phase of their training will take them to U.S. Army installations where they will train side by side with U.S. Army active and reserve officers as well as National Guard officers from other states.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2017 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 244831 |
| Location: | MARIETTA, GA, US |
| Hometown: | MARIETTA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 756 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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