Photo By Sgt. Claire Charles | Officer Candidate Dujon Leslie leads a platoon during a tactical movement during phase...... read more read more
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – In 2003, the United States Air Force Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” zoomed through the air with majestic twirls and spins in a Connecticut air show.
Thirteen-year-old Dujon Leslie was captivated by the precise air formations and vowed to one day be able to fly such an impressive aircraft. Dujon’s middle school class excitedly met the pilots and asked questions about their job.
“If you want to be able to fly, you have to become an officer in the military,” said the pilot.
Officer Candidate Dujon Leslie, a native of Providence, R.I., recalls that his goal to become a pilot started on that fateful meeting.
“I want to become an officer to be in a position to make change, lead others and be a good example to Soldiers,” said Leslie.
Leslie enlisted in the military in 2008 and became a non-commissioned officer (NCO) with deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. After completing a bachelor’s degree in computer science, he began pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
“The Army helped to pay for my college and I took advantage of every opportunity the military provided me,” said Leslie. “I achieved a goal of going to college and knew that I had to fulfill my dream of flying.
Prospective military pilots must have a college degree and be commissioned officers to qualify for flight school.
Leslie was accepted into Officer Candidate School (OCS) with the 243rd Regiment Regional Training Institute, Rhode Island Army National Guard. OCS is an 18-month rigorous program that emphasizes high physical standards and trains candidates to be proficient military leaders.
“OCS teaches basic soldiering skills with land navigation, operation order process, six-mile, nin- mile and twelve-mile ruck marches as well a culminating field training event,” said Maj. Damyan Graves, commander, Detachment 1, 166th Regional Training Institute, Pennsylvania Army National Guard. “OCS gives candidates military skills and further develops inherent leadership abilities they already have.”
While participating in the culminating field training exercise of the three-phase OCS program, Leslie reflected on how he has become a better Soldier and leader.
“OCS teaches critical thinking skills. You must make a decision, take ownership and responsibility and be able to properly execute the mission,” said Leslie.
Leslie plans to continue his military career and achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot upon graduation from OCS. He will incorporate his military skills with his civilian career where he works as a scientist for the Department of the Navy.
He realizes that leadership is not about self, but about making a contribution to the Soldiers and people he serves.
| Date Taken: | 08.10.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2020 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 375687 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Officer Candidate Leslie: A Soldier’s lifelong dream of becoming a pilot, by SGT Claire Charles, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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