2nd Lt. Jeffrey Brooks, Officer Candidate School Class 57 graduate, stands while being pinned during a ceremony at Bethany Beach Training Site, July 12. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Spc. Devon Bistarkey/ Released)
Story and photos by U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Devon Bistarkey
BETHANY BEACH, Del. – Six Delaware National Guard Soldiers graduated from Officer Candidate School during a ceremony at Bethany Beach Training site, July 12. After completing the yearlong course, candidates of Class 57 earned the rank of second lieutenant and accepted their commissions in front of family, friends and distinguished guests.
The OCS class included a mix of initial entry candidates and senior enlisted Soldiers with a rage military knowledge and backgrounds from chemical specialties to finance.
The task of transforming these candidates, despite their varied backgrounds, into capable leaders is the responsibility of the skilled trainers of the 193rd Regional Training Institute.
Senior platoon trainer, U.S. Army National Guard Cpt. Bradley Pierce with the 193rd RTI OCS Company recalls one of the first training experiences with class 57; the one graduates try to forget most.
“On the first day in an open parade field the OCs are bombarded with screaming platoon trainers and intense corrective training,” said Pierce.
Affectionately called the “TAC-attack”, a referral to the previous name of TAC (Teach Assess Counsel) officers for platoon trainers, the “TAC-attack” is the initial event that introduces candidates to the level of stress they can expect to experience during the course.
This event is just one of the many milestones the candidates must overcome during training. Others include water survival, ruck marches, and procedures in operation orders.
While it may not have been fun at the time, candidates recognize the importance of their training experiences.
“The training stressed the importance of teamwork and communication,” said newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Corissa Dodson.
2nd Lt. Tywan Brooks, Officer Candidate School Class of 57 graduate, receives his first salute during a ceremony at Bethany Beach Training Site, July 12. (U.S Army National Guard photo by Spc. Devon Bistarkey/ Released)
In the end, all the training and mentoring appeared to be a success. Despite their diverse backgrounds, the OCS class of 57 was transformed by guidance from skilled platoon trainers into a unified group of new leaders, who upon graduation, raised their right hand to take the oath of office and receive their first hard earned salute, pledging to abide by their class phrase, “leadership is a lifestyle.”
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