OCS Class 58 commissions 26 lieutenants

The Virginia Army National Guard welcomes 26 new lieutenants to its ranks with the commissioning of Officer Candidate School Class 58 Aug. 27, 2016, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The ceremony marked the end of an almost two-year journey for the candidates as they took their oaths of office, received their OCS diplomas and their second lieutenant bars and delivered their first salute as new officers. The program is broken down into four phases and run by the officers and noncommissioned officers of 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute.

The process of becoming officers began with Phase Zero, comprised primarily of physical and mental challenges and designed to ensure the quality and caliber of the candidates who continue on in the program. Phase I consisted of a two-week training period replete with challenges designed to test the candidates in a variety of ways. Phase II included a year of monthly drill periods that included classroom time as well as time spent outside of drill weekends working on class and community projects. Phase III, the final phase of OCS, consisted of a final two-week training period that acted as a final test of the officer candidate’s leadership abilities and tested the knowledge they had gained over the previous months.

Col. William L. Zana, commander of the 91st Troop Command, was the graduation speaker Virginia Army National Guard.

Second Lt. Kristen R. Healy received the Harry Q. Rose Award, an award presented by the Virginia National Guard Association that recognizes the candidate who has distinguished themselves in leadership throughout the duration of the program. The award is named for Capt. Harry Q. Rose, the only Virginia Army National Guard OCS graduate to have given his life in the service of his country.

Second Lt. Doubacoro B. Ballo received he Physical Fitness Award and an Army Achievement Medal for attaining the highest physical fitness score of 300 out of a possible 300 points.

Second Lt. Troy K. Sookdeo received the Commandant’s Award for Academic Achievement for earning highest academic average with an average score of 92 percent.

Second Lt. Matthew R. Rolfes received the Leadership Excellence Award for earning the highest overall leadership ratings during all three stages of the course. Throughout OCS, each officer candidate serves in different leadership roles and are then rated by their platoon trainers in extensive leadership evaluation reports.

Second Lt. Claire A. Madden received the Col. James B. Moore III Award, named for the first commandant of the Virginia Officer Candidate School. The award is presented to the candidate who has considered to have made the most progress throughout the duration of the course.

Second Lt. Matthew R. Rolfes received the Erickson Trophy as the distinguished honor graduate who stood out in all areas of the OCS environment. His name will be engraved on a plaque in the OCS Classroom so future officer candidates can see their name.

Sgt. 1st Class Paul Bouwhuizen received the Maj. William T. “Tom” Bell Commandant Award for Leadership Excellence. It is presented to a cadre member who the candidates determined to have had a significant impact on their growth and development as future leaders.

Capt. Lisa Sanchez, senior platoon trainer, administered the oath.

The Clifton Forge-based 29th Division Band provided ceremonial music for the event.