Page 15 - The Dispatch Febuary 2017

TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT

During the program, each candidate learned to dig deeper, “Our individual struggles gave us strength as a group as we
communicate better, work as a team and most important- pushed each other and supported each other in a way that
ly lead by example. I have never known. We have grown together as a team
but also as individuals,” said 2nd Lt. Edward Webster, 2nd
“When reflecting on my Officer Candidate School ex- Battalion, 4th Regiment.
perience, I think of three words: honored, grateful and
humbled,” said Ensign Curt Swayne, 3rd Battalion, Texas At the graduation ceremony, 2nd Lt. Gregory Gosdin, 1st
Maritime Regiment and Colonel Thomas C. Hamilton Dis- Battalion, 2nd Regiment, received the Physical Fitness
tinguished Honor Graduate. “I am honored to have been Award, while 2nd Lt. Matthew Bramanti, 1st Battalion, 8th
given the opportunity to be a part of this transformative Regiment, received the Academic Excellence Award and
program and a member of a class with such talented, driv- 2nd Lt. John Simmons, 2nd Battalion, 19th Regiment, re-
en and capable people.” ceived the Leadership Excellence Award.

Before reaching the finish line, each candidate had to en- The new officers see OCS as one of the most rewarding
dure one final test a 24-hour exercise held at Camp Maxey, and challenging experiences of their lives.
in Paris, Texas, Dec. 10, 2016. There, through a practical
and real-world scenario, each candidate demonstrated “I learned a lot about myself as a leader and as a person.
their ability to master environmental situational aware- My goal is to utilize the training and personal development
ness, decision-making processes, mission-planning skills, acquired through OCS to make a difference in the Texas
search and rescue capabilities and leadership skills. Can- State Guard,” said 2nd Lt. (MC) Cyla Huber, Headquarters,
didates proved to be proficient in first aid, land naviga- Texas Maritime Regiment. “Each one of us exemplifies our
tion, radio communications, physical fitness, endurance, class motto, Dutcus Exemplo, Leadership by Example.”
problem solving and academic knowledge. During the ex-
ercise, candidates encountered water-filled creeks, heavy The Texas State Guard depends on its officers to be strong
rain, cold weather, night operations and navigated miles of leaders, maintain a commitment to excellence, make crit-
unmarked terrain. ical decisions and lead missions to assist fellow Texans
during an emergency or disaster anywhere in Texas. -D

NEW STATE GUARD OCS GRADS PLAN TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE

(Above) Texas State Guard officer candidates demonstrate their ability to command, work as a team and react to a di-
verse set of planned leadership exercises, during a final field training and evaluation exercise at Camp Maxey, in Paris,
Texas, Dec. 7-10, 2016. (Texas State Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Click)

(PAGE 14) Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School graduated 10 new officers during a
graduation ceremony at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas, Jan. 14, 2017. The graduates are Ensign Vance Penn, Ensign Curt
Swayne, 2nd Lt. Cyla Huber, 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Skym, 2nd Lt. David Arnold, 2nd Lt. Gregory Gosdin, 2nd Lt. Matthew Bra-
manti, 2nd Lt. Craig Mathison, 2nd Lt. John Simmons and 2nd Lt. Edward Webster.
(Texas State Guard photos by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Janet Schmelzer)

www.tmd.texas.gov 15