AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas State Guard (TXSG) commissioned seven new junior officers from Officer Candidate School (OCS) Class 14 on 17 January 2015. 

The five-month course, condensed from the original eight-month course, began in September 2014. Throughout the course, candidates completed eighteen graded exams, three Army Physical Fitness Tests, the Air Assault Confidence Course at Camp Swift, and the Leadership Reaction Course at Camp Bullis. The candidates also completed the requirements for the TXSG Professional Military Education (PME) Officer Basic Course, in addition to an estimated 350 hours of off-duty time devoted to OCS preparation and study. 

ENS Walker, the Officer Candidate Platoon Leader during the final month of the course stated, “I had to search deep within myself and continuously push to achieve my goal of becoming an officer.” 

Balancing the rigors of OCS, civilian employment, families, and personal responsibilities creates additional substantial stress for the candidates. The graduation ceremony for Class 14 was equally important to those who supported the candidates during their OCS experience. 

MG Jake Betty, TXSG Commanding General, addressed the graduates during the ceremony and stated, “As you start your career as an officer in the State Guard I encourage you to draw on your past experiences, have high morals, maintain your personal appearance, be fair, be consistent, have the courage to do the right thing, set and maintain high standards, and continue to develop as a leader.” 
 
Several graduates received recognition for their achievements during the course:

2nd Lt. Samuel Sexton from the Air Component Headquarters received the Colonel Thomas C. Hamilton Distinguished Honor Graduate Award. 2nd Lt. Sexton is the first recipient of the award presented in COL Hamilton’s name.

ENS Richard Bruner of 3rd Battalion (Lima Co) earned the Academic Excellence Award.

2LT Roy Lopez from 1st Regiment (1st BN) ¬¬was awarded the Leadership Excellence Award.

2nd Lt. Stevie McCoy from the 4th AW (482nd ASG) received the Physical Fitness Award.

The additional graduates were 2LT Michael Ross of the 19th Regiment (2nd BN), ENS Scott Runnels from 1st Battalion (Delta Co), and ENS Timothy Walker from 3rd Battalion (Lima Co). 

The TXSG OCS program is designed to develop junior officers for the unique mission of the TXSG. The OCS curriculum includes the instruction, exercises, and experiences needed to develop officer candidates into successful leaders. The next class is scheduled to begin in March 2015. TXSG personnel interested in applying should contact their unit personnel officer for future application information.