Class 55-13 "Born to Fight, trained to lead"
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Col. William A. Denny, commander of the 238th Regimental Training Institute, swears in 17 Kentucky National Guardsmen as second lieutenants during a commissioning ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 24, 2013. Friends, family members and fellow Soldiers gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to honor the newest officers in the Kentucky Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky National Guard leadership joined friends and families as the 17 graduates of Officer Candidate School Class 55-13 were promoted to the rank of second lieutenant on the steps of the state capitol building on the morning of August 24.
In his address to the graduating class Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, Kentucky's Adjutant General said, "At some point these young people will be the leader, the one in charge, with troops under their direction and a mission to complete. They'll have to balance home life, families, employment, education and other military obligations. It won’t be easy, but it will be a life worth living."
To see more photos from the ceremony, click here.
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2nd Lt.George Jackson recieves his Officer Candidate School certificate of completion from Kentucky's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini during a commissioning ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 24, 2013. Jackson was one of 17 Guardsmen promoted and will begin his officer career with 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
After receiving their diplomas graduates were pinned by family members and loved ones, and then saluted by someone who has been an influence in their life.
The Kentucky National Guard OCS is run by the 238th Regimental Training Institute located at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Muhlenberg County.
Click here to read more about the 238th RTI!
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2nd Lt. Christopher Englen is pinned by his mother, Christina and father, Chief Warrant Officer Douglas Englen during a commissioning ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 24, 2013. Englin will begin his career as an officer with the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Graduates included: 2nd Lt. Monica Bryan, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery; 2nd Lt. Michael Buelow, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery; 2nd Lt. Christopher Carrington, 103rd Brigade Support Battalion; 2nd Lt. Christopher Englen, 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation; 2nd Lt. Samuel Fugal, 201st Engineer Battalion; 2nd Lt. Aaron Hart, 299th Chemical; 2nd Lt. James Hatch, 299th Chemical; 2nd Lt. George Jackson, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery; 2nd Lt. Troy Lowery, 203rd Forward Support Company; 2nd Lt. Aaron McKannan, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry; 2nd Lt. Matthew Murphy, 2nd Battalion 138th Fires Brigade; 2nd Lt. Jonathan Olea, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade; 2nd Lt Michael Reinersman, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade; 2nd Lt. David Scalf, 201st Engineer Battalion; 2nd Lt. David Shanklin II, 201st AGR; 2nd Lt. Daniel Sunderlin, 1st. Battalion 149th Infantry; and 2nd Lt. Brandon Witt, 1st Battalion 149th Infantry.
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Newly promoted officers of Officer Candidate School Class 55-13 gather for their group photo following their commissioning ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 24, 2013. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)