Newest OCS Graduates Join Officer Ranks

Thirteen Georgia Army Guard enlisted Soldiers recently joined the organization’s officer ranks.

Members of Officer Candidate classes 45 and 46 stood proud and tall before a large, exuberant crowd of family, friends and fellow Guardsmen during ceremonies at Atlanta’s Grand Hyatt hotel.

“You have worked hard for this moment, for this day,” Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia’s Adjutant General, told the graduates. “You have certainly earned the right to feel proud of who you are and what you have accomplished.

“But remember this…all the people, all the time, will be watching you. They see what you do, they learn from it and they judge you by it, right or wrong,” he added. “Set the example, always, and never, ever, forget that you are officers of the United States military.”

Poythress then relinquished the floor to the 13 graduates who moved from their seats to the stage to receive their diplomas, officer’s handbook and congratulations from seniors such as Lt. Col. Randall Carter, RTI’s regimental commander; Lt. Col. Gary Sobel, the institute’s general studies commander; and Maj. Bob Shelton, Officer Candidate Company commander.

Facing the audience, raising their right hands and speaking in unison, the group was sworn-in by Col. Maria Britt, Georgia Army Guard chief-of-staff. Then one by one, the former candidates traversed to center stage to receive their hard-earned second lieutenants bars from proud, smiling family members.

Second Lt. Michael Thompson, his rank pinned by his father John, mother Mary and five-year-old son Nathaniel, reveled in his new found status as an officer. Yet, he seemed humbled by who has now become. Thompson, who is with Lawrenceville’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, works as self-employed professional photographer.

“There’s nothing I have wanted more in my professional life as this,” he said smiling as he held his son. “I have much to look forward to, and much to offer the Guard as an officer. “It’s my desire to be the best, to learn from the best and pass that dedication and commitment onto those I lead now and in the future.”.