50 years of excellence for officers in Louisiana National Guard

PINEVILLE, La. -- For retired Maj. Gen. Joe Gary, the sight of officers from the first class to graduate from the Louisiana National Guard's officer candidate school, after 50 years was memorable, Aug. 27.

"It makes your heart jump. You can't measure that," he said.

In a weekend-long celebration, the old and new officers from the last half a century gathered at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, La., to reunite with previous classes and celebrate the graduation of 38 new officers on Saturday.

Festivities began Friday with a bar-be-que in which 11 of the 20 officers from the first class attended. More than 1600 officers have graduated from the course since it first began.


Officer candidates may either attend the traditional officer candidate school one weekend a month and two annual training sessions over 18 months or attend the accelerated course. Here, Guardsmen complete the training active-duty over three months. Classes 50 and 51A celebrated their graduation together with family and friends at Tioga High School, in Tioga, La.

The Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard, Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau told the new officers they have remarkable opportunities to look forward to.

"You are embarking on a tremendous career," he told them. "You face a path full of exciting possibilities ... you have the drive, you have the training, you have the heart and the leadership to step across the line and make a lasting impact on every Soldier you have the opportunity to lead."

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• OCS
• REUNION
• AUG2010

[kcolapop]

Oh My!