Officer candidates reach halfway point in traditional program
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1477″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1500402282618{border-bottom-width: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1500401302045{margin: 0px !important;border-width: 0px !important;padding: 0px !important;}”]By Officer Candidate Jessica Donnelly[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]Maryland, West Virginia and District of Columbia officer candidates completed another inactive duty training weekend Feb. 4-6, 2011, at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation, Md. reaching the halfway mark in the Maryland Officer Candidate School traditional program.
The IDT concentrated on two new areas of study for the candidates, Military Intelligence and Platoon Operation Orders, each concluding with an exam that all candidates passed on the first try. While operation orders are something that the candidates will face on a regular basis after commissioning, concerns dealing with military intelligence will also play a role in their careers. With social networking sites making it easier to share information, ensuring that operational security is upheld will always be a priority.
Candidate Rodney Martin, incoming platoon leader, briefs his operations order for training.
“As U.S. Army Officers, it’s our job to combat these OPSEC issues,” said 1st Lt. Ravneet Puri, Maryland instructor.
Outside of the classroom, candidates had other obstacles during the IDT weekend. Learning to make the transition from being away from OCS for 27 days a month to coming together as a team for three days at CFMR has proved to be a challenge for the officer candidates. From making 24 beds up to standard to making time hacks, the candidates face a constant struggle to improve from prior months. While they may not be there yet, the officer candidates continue to move forward.
“This drill was a step in the right direction,” said Officer Candidate William Hood, February platoon leader. “The assigned leadership put in a lot of hours in order to take that step. Definitely not perfect, but the learning curve is going up exponentially at this point. The biggest change I saw was the continuous motivation from all the candidates. There was never a lull and that is how it needs to be done every time.”
The IDT weekend marked another significant point for the officer candidates with a briefing about branch options available in the Maryland National Guard. The candidates must begin thinking about what career field they will enter after receiving their commissions and start to make contact with future commanders. While looking ahead to what comes after OCS, candidates must not only consider what career field they will be in, but also what kind of leader they will be.
1st Lt. Ravneet Puri teaches candidates about military intelligence and the importance of operational security.
“As a leader, will you able to make your subordinates feel… like they matter, like they’re essential,” asked Capt. Christopher Kinney, West Virginia Teach Assess and Counsel officer. “I challenge you to be able to do this. It’ll make you more effective as a leader. If they feel that way, they’re going to work harder for themselves and work harder for you.”
With seven months left in the program, candidates must continue to look forward and plan ahead for upcoming IDTs, beginning with the 7-mile timed ruck-march during March’s training period. Officer Candidates must continue to prepare their bodies for the march during the month of February and return to CFMR ready to train.
“OC Martin will set us up for success and we will continue to be better. We will have struggles, but the most important thing we are learning is how to overcome obstacles quickly and continue on with the mission,” said Hood. “The only time a plan is perfect is when it is on paper. How we overcome each obstacle will define who we are and what this class is made of.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]