VNG celebrates 18 new OCS graduates

FORT PICKETT, Va.   –   The Virginia Army National Guard welcomed 18 officer candidates from Officer Candidate School classes 64, 65A and 65B during a ceremony held Sept. 18, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.
 
“OCS may have been a mental and physical challenge for you and it certainly won’t be the last," said retired Col. Fred Bolton the guest speaker at the OCS graduation. "Remember you did the hard work and were successful and proven that you can do anything.”
 
Bolton told the candidates that, “work, perseverance and cheer,” will them to create the opportunities they need in order to succeed.
 
“First, remember to be humble [and] accept praise,” he said. “Recognize the people that helped you, especially your family. Second, always ask your supervisor ‘Is there anything you need?’ Be a self-starter and active in seeking tasks. Finally, remember to have fun and find joy in the little things. Engage in those social activities. Take the opportunity to celebrate, life is too short not to laugh and have fun whenever you can.”
 
Lt. Col. Eric L. Quinn, commander of 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training administered the oath of office to the candidates and several candidates were recognized for their outstanding performance during the course. 
 
Officer Candidate Cameron A. Mosely, the distinguished honor graduate of Class 64, received the Erickson Trophy and the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement.
 
Officer Candidate Darius K. Portillo received the Col. James Moore III Award for most improved leadership throughout the program and was awarded the Class 64 guidon. Portillo also received the Commandant’s Award for academic excellence.
 
Officer Tyler S. Grabham received the Capt. Harry Q. Rose Leadership Excellence Award for his distinguished leadership throughout the program and the highest average in leadership evaluations.
 
Capt. Zachary Barnett, an OCS staff member, received the Maj. Tom Bell Award for having the most significant impact on the graduating class as voted on by the officer candidates and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement while serving as a senior platoon trainer for OCS Class 64.
 
The Troutville-based 29th Division Band concluded the ceremony with the Army Song.

The graduating class of the Virginia National Guard's Officer Candidate School Class 64 is as follows:

• 2nd Lt. Cameron A. Mosely, from Forest, Virginia, branched into the medical service corps and will be assigned to the Danville-based 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Darius K. Portillo, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, branched cyber and will be assigned to the Fairfax based-144th Cyber Warfare Company, 91st Cyber Brigade.
• 2nd Lt. Tyler S. Grabham, from Amelia Court House, Virginia, branched chemical and will be assigned to the Rocky Mount-based 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group.
• 2nd Lt. Ioannis E. Amos, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, branched signal and will be assigned to the Fredericksburg-based Charlie Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Tristian C. Crockett, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, branched field artillery and will be assigned to the Hampton-based Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Rushard B. Graham, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, branched ordnance and will be assigned to the Fredericksburg-based Echo Company, 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Joshua T. Ropka, from Lynchburg, Virginia, branched aviation and will be assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment.
• 2nd Lt. Dustin K. Schwandt, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, branched transportation and will be assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group.

The graduating class of the Virginia National Guard's Officer Candidate School Class 65A is as follows:

• 2nd Lt. Thomas Y. Lee, from Pittsford, New York, and now residing in Norfolk, Virginia, branched military intelligence and is assigned to the Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Jacob P. McCusker, from Sterling, Virginia, branched into the signal corps and is assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Christopher S. Meeks, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, branched infantry and is assigned to the Virginia Beach-based Charlie Troop, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. AnnaMaria K. Neitte, from Antioch, California, branched infantry and is assigned to the Woodstock-based Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Brian O. Reed, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, branched engineer and is assigned to the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Collin B. Sabine, from Richmond, Virginia, branched military intelligence and is assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment.
• 2nd Lt. Samantha R. Simmons is from Chantilly, Virginia and currently resides in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She branched engineer and is assigned to the Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group.

The graduating class of the Virginia National Guard's Officer Candidate School Class 65B is as follows:

•  2nd Lt. Aaron J. Edgerton, from Richmond, Virginia and currently resides in Clayton, North Carolina, deferred his commission.
• 2nd Lt. Phillip S. Burgstahler, from Woodbridge, Virginia, branched cyber and will be assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Vanessa L. Connolly, from Manassas, Virginia, branched military intelligence and will be assigned to the Manassas-based Delta Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.