VNG celebrates graduates of OCS Class 67, 68A, 68B

Nine officer candidates graduated from the Virginia National Guard’s Officer Candidate School Sept. 14, 2025, in a ceremony at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The event brought together friends, family and leaders at the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute to celebrate the accomplishments of both OCS Class 67 and 68B, and also marked the graduation of Class 68A, who completed their OCS experience earlier this year. Throughout the ceremony, the 29th Infantry Division Band provided musical accompaniment.

Lt. Col. Cari Kelso, the battalion commander of the 183rd RTI’s 3rd Battalion, which includes the VNG’s OCS, provided opening remarks for the ceremony, and told the officer candidates that “rank is not a reward,” and that their decisions as leaders will have immense impact on the lives of the Soldiers they lead and the outcome of their missions. 

“Lead with integrity, listen with empathy and never forget that your example will echo louder than your orders,” Kelso said. “Go forward with confidence, humility, and the courage to lead.” 

Retired Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher served as the guest speaker for the event. He told the candidates that, on the evening before he was commissioned, his father, retired 1st Sgt. Kirby Gallagher, provided him with three pieces of advice, which he then shared with the candidates. 

“Communicate down as readily as up,” he said, explaining that today’s Soldiers are “the most intellectually adept and most socially aware cohort of volunteers we’ve ever had in our formation.” He encouraged the candidates to share as much information with their Soldiers as possible, and told them that doing so would help establish trust. 

“Thing two is, no matter where you find yourself, identify a competent NCO and listen to what they have to say,” Gallagher continued. He told the candidates that even if they served as noncommissioned officers previously, they’re “not in that club anymore,” and that they can and should ask for advice and coaching from their NCOs. 

Finally, Gallagher told the candidates to remember that “every Soldier is someone’s child.” He said the lives of those Soldiers are literally in the hands of their young leaders. He encouraged the young leaders to appreciate that, and to respect the patriotism of not just the Soldiers they serve with, but their family and loved ones as well. 

Following Gallagher’s remarks, Kelso administered the oath of office. After that, several candidates were recognized for their success during their OCS experience. Officer Candidate Jonathan Brooks was presented the Erickson Trophy as the distinguished honor graduate of Class 67, as well as the Commandant’s Award for Academic Excellence for achieving the highest academic average. Officer Candidate Seth Fillers received both the Harry Q. Rose Leadership Excellence Award, presented to the candidate with the highest leadership evaluation average, as well as the Physical Readiness Award, presented for achieving the highest average physical fitness scores. Officer Candidate Paul Conteh received the Col. James Moore Most Improved Award, presented to the candidate who demonstrated the most improvement over their OCS experience. 

Following the presentation of the awards, the candidates were called to the stage one by one. There, they received their graduation certificates, were pinned with gold second lieutenant bars by family members and friends, and received their first salute from an enlisted military member, their first act as newly commissioned officers. 

The graduating class of the Virginia National Guard's Officer Candidate School Class 67 is as follows:

• 2nd Lt. Robert Barry, a Richmond-area resident, branched transportation and will serve in the Virginia Beach-based 1173rd Transportation Company, 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group.
• 2nd Lt. Jonathan Brooks, a Richmond-area resident, branched chemical and will serve in the Rocky Mount-based 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group.
• 2nd Lt. Craig Close, a Fredericksburg-area resident, branched field artillery and will serve in the Norfolk-based 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• 2nd Lt. Paul Conteh, an Ashburn resident, branched cyber and will serve in the Fairfax-based 133rd Cyber Security Company, 123rd Cyber Protection Battalion, 91st Cyber Brigade. 
• 2nd Lt. Christopher Duncan, a resident of the Virginia Beach area, branched signal and will serve in the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Battalion, 29th Infantry Division. 
• 2nd Lt. Seth Fillers, a Maryland resident, branched engineer and will serve in the Cedar Bluff-based 1033rd Engineer Company, 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group. 

The graduating class of the Virginia National Guard's Officer Candidate School Class 68A is as follows:

• 2nd Lt. Sal Myint branched infantry and will serve in the Woodstock-based Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. 
• 2nd Lt. Samantha Lazarescu branched field artillery and will serve in the Hanover-based Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The graduating class of the Virginia National Guard's Officer Candidate School Class 68B is as follows:

• 2nd Lt. Alexander De Avila, a resident of Newport News, branched infantry and will serve in the Leesburg-based Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment.
• 2nd Lt. Elizabeth White, an Arlington resident, branched engineer and will serve in the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
• Sgt. 1st Class Austin Strutz, a Yorktown resident, has deferred his commission and plans to branch aviation. Currently, he serves in the Virginia Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion.