Air National Guard graduates first class from Maxwell's Officer Training School

  • Published
  • By Carl Bergquist
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) --  The first Air National Guard class of officer cadets to graduate from the Academy of Military Sciences at Maxwell Air Force Base received their golden bars Nov. 13.

The 119 Guard officer cadets were the first to graduate from the school since the training was moved in October from the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn., to the newly formed Det. 12 at the Maxwell AFB Officer Training School.

The training was consolidated due to the direction of the Air Force today, said Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the ANG director, who spoke at the ceremony.

"The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are more operational," he said.

During his speech at the graduation, Officer Cadet Brian Wall, the O-2010-1 class leader, said it was an honor to represent his class.

"It is a monumental occasion to be the first class to graduate, and the last six weeks have prepared us to be leaders in the Air Force," he said.

Cadet Wall said while all the graduates present were being commissioned as new second lieutenants, Monday morning they would be like everyone else, because they are the teachers, office employees, merchants and other members of society.

"We are everyday citizens, but the difference is we are also citizen Airmen," he said. "The men and women before you today have chosen to be leaders, and we have learned that we are the future leaders of the Air Force."

Col. Laura Koch, the OTS commandant, congratulated the cadets and said it was her privilege to serve with each and every one of them.

"When you take the oath of office defined by law, you assume an office of trust and honor," she said. "That oath bonds individuals and institutions. You are taking the office of second lieutenant, hence the term officer."

The Air National Guard director administered the oath of office. Then, the general told the new lieutenants they had taken the steps to become officers and had also taken the challenge he proposed to them six weeks earlier.

"Your success in this program marks you as having accomplished something very significant," said Lt. Col. Robert Daniels, the Det. 12 AMS commander. You are the first class to graduate, but more importantly, you are lieutenants in the Air Force. You must exemplify the core values of the Air Force and lead with conviction and courage. I believe you will do that, and you are cleared hot for your new careers.

"Lieutenants, God bless you and finally, take charge," he said.

Brig. Gen. Teresa Djuric, the Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development commander, said she was pleased with the performance of the first AMS class and felt that a lot of people worked very hard to make the class successful.

"Everyone supports what happened today. Good people take a deep breath and make sure things happen the way they should," she said.

Colonel Koch also credited the staff at McGhee Tyson ANGB with the class' success.

"The staff from McGhee Tyson did a great job in settling in at Maxwell, preparing the course and conducting the first class," she said.

Colonel Daniels said a few things didn't go quite the way he and the staff wanted them to go, but this in itself provided value to the first AMS class.

"A lot of times it's not about adversity, but how you respond to adversity that makes the difference," he said. "The staff did really well, and I think a lot was gained by being co-located here at Maxwell with Commissioned Officer Training and Basic Officer Training. That provided the opportunity for all the students to learn together."

The colonel said 50 states and two territories were represented in this first graduating class. The next AMS class will begin Jan. 11.