Photo By John Crosby | Newly commissioned Indiana National Guard 2nd Lt. Brian Weitzeil is pinned with his...... read more read more
INDIANAPOLIS – Newly commissioned Indiana National Guard officers and their families converged on the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis Sunday, Aug. 14 to ceremoniously recognize these new editions to a time-honored Army tradition in leadership.
Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Urban Training Center Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Clif Tooley welcomed the 16 state Officer Candidate School graduates and eight National Guard Bureau accelerated OCS graduates to the realm of the commissioned officer, and offered some advice.
“The key piece of advice that I can give to you is what I call the singular rule of leadership; you lead by the power of your example,” said Tooley. “You will always be an example, never forget that. People will watch you. They will watch you more than they will listen to you. You as a leader will be held to a higher standard. Accept it, understand it. It comes with the commission, it comes with the position.”
Each graduate endured the three-phase course, including the ten examinations and approximately 530 academic hours testing their moral, mental, physical and academic ability.
“We’re excited to get into it, we’re excited to be able to serve the state and our country,” said newly graduated 2nd Lt. Brian Weitzeil with his wife by his side. Weitzeil was formerly an enlisted soldier as a public affairs specialist in the 120th Public Affairs Detachment, 81st Troop Command headquartered in Indianapolis. “I’m excited to be able to affect soldiers around me to make a change, hopefully for the better.”
Weitzeil earned the Erickson Trophy as distinguished honor graduate of his class. His name will be inscribed with other recipients of this prestigious award at the National Guard Association of the United States in Washington.
“You are all now entering the realm of the commissioned officer,” said Maj. Todd Baker, who was the master of ceremonies. “How fitting that this transformation should take place here, at the Indiana War Memorial, the same place that many great officer careers have gotten their humble beginnings. Your charge is to become a leader of soldiers. As you leave here today, understand that the challenges you will face will be great and the expectations placed on you will be even greater. Your journey begins today. Good luck.”
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.15.2011 11:49 |
| Story ID: | 75377 |
| Location: | INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 467 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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