Illinois Army National Guard Commissions 15 New Officers

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Story by Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

– Fifteen Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers were commissioned as second lieutenants during the winter accelerated Officer Candidate School (OCS) graduation ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy March 25 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

"This is the largest accelerated class we've graduated in years," said Maj. Benjamin Shakman of Springfield, with the 129th Regional Training Institute at Camp Lincoln. "They were selected to attend the accelerated program not just based on their ability to complete the demanding 57-day course, but more importantly because of their demonstrated ability to enter our formations and begin serving as platoon leaders in a very short time."

Brig. Gen. Johnny R. Miller, deputy commander of the Illinois Army National Guard was the guest speaker and emphasized showing care for the Soldiers.

"You are the standard and the leader," said Miller. "Don't ever forget the fundamentals because they will serve you the rest of your career."

Commissioning requires more than 500 hours of classroom and field instruction over a two-month period. Candidates are evaluated on leadership abilities along with academics. Candidates must also successfully complete many physical and mental tasks, such as road marches, tactical exercises and counseling sessions from their training cadre.

Second Lt. Danny Mullane of Chicago, graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor's degree in human services and has spent 20 years in the field of social services. She entered the Illinois Army National Guard in January 2011 and is joining the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park.

"I think entering later in life was an advantage," said Mullane. "Having the life experiences, I could see the big picture and focus on my goal."

Each new lieutenant's gold bars were pinned on by family members, friends and fellow Soldiers. Following the pinning, the officer received his or her first salute from a subordinate of his or her choosing.

Second Lt. Joshua Meyer of Springfield joined the Illinois Army National Guard during his last semester of graduate school at Western Illinois University. He was pinned by his two brothers who are both serving in the Illinois Army National Guard and received his first salute from his sister, formerly a specialist in the Illinois Army Guard.

"I was motivated to join the Army and enroll in OCS based on my family roots in the Army," said Meyer. "The positive experiences they have had during their careers were inspiring."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, 2,160 officers will have commissioned from the 129th. The OCS program is on track to commission more than 50 new lieutenants this year.

The 15 newly commissioned officers are:

• 2nd Lt. Charles Auer of Peoria, with the 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria

• 2nd Lt. Dale Boughton of Sycamore, with Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery in Sycamore

• 2nd Lt. James Brock of Shorewood, with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery in Chicago

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Carlson of Chicago, with Company B, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment in Elgin

• 2nd Lt. Brian Fox of Hanover Park, with Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Galesburg

• 2nd Lt. Jorge Franch of Naperville, with the 1744th Transportation Company in Robbins

• 2nd Lt. Jason Hitch of Normal, with the Forward Support Company, 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur

• 2nd Lt. Nathaniel Jungheim of Chicago, with the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside

• 2nd Lt. Joshua Mang of Hoffman Estates, with Company B, 405th Brigade Support Battalion in Crestwood

• 2nd Lt. Matthew Mechenes of Willowbrook, with the 433rd Signal Company in Robbins

• 2nd Lt. Joshua Meyer of Springfield, with the 444th Chemical Company in Galesburg

• 2nd Lt. Danny Mullane of Chicago, with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park

• 2nd Lt. Aaron Reiterman of Springfield, with the 3637th Maintenance Company in Springfield

• 2nd Lt. Phillip Sanders of Clinton, with the 445th Chemical Company in Shiloh

• 2nd Lt. Michael Siudut of Hoffman Estates, with the 1744th Transportation Company in Crestwood

Photo captions:

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Shemika Phillips pins second lieutenant rank on her girlfriend 2nd Lt. Danny Mullane of Chicago, with the 135th Chemical Company in Machesney Park during the winter accelerated Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy March 25 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ (Left to right) Sgt. John Meyer of Springfield, with Joint Force Headquarters in Springfield pins his brother, 2nd Lt. Joshua Meyer of Springfield, with the 44th Chemical Battalion in Macomb, along with his brother Spc. Michael Meyer of Springfield, with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Litchfield during the winter accelerated Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy March 25 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Brig. Gen. Johnny R. Miller, the Illinois Army National Guard assistant adjutant general administers the Oath of Office during the winter accelerated Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy March 25 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

For high resolution photos, please contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office at ngilstaffpao@ng.army.mil

Posted Monday March 26, 2012 at 03:08 pm by Illinois National Guard
Last Updated Monday March 26, 2012 at 03:21 pm