Illinois Army National Guard commissions two officers

SPRINGFIELD, IL (04/20/2015)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 129th Regional Training Institute Officer Candidate School (OCS) commissioned two officers at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln April 19.

Sgt. First Class Timothy Glass of Urbana, Illinois, and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pepeich of Plainfield, Illinois, became second lieutenants after completing more than 650 hours of classroom and field training.

As a noncommissioned officer, Glass was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Urbana, Illinois, where he will remain for his first assignment as an officer. Pepich was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment in Marion, Illinois. His new assignment is with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment o West Frankfurt, Illinois.

Both Soldiers graduated from the accelerated OCS program, a 57-day program where instructors evaluate them on leadership abilities along with academics. They must also complete many physical and mental tasks, such as road marches and tactical exercises.

Cutline 1: Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Land Forces Component Commander, administers the oath of office to Sgt. First Class Timothy Glass of Urbana, Illinois, and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pepeich of Plainfield, Illinois during their commissioning ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois April 19. Glass and Pepich commissioned as second lieutenants after completing the 129th Regional Training Institute's accelerated Officer Candidate School. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: 2nd Lt. Timothy Glass of Urbana, Illinois, stands with Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Land Forces Component Commander and Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, 129th Regional Training Institute Commander, after receiving his commissioning certificate during a ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois April 19. Glass commissioned as a second lieutenant after completing the 129th Regional Training Institute's accelerated Officer Candidate School. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 3: 2nd Lt. Benjamin Pepich of Plainfield, Illinois, stands with Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Land Forces Component Commander and Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, 129th Regional Training Institute Commander, after receiving his commissioning certificate during a ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois April 19. Glass commissioned as a second lieutenant after completing the 129th Regional Training Institute's accelerated Officer Candidate School. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 4: Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, Illinois National Guard Land Forces Component Commander, addresses 2nd Lt. Timothy Glass of Urbana, Illinois, and 2nd Lt. Benjamin Pepich of Plainfield, Illinois, during their commissioning ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois April 19. Glass and Pepich commissioned as second lieutenants after completing the 129th Regional Training Institute's accelerated Officer Candidate School. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 5: Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, 129th Regional Training Institute Commander,addresses 2nd Lt. Timothy Glass of Urbana, Illinois, and 2nd Lt. Benjamin Pepich of Plainfield, Illinois, during their commissioning ceremony at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois April 19. Glass and Pepich commissioned as second lieutenants after completing the 129th Regional Training Institute's accelerated Officer Candidate School. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)