July 2001    Officer Candidate School Graduation 2001 By Capt. Len Gratteri, State Public Affairs Officer In July, Officer Candidate School Class 44 graduated in a ceremony held at the Bethany Beach Training Site. Nathan Branosky, Michael Crilley, Alexander Letthand and Heriberto Valle all successfully completed the grueling 15-month course and either accepted or will accept commissions. 2nd Lt. Michael Crilley earned the Academic Award and was also named the Distinguished Graduate. As Distinguished Graduate, he received the Army Commendation Medal and a set of Dress Blues. Sgt. Alexander Letthand received the Association of the U.S. Army Leadership Award. 2nd Lt. Heriberto Valle earned the Physical Training Award and the TAC Award for being the most improved candidate.

July 2001 Feature articles & information OCS 2002: Can you meet the challenge? More info on upcoming OCS classes Army ribbons placement guide Desert Storm +10 Archives DNG News January 2001 DNG News February 2001 DNG News March 2001 DNG News April 2001 DNG News May 2001 DNG News June 2001 DNG Archive - 2000

Candidates from Class 44 work together with other OCS candidates during various training exercises during their final phase of the program at Fort Benning, Georgia. (Photo courtesy Fort Benning Public Affairs Office) Candidates participate in a group After Action Report (AAR) during their final phase of the program at Fort Benning, Georgia. (Photo courtesy Fort Benning Public Affairs Office) Class 44 graduates standing tall at graduation. From left to right – Nathan Branosky, Michael Crilley, Alexander Letthand and Heriberto Valle. (Photo by Capt. Len Gratteri, State Public Affairs Officer) Assistant Adjutant General, Army, Brig. Gen. Ronald Stewart administers the oath and swears in the three graduates who accepted their commissions. (Photo by Capt. Len Gratteri, State Public Affairs Officer) The following photos: by Capt. Len Gratteri, State Public Affairs Officer 2nd Lt. Michael Crilley  2nd Lt. Michael Crilley earned the Academic Award and here is honored as Distinguished Graduate for Class 44. On the left is Delaware National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala and in the center is Lt. Col. Ruth Irwin, Commander of the 193rd Regional Training Institute. 2nd Lt. Michael Crilley receives his first salute from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael O’Brien of the 72nd Troop Command. According to tradition, Crilley then gave O’Brien a silver dollar to commemorate the first salute. 2nd Lt. Michael Crilley earned the Academic Award and here is honored as Distinguished Graduate for Class 44. On the left is Delaware National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala. Sgt. Alexander Letthand Candidate Alexander Letthand (right) accepts the AUSA Leadership award from Delaware National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala. Candidates Alexander Letthand (left) and Heriberto Valle pose for a photo while attending their final phase of the program at Fort Benning, Georgia. (Photo courtesy Fort Benning Public Affairs Office) 2nd Lt. Heriberto Valle 2nd Lt. Heriberto Valle’s wife assists OCS Instructor, Sgt. 1st Class Arnold O’Sullivan in the traditional pinning of the gold bars. TAC Officer, Capt. Garland Pennington (left), presents 2nd Lt. Heriberto Valle the TAC Officer Award for being named the class’s Most Improved Candidate.   2nd Lt. Nathan Branosky Lt. Col. Jay Hooper congratulates 2nd Lt. Nathan Branosky during the graduation ceremony. 2nd Lt. Nathan Branosky has his new rank pinned on by his father and finacee’.