Delaware National Guard - DNG News 2002

Delaware National Guard
Maryland, Delaware OCS combine training
Signal battalion soldiers provide commo expertise
By Maj. Jane Zak, HHD, 198th Signal Battalion

A Maryland TAC (Train, Access and Counsel) Officer conducts an After Action Review with officer candidates from Delaware and Maryland. Photo by Master Sgt. (retired) Frank Bryson.

O.C Dennis Delrosario, MDARNG, checks wires on a DNVT (digital non-secure voice terminal) phone. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak.

Delaware Officer Candidates combined with 22 of their Maryland counterparts to conduct training operations during the September drill weekend. A total of 33 Officer Candidates learned how to use tactical communications and about Force XXI Army Leadership during the classroom portion of their training.

Candidates were familiarized with the SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio Systems) man-pack radios (AN/PRC 119A), and learned Net Control Station (NCS) procedures. With assistance from Sgt. 1st Class Bob Miller and Spc. Kurt Lichtenstein, HHD, 198th Signal Battalion, the Candidates, working in teams of two, practiced procedures for opening, communicating in, and maintaining a radio net.

O.C. Christian Callendar and O.C. Roscoe Harris, both of MDARNG, practice using the SINCGARS radio. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak.

Spc. Kurt Lichtenstein, who assisted in teaching the SINGCARS course, monitors radio communications as candidates enter the net. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak.
Staff Sgt. Catherine Waddler, an Extension Node Switch Supervisor from Company A, 280th Signal Battalion, briefed candidates on the capabilities of the (TTC-48) Small Extension Node (SEN) and explained how phone service is installed using this system. Candidates got hands-on training, identifying their phone lines at the J-1077 (junction box), properly installing the phone wires on a DNVT (digital non-secure voice terminal) phone, and affiliating the phone with the Small Extension Node, so that they could communicate within the secure tactical network.

In addition to their classroom training, Train, Access and Counsel (TAC) Officers and Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) also led physical training. Candidates were required to do numerous push-ups and pull-ups, as well as guerilla drills in the sand on the volleyball court. They also ran between four and five miles on Saturday morning and conducted a four-mile road march on the beach carrying a minimum load of 50-pounds.

Officer Candidate School is a physically and mentally challenging program that offers enlisted soldiers with college credit and potential an opportunity to excel as future leaders.

O.C. Jorge Gonzalez (right) and O.C. Dennis Delrosario practice communicating with the SINCGARS radio. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak.
October 2002
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Staff Sgt. Catherine Waddler briefs O.C. Mark Ziolkowski (left) and several other Maryland candidates on proper installation of a DNVT (digital non-secure voice terminal) phone. Photo by Maj. Jane Zak.

CW4 Roger Perry (center) and Sgt. Maj. Rosemarie Willams volunteer to serve the afternoon meal to officer candidates from Maryland and Delaware. O.C. Gary Nelson, DEARNG, (right) waits while Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Godfrey places french fries in on his tray. Photo by Master Sgt. (retired) Frank Bryson.