Noncommissioned Officer to Officer

Staff Sgt. Sandra Salinas-Fernandez, previously a 95th Training Division Drill Sergeant, graduates from the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Class 002-15. Photo by Mrs. Deborah Williams, 108th Training Command (IET), Public Affairs

By Mrs. Deborah Williams

108th Training Command (IET) Public Affairs

FORT BENNING, Ga. — Prior to their graduation, the U.S. Army Officer School Candidates of Class 002-15, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, held a formal Dining Out at the National Infantry Museum, Fort Benning, Georgia on Feb 17.

The commanding general of the 108th Training Command (IET), Maj. Gen. Leslie Purser, was the guest speaker.

Purser was invited by one of the graduates previously assigned to the 95th Training Division (IET), 108th Training Command (IET), for nine years. Staff Sgt. Sandra Salinas-Fernandez, a former drill sergeant, recently received a conditional release from the Army Reserve to attend OCS.

“I met Maj. Gen. Purser at the Drill Sgt. of the Year Competition last year, where I was a competitor,” said Salinas-Fernandez. “Another Soldier in my class here, Staff Sgt. John McKinney, also from the 108th, and I believed Maj. Gen. Purser would be a great speaker for our class as she has a significant military background, a member of the Reserve and a female.”

After the social hour and photos, every graduate went through the receiving line. Posting of the Colors opened the official ceremony followed by the invocation and toasts. At the completion of the dinner meal, Purser spoke to the graduates.

“I was provided with some data on this class and I was really impressed. Of 127 graduates, 21 have masters degrees, three law degrees, 17 NCAA Athletes (to include an Olympian) and seven Fortune 500 Company employees. But what impressed me most were your PT scores. You guys are awesome! Congratulations!” Purser said.

Purser said great leaders such as retired Senator Bob Dole, retired General Tommy Franks and the Honorable Caspar Weinberger, to name a few, are all graduates of the Officer Candidate School.

“Just like you, they all once sat here with an uncertain, but optimistic future. They took their skills and leadership to help shape this country into a better place and I know that many of you will become great influential leaders as well.”

Several Soldiers in the graduating class were well on their way to achieving the kind of leadership that Purser spoke of. Salinas-Fernandez and McKinney were inspired by their time spent in the 108th and wanted to do something more.

“Under the 108th, I worked at the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School in the S4 during the time when the Reserve Component was deactivating the school in order to combine with the Active Component, thereby, forming a consolidated School,” McKinney said. “It was an awesome opportunity to work with the Reserve and Active Component Soldiers. They worked well together and I enjoyed every minute of it.”

“I came up through the ranks from private to staff sergeant. As a NCO I was given tasks and tools to accomplish the mission and impact the Army, but I wanted to do it on a larger scale so by becoming an officer I feel the opportunities are limitless,” McKinney concluded.

Salinas-Fernandez also plans to continue to strive for goals she has set for herself.

Staff Sgt. Sandra Salinas-Fernandez, recent graduate of the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, was previously a 95th Training Division (IET) Drill Sergeant. She maneuvers through obstacles on the Confidence Course during the Best Warrior Competition, NCO of the Year and DSOY in Fort Huachuca, Arizona in 2014. Photo by Master Sgt. Deborah Williams, 108th Training Command (IET), Public Affairs

Recent graduate of the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, Staff Sgt. Sandra Salinas-Fernandez, previously a 95th Training Division (IET) Drill Sergeant, competes in the Night Land Navigation at the Best Warrior Competition, NCO of the Year and DSOY in Fort Huachuca, Arizona in 2014. Photo by Master Sgt. Deborah Williams, 108th Training Command (IET), Public Affairs