Officer Candidate School - Mississippi Army National Guard

03/09/2026

03/01/2026

Phase II is officially underway for Class 69. The 9-mile ruck immediately set the tone for what Phase II demands. Stepping off in the rain, under load, Officer Candidates quickly realized this was not going to be a fair-weather event. Cadre were on the road beside them, rucking shoulder-to-shoulder and leading from the front, not observing from the sidelines. In Crucible Company, standards are not enforced from behind; they are demonstrated through action. Leadership means sharing the hardship, embracing the conditions, and proving that no one is above the standard. Class 69 successfully completed two graduation requirements this weekend: the 9-mile ruck and the Military Justice exam. Officer Candidates also conducted their first Commander’s Brief, received multiple blocks of classroom instruction, endured early morning PT sessions, and quickly learned that attention to detail matters, especially during barracks inspections.

A special congratulations to CPT Hope Hester, who received the RTI Commander’s (COL Anthony) Coin for Excellence for her outstanding instruction on Military Justice. Her professionalism, command presence, and clarity of instruction directly contributed to the success of Class 69 this drill.

Phase II raises the bar. Expectations increase. Details matter.

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”.

02/06/2026

Today we had the privilege of presenting SFC Jason Cooper with the Army Commendation Medal and the Mississippi Commendation Medal in recognition of his exceptional service as a Platoon Trainer NCO with OCS Crucible Company from August 2022 to December 2025.

SFC Cooper has been an outstanding NCO, selfless, disciplined, and relentless in his commitment to developing the next generation of Officers. As he transitions to Warrant Officer Candidate School, we have no doubt he will continue to excel. He will graduate in March, and we know he will make an exceptional Warrant Officer, carrying forward the same professionalism, leadership, and excellence that defined his time here.

Thank you for everything you’ve given to this program and to the Mississippi Army National Guard. Best of luck in your next chapter, we’re proud of you and we’ll be watching.

01/23/2026

Today, 14 Officer Candidates step forward and depart for OCS Phase I at Fort McClellan, AL the first crucible in the making of our future leaders.

This is where commitment is tested, character is revealed, and the foundation of officership is forged under pressure. The road won’t be easy, but nothing worth earning ever is.

11 Traditional Officer Candidates will return on 06 FEB to continue Phase II here at Camp Shelby, carrying forward the momentum and lessons learned in Phase I.

3 Accelerated Officer Candidates will push straight through, graduating and commissioning on 20 MAR at Fort McClellan, AL.

Different timelines. Same standard. One calling. What comes next will test you, shape you, and define you. Leadership is earned here. Stand tall. Trust the process. Embrace the crucible.

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”.

01/23/2026

Huge thank you to 2LT Kristina Lacy-Jones (Class 68) for coming back to speak with our newest Officer Candidates.

She didn’t sugarcoat the experience, she spoke honestly about the pressure, the doubt, the grind, and the growth that defines OCS. That perspective matters before Officer Candidates ever step onto the line.

This is the standard: graduates returning to the fire to prepare those who are next.

Well done, 2LT Lacy-Jones. The legacy continues.

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”.

08/11/2025

Yesterday, 17 Officer Candidates crossed the stage and into the ranks of our Officer corps as proud graduates of MSARNG OCS Class 68. Through dedication, grit, and unwavering determination, they’ve earned the right to lead Soldiers and serve our State and Nation. Congratulations, Class 68, you have met the standard, and your journey as leaders has only just begun.

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”.

08/10/2025

Last night we had our inaugural OCS Alumni Event, and it was a night to remember. On the eve of Class 68’s graduation, our future Second Lieutenants got to see the tradition, camaraderie, and leadership legacy they’re stepping into.

During the event, MAJ Scroubelos presented his OCS Commander’s Coin to:
• CPT (Ret) Martin Mitchell for serving as the MC for this year’s graduation and for his many years of dedicated service to the OCS program.
• CPT Brandon Berry for his service as a TAC Officer from APR 2025 to JUL 2025. CPT Berry was recently hired AGR as the BN Training Officer for the 2-114th FA.
• SFC Jason Cooper for two years of outstanding service to the program. In addition to the coin, we presented SFC Cooper with a Thor Hammer as a small token of appreciation for his impact and dedication.

Also, MG Ginn, on behalf of the JFH Officer’s Association, presented three Mississippi Officers Association Active Life Memberships to Officer Candidates Andrew McNair, Daniel Nunez, and Kristina Lacy-Jones.

A special thank you to our Cadre, Alumni, and Officer Candidates who made this event possible. Your dedication, hard work, and pride in the program were on full display.

This is just the beginning, we’re already looking forward to next year’s event and watching it grow even bigger!

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”.

08/09/2025

Today, we had the privilege of presenting CPT Ryan Strickland, our former Senior TAC Officer, with a going away gift and the Army Commendation Medal on behalf of the OCS Commander.

For the past three years, CPT Strickland has faithfully served the Mississippi Army National Guard Officer Candidate School, shaping and molding countless future leaders through his mentorship, professionalism, and unwavering dedication. His impact will be felt for years to come in the leaders he has trained and inspired.

We wish CPT Strickland the very best in his new assignment at 66th Troop Command and continued success throughout his career. Thank you for your service to the program, your leadership, and your example.

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”

08/09/2025

Today, the OCS cadre flew to Fort McClellan, AL to pick up our 17 Officer Candidates who have successfully completed the final phase of Officer Candidate School.

These men and women have endured months of intense training, proven their leadership under pressure, and earned their place among the next generation of leaders in the Mississippi Army National Guard.

They will graduate this Sunday at Camp Shelby, MS, ready to take their commission, lead Soldiers, and serve both the State of Mississippi and our Nation.

Congratulations Class 68!

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”

07/25/2025

Four Traditional Officer Candidates from MSARNG Class 68 took flight from Camp Shelby aboard a CH-47 Chinook from the 185th TAB, heading to Fort McClellan, AL for Phase III, the final phase of OCS.

Over the next two weeks, they’ll train alongside Officer Candidates from across the country, both traditional and accelerated, in a demanding environment designed to test their leadership, resilience, and grit.

Before takeoff, MG Rhodes, Assistant Adjutant General Army for Mississippi, stopped by to wish them luck and offer words of encouragement. His visit, and a quick photo, meant a great deal to the future leaders of our force.

Upon completion, they’ll return home alongside 13 Summer Accelerated Officer Candidates from the MSARNG for a graduation ceremony on 10 AUG 2025 at the Camp Shelby Post Theater.

The path has been long and challenging, but the legacy they’re about to join is even greater. Let’s finish strong, Class 68.

“Through Trial, Leaders are Born”.