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INFANTRY OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL |
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Reunion 1 Nov 6, 2010 |
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OCS 28-69 |
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Reunion Dinner Recap |
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The official reunion dinner of the Officer Candidate School Class of 1969 convened Saturday evening, 6 November 2010. The dinner was held in the Heritage Room at the National Infantry Museum, Ft. Benning, Georgia. The welcome was offered by TJ Pollard, and the OCS prayer was presented as the invocation by Jerry Wilson. Serving as the Master of Ceremonies, Bob Mulligan recognized the following honored guests: Lieutenant Colonel Dean Bushnell and his wife Kathy Bushnell; Major Severino; and returning former tactical officers Tom Drummond and Marc Goldberg. The pledge to the flag was made, and dinner was served. Following dinner, Master of Ceremonies Bob Mulligan introduced Lieutenant Colonel Dean Bushnell. LTC Bushnell currently serves as the Battalion Commander of the 3rd Battalion OCS, 11th Infantry at Ft.Benning, Georgia. In 1992, LTC Bushnell received his commission as an infantry second lieutenant through Officer Candidate School—the very battalion that he commands today. In his presentation, LTC Bushnell spoke of completing the OCS program as the “greatest achievement of this life” and “an honor to return as the commandant.” He offered that he saw the “same sparkle in the eyes of the new candidates as seen tonight in yours (the OCS reunion members), 41 years later.” LTC Bushnell described the rigors of training and academics in the OCS program, and he compared the programs of yesterday and today—stating that while both have the “same pride of brotherhood, the roles of the candidates today continue to evolve.” In describing the typical OCS candidate today, Bushnell cited that “there is nothing typical.” He described them as “great Americans” with a tremendous wealth of experience who wanted to “give something back” and “serve the nation” and “make a difference.” Bushnell reminded everyone attending to be “proud of your legacy” and “your amazing passion and inspiration to serve the nation when called to do so.” LTC Bushnell also added that the program is now referred to as Benning’s Pride and Joy instead of Benning School for Boys—noting the addition of women serving in the program.
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