Those looking to become members of the Connecticut National Guard are undergoing some intense training this week.
EAST LYME, Conn. — Some of the men and women looking to become members of the Connecticut National Guard are undergoing some intense training this week.
Phase one of Officer Candidate School, also known as OCS, is underway in East Lyme.
“It showed me firsthand why America probably has the greatest army in the world,” said Edward Ha, when asked about the training in East Lyme.
Ha is one of more than 80 United States Army officer candidates enrolled in phase one of Officer Candidate School with the Connecticut National Guard.
He said prior to this, he had no military background whatsoever.
“This is by far the most challenging things I’ve ever done in my life, but also the most rewarding one,” Ha said.
He added that his wife is also in the military and that his two-year-old son helped him with training by assisting with push-ups.
On Thursday, the candidates at Stone Ranch Military Reservation in East Lyme worked on land navigation.
“They've just completed their classroom training on how to read maps and do some spatial analysis and terrain association,” Lt. Elizabeth Turner said.
Turner, the battalion commander of OCS, said on Thursday that they were undergoing practical training.
She said the two-week program is tough and not everyone makes it through.
“It’s designed to really make sure we can put them in an environment which stresses them accurately and see how their decision process works when they are stressed," Turner said.
She said the ruck march sends candidates on a six-mile walk, carrying 35 pounds on their back. Between that and their land navigation program, they can usually tell who will withstand the training and who will bow out.
“It’s a gut check, if I can’t do a six-mile road march, what else am I not going to do and people kind of get into their heads," Turner said. “We do our best to make sure they are mentally prepared but can’t help with the physical preparedness.”
Daniel Pyo, an officer candidate, said the weather plays a huge part during training – especially on the heels of a heat advisory.
“The weather does play a factor,” Pyo said. “When it’s sunny, you’ve just got to remember to hydrate, drink a lot of water. When it’s raining, you have to look at your footing, but the weather adds to the experience to spending time out and doing land navigation.”
He and Zach Hilmer agree - the training is no joke.
“It’s very physically demanding and it’s becoming more mentally demanding in terms of cognition and things to remember as time goes on,” Hilmer said.
Pyo noted that it’s nice being in a program with people from surrounding states.
“At times it may feel like you’re alone going through this program, going through any physical or mental hardships then you realize other people are going through the same and it builds comradery," Pyo said.
MORE NEWS:
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.