GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM and OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS

In the decades since the OCS branch immaterial program was implemented in 1973, it continues to provide commissioned officers to the total force for all basic branches of the Army. The demand for well-trained junior officers has expanded and contracted during those decades, which included major conflicts such as the 1991 Gulf War, peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, the Iraq War, and continuing operations in Afghanistan. The War on Terror is still underway as U.S. forces continue to be a vital part of the intervention against the Islamic State. Since its inception in 1941, through major wars, the Cold War, and participation in numerous operations and conflicts all over the world, the Officer Candidate School continues to demonstrate uncommon flexibility, professionalism and the unmatched ability to provide the U.S. Army with competent, well trained, and fearless officers in the shortest and most responsive time.

Since 9-11, and the beginning of the Global War on Terrorism, OCS has operated between three to five companies and produced between 800-1200 lieutenants a year. The Army has been in continuous combat since 2001, and OCS graduates have served in every capacity to support that effort. Two OCS officers received the Medal of Honor during this period, Captains William Swenson and Florent Groberg. In addition to combat service in the Middle East, OCS graduates have served in Africa, the Philippines, and other locations.

The demands of these conflicts meant large-scale reserve component deployments with many state OCS graduates leading a variety of units. Major General Joseph J. Taluto, a graduate of New York’s Empire Military Academy, commanded the 42nd Infantry Division in Iraq. General Taluto’s deployment marked the first time since World War II a National Guard officer commanded his division in combat.