MEET THE CLASS

Introducing OCS Class 68

Class 68 brings together dedicated individuals from the mountains to the coast, each with unique backgrounds, leadership styles, and a shared commitment to service.

IRON SHARPENS IRON!

Your Future N.C. Army National Guard Officers:

Austin Adkins

Austin Alan Adkins is from Peachland, NC and has been in the military for 14.5 years, with 7 of those as AGR. His previous civilian experience is in manufacturing. His desired branch is infantry because it has the most opportunity to commission by staying AGR. His leadership philosophy is "Lead by Example". His hobby is collecting guns one thing that drives him is his mom was murdered by her drug dealer.

Chase Beam

Chase Beam is from Raleigh, NC. He currently works as a licensed PTA for Home Health specializing in homebound patients throughout Raleigh and surrounding territories. His military background is +7 years Active Duty Army with 82nd ABN DIV and MEDCOM experience at Kimbrough Ambulance Care Center at Ft. Meade, MD. Deployment with 82nd as QRF to Poland in response to Russian invasion into Ukraine. Parachute Badge. Humanitarian Service Medal in response to State Active Duty for Hurricane Helene. Branch: Chemical. Always necessary for combat effectiveness of a unit. His leadership style is: Never give an order that you would never do yourself. His hobbies include gaming, reading with my daughter, brewery hopping, motorcycle riding, and visiting the gun range with the wife.

Cody Broadbent

Born in Poland, New York, Cody Alan Broadbent spent 6 years in the Marine Corps in the aviation field before deciding to join the National Guard and become an officer. Logistics is his branch of choice. His leadership philosophy is: finding and executing ways to ensure troops have everything they need, stating it as "Bleed from the Front". His hobbies include playing and watching soccer, working on and racing cars, and collecting watches.

Charles Eaton

DeNickolis Faggart

DeNickolis Faggart was born in Charlotte, NC. His civilian and military background is prior service as a 35F & 42A. His desired branch would be any branch that would allow him to continue his AGR work. His leadership philosophy is: ⁠learn to listen, lead with the information presented. His hobbies include traveling. Some interesting facts about him is that he played rugby and has 2 dogs.

William Foster

William Foster is from Pittsburgh, PA. His civilian background is within the finance industry along with Human Resources. Military background is in HR and Engineering. His desired branch is Logistics because currently as a NCO, he's seen that mission success depends on reliable sustainment regardless if it's stateside or overseas. His reason for Logistics is: My enlisted experience, combined with my MBA studies has led me to pursue Logistics so I can support Soldiers and units effectively. While at the same time will help me implement a new pathway of my career. His leadership style is: I believe leadership is more than a position or title but a responsibility someone learn to master. Leaders set the example, maintaining and enforce the standards while creating an environment where people feel respected. His hobbies are biking and traveling.

Jacob Gao

Jacob Yuan Gao is from Xi’an, China. Gao currently serves as a Product Manager at a Fortune 500 company. Prior to attending OCS he erved as a 92A (Automated Logistical Specialist) and Logistics Sergeant. His desired branch is Signal because it closely aligns with his professional experience in technology. His background in product management and tech strategy has prepared him to contribute effectively to communications and information systems within the Army. His Leadership Philosophy is: I believe leaders are also followers. Effective leaders lead by example, remain humble, and are always willing to learn from those around them. His hobbies include shooting at the range and playing the ukulele. His ideal way to vacation is going on cruises with his family.

Stefan Gittens

Siddharth Gollarahalli

Siddharth Gollarahalli is from ⁠Cary, NC. He has held several different roles in finance across multiple financial institutions. As a 09S who completed BCT in Dec, 2024, and enlisted in Feb, 2024 he would like to branch Artillery or Intel. His rational is because there's a good blend of combat arms and math for artillery and good educational background for intel. He thinks: Leadership shouldn’t aim to be seen as leaders. Rather, their primary goal should be to ensure those underneath them have the tools, wherewithal , support , and motivation to complete their responsibilities to the best of their ability. He doesn't have any real hobbies but does have an aquarium and a dog named James Bond.

Jasmine Johnson

Corey Presley

Corey S. Pressley is from Greeneville, Tennessee. He enlisted in the Army and currently serves as a 92Y Unit Supply Specialist. In this role he manages accountability, logistics, and equipment readiness for his unit while also mentoring junior soldiers in supply operations and property management. This experience has required strong attention to detail, organization, and leadership in maintaining mission readiness. Prior to the military he worked in civilian roles that emphasized responsibility, teamwork, and problem solving. From group home health care, correctional institutions to communications. His time in service has strengthened leadership abilities and reinforced his desire to continue serving at a higher level. His desired branch is Logistics and his background in supply operations he has a deep appreciation for how critical logistics is to mission success. Effective sustainment ensures units remain equipped, operational, and capable of accomplishing their objectives. As an officer he wants to leverage my enlisted experience to lead soldiers, improve logistical systems, and ensure units have the resources necessary to fight and win. His Leadership Philosophy is: My leadership philosophy centers on leading by example, accountability, and taking care of soldiers. Leaders must set the standard through their own actions while building trust within their team. I believe strong leaders develop their people, enforce standards fairly, and create an environment where soldiers understand the purpose behind the mission. When soldiers feel valued and understand the mission, they perform at a higher level. Outside of work he enjoys gaming, tabletop strategy games such as Dungeons & Dragons, and participating in online communities where teamwork and strategy are important. He also enjoys studying military history and leadership concepts.

Daniel Spagone

Michael Strickland

Michael Strickland is from Fayetteville, NC. His civilian background is in hospitality, specifically management and entrepreneurship. His military background is that of a 09S. His desired branch is Infantry because he thinks the skills that you learn within that branch are the most important in the world. What could be more important than survival, community, engagement, and camaraderie? His leadership philosophy is: Leadership is the act of empowering individuals through trust and clear vision to accomplish more together than they ever could alone. His hobbies include running, working out, reading, playing guitar, and exploring the world with his wife Ashleigh, and 2 sons Micky and Maddux.

Nicholas Whitmer

Nicholas Whitmer is from Wake Forest, NC. His civilian background is in Real Estate Development and his military background is as a 09S. His desired branch is Infantry because he wants to be on the line. His Leadership Philosophy is: Set the example; Trust subordinates judgement & ability to execute; clear task, conditions, standard. His hobbies include reading, computers, fast cars, football, and coffee.

Joseph Ziegler

Joseph Cardell Ziegler III is from Chicago, Illinois. He holds a B.A. Psychology and a M.Ed School Counseling, and is a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate, and has worked as a business consultant, scaffolder, taxi driver, insurance agent, paraprofessional, behavioral therapist, school counselor, and mental health counselor. His military background is as a 09S. His desired branch and reason are: MP, I want to mobilize domestically and help people within the state. Plus there are cops in my family (Chicago PD). So I get to be a cop. His Leadership Philosophy is: "Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death." -Sun Tzu His hobbies are running, hiking, journaling, drawing, eating, traveling, driving, watching movies, swimming, and cycling. An interesting fact is he's raced sailboats ⛵️