Local Soldier Receives Awards

Local soldier receives awards at Louisiana National Guard OCS 50TH Anniversary.
Old officers celebrate anniversary as new officers graduate.

Jim Spurlin who was born and raised in Central, received numerous awards at the 50th graduation ceremony Louisiana National Guard’s Officer Candidate School. He is the son of Carole Spurlin and the late Gene Spurlin of Greenwell Springs. His father was retired Air Force and passed away just 3 months before Jim’s graduation but had always been an encouragement to him in his personal and military ambitions. Jim followed in the footsteps of his father by choosing to serve in the military. Jim currently lives in Denham Springs with his wife Laura, daughter Bre’An and sons Jonas and Ezra.

Louisiana National Guard’s officer candidate school, graduated Classes 50 and 51A, with former class members from the past 50 years in attendance. The Officer Candidates celebrated their graduation together with family and friends at Tioga High School, in Ball, La. on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

Officer candidates may either attend the traditional officer candidate school one weekend a month and two annual training sessions over 18 months (Class 50) or attend the accelerated course where Guardsmen complete the training active-duty over three months (Class 51A).

Winner of the Leadership Award and the Adjutant General’s Award for being named the Honor Graduate for Class 50, 2nd Lt. Jim Spurlin of Denham Springs, La., said he felt relief at finally graduating and looked forward to the future. He also received the opportunity to attend Airborne School.

"I think the feeling is relief more than anything else," Spurlin said. "I’m happy it’s finally over, with a good outcome and I can move on to a new step in my career."

"I’m very proud of him," said Spurlin’s wife of nine years, Laura.

The Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard, Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau told the new officers they have remarkable opportunities to look forward to.

"You are embarking on a tremendous career," he told them. "You face a path full of exciting possibilities … you have the drive, you have the training, you have the heart and the leadership to step across the line and make a lasting impact on every Soldier you have the opportunity to lead."

Other awards for Class 50 were presented to: 2nd Lt. Daniel Stacks for the National Guard Association of Louisiana Award for the highest physical training, the Erickson Award which is a combination of leadership, academics and physical training and the opportunity to attend Airborne School. The award for highest academic average went to 2nd Lt. John Scott.

Awards for Class 51A were presented to: 2nd Lt. Lance Macalester for the National Guard Association of Louisiana Award for the highest physical training and to 2nd Lt. Nicholas Glatzer for highest academic average. The Association of the United States Army Award, which is an average of scores for leadership and peer evaluation, and the opportunity to attend Airborne School, went to 2nd Lt. Brandon Jones.