An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 11, 2020

Virgin Islands National Guard completes OC/T training

By Spc. Deneesha Smith Virgin Islands National Guard

SANTIAGO, Puerto Rico – Members of the Virgin Islands National Guard completed an Observer Coach and Trainers course at Fort Buchanan Feb. 5-9.

Instructed by noncommissioned officers from the First Army Academy, the FAA provided a foundation to train leaders on leading procedures, OC/T core competencies, lane set up, and after-action reviews.

"I will use the information received to continue to educate Soldiers, boost morale, help my fellow NCO battle buddies with the right way to train Soldiers to sustain, and to maintain training requirements," said Sgt. Esau Brooks, distinguished honor graduate and a member of the 610th Quartermaster Water Supply Company.

In addition to gaining a greater understanding of the training audience, receiving feedback from units is a critical function for an OC/T.

The training covered the duties and responsibilities of the trainer and the proper way to facilitate training. "This training will allow Soldiers to understand exactly how training is conducted and the doctrinal standards to perform any task given to them, to excel to the next level," said Brooks.

"This training has strengthened my leadership skills, which is needed to ensure continuity of training for the Soldiers," said Sgt. 1st Class Fitzroy Tutein, member of the 786th HHC.

The OC/T course instills professionals with the knowledge to properly validate each unit at the home station and deployment mobilization centers.

 

 

Related Articles
Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the adjutant general of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard, and Portuguese Lt. Gen. Rui Freitas sign the formal agreement creating the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program between the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese military on Jan. 12, 2026, at the Portuguese Ministry of Defense in Lisbon. The State Partnership Program is a Department of War initiative led by the National Guard that supports the security cooperation objectives of U.S. combatant commands and aligns with U.S. State Department strategies. Photo by Cpl. Justin Malone.
Illinois Guard, Portugal Formalize New State Partnership Agreement
By Cpl. Justin Malone, | Jan. 13, 2026
LISBON, Portugal – The Illinois National Guard and the Ministry of National Defense of the Portuguese Republic held a ceremony Jan. 12 to officially establish a new State Partnership Program agreement between the two armed...

Pennsylvania National Guard and Côte d’Ivoire military officials announced Jan. 13, 2026, that the Pennsylvania National Guard has been selected to partner with Côte d’Ivoire through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Graphic by Wayne V. Hall.
Pennsylvania Guard, Côte d’Ivoire to Partner Through State Partnership Program
By Pennsylvania National Guard | Jan. 13, 2026
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Pennsylvania National Guard and Côte d’Ivoire military officials announced Jan. 13 that the Pennsylvania National Guard has been selected to partner with Côte d’Ivoire through the Department of War...

Participants and judges of the 2026 Connecticut National Guard Innovation Challenge pose for a photo inside the Governor William A. O'Neill State Armory, Hartford, Connecticut, Jan. 10, 2026. This challenge provides a forum for service members to pitch practical solutions directly to senior leaders to improve readiness, efficiency and communication across the force. Photo by Spc. Emmanuel Gibson.
Connecticut National Guard Teams Drive Innovation
By Sgt. Kaitlyn Quinn, | Jan. 12, 2026
HARTFORD, Conn. – Three teams of Connecticut National Guard service members presented ideas on how to improve their organization to a panel of judges Jan. 10 during the 2026 Innovation Challenge at the Officer’s Club of the...