TXSG OCS graduates first female officer from the Air Component Command

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Djoko Soejoto
  • Texas State Guard
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School commissioned their first female officer from the Air Component Command Jan. 17, 2015.

Stevie L. McCoy, 482nd Air Support Group, was commissioned to a Second Lieutenant at Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas.  She was administered the Oath of Office by Maj. Gen. Gerald R. Betty, TXSG commanding general and pinned on by her daughters Scarlett, age 7, and Codi-Noelle, age 3.

The 30- year-old Wayland Baptist University graduate is currently employed as a Non-Appropriated Funds employee with 82nd Force Support Squadron. She spent five years in the Air Force Reserves as a medical technician at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. before relocating to Texas.

McCoy joined the TXSG in 2012 as an E-6 and has been serving on state Active Duty orders for the past two years in support of the TXSG.

The TXSG began their OCS program in 2011 to develop junior officers trained for the mission needs specific to the State Guard. The newly revised OCS course is five months long consisting of one month of pre-commissioning academic courses followed by 4-day monthly drill training events held at Camp Swift in Bastrop, Texas and Camp Bullis in San Antonio, Texas.

Throughout the course, candidates are required to pass four Army Physical Fitness Tests, complete the Air Assault Confidence Course, the Leadership Reaction Course, Rappelling Exercise, seven Federal Emergency Management Agency Courses and develop two Army Operation Orders and presentations.

"There is no way to accurately describe how stressful OCS is," said McCoy.  "Knowing there had not been a female graduate in three years put a lot of pressure on me."

In addition to being the only female graduate from Class 14, McCoy was also the recipient of the Physical Fitness Award for earning the highest Army Physical Fitness Test score.

"I could not have graduated without the support of my family and classmates," said McCoy. "The reward was worth the effort though. You can't find a higher caliber of training anywhere else."

McCoy's class began with 24 candidates but only seven graduated and received their commission.

It is estimated that candidates spend approximately 350 hours off-duty training and studying, 180 hours of drill, 2,800 miles traveled for the demands of OCS. The condensed time frame of the program increases the intensity for candidates who must balance OCS with their civilian jobs and families.

The next OCS class is scheduled to begin in February 2015.

----  About the Texas State Guard

The Texas State Guard is one of three components of the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) operating under the command of the adjutant General of Texas and the Governor as Commander In Chief of all state military forces.  The TXMF includes the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard.

The mission of the Texas State Guard is to provide mission-ready military forces to assist state and local authorities in times of state emergencies; to conduct homeland security and community service activities under the umbrella of Defense Support to Civil Authorities; and to augment the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air National Guard as required.

Headquartered at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, the TXSG functions as an organized state militia under the authority of Title 32 of the U.S. Code and Chapter 431 of the Texas Government Code.

  If you are interested in joining the TXSG contact Recruiter Sgt Dotty Kolodgy at dotty.kolodgy@txsg.state.tx.us  or visit the TXSG website www.txsg.state.tx.us.