The Texas State Guard (State Defense Force – TXSG) is starting the new year hard and strong, setting a clear tone for what is expected of those who aspire to lead within its ranks. January training for Officer Candidate School candidates opened with an immediate test of endurance, discipline, and mental toughness: a timed 12-mile weighted ruck march. This demanding requirement is not simply a physical challenge, but a deliberate introduction to the realities of leadership under stress, where fatigue, pressure, and responsibility must all be managed simultaneously.
This event reflects the broader philosophy behind the Texas State Guard’s Officer Candidate School, where candidates are prepared for the physical and leadership demands of commissioning as officers. The Texas State Guard depends on Commissioned Officers who can serve as decision-makers, managers, and problem solvers across a wide range of missions. From disaster response during hurricanes and flooding, to border support operations, to assisting civil authorities during public health emergencies, these officers are expected to lead from the front and set the standard for professionalism and performance.
For individuals without a prior federal commission, the only pathway to becoming a Texas State Guard line officer is through successful application to, completion of, and graduation from Officer Candidate School. OCS is a physically and mentally challenging program designed to transform civilian professionals and prior Non-Commissioned Officers into effective military leaders. Candidates routinely describe the course as one of the most demanding yet rewarding experiences of their lives, as it pushes them to develop confidence, resilience, and the ability to lead under pressure.
The Officer Candidate School program typically spans six months, running from August through January and producing one class each year. Candidates train one weekend per month, from Thursday through Sunday, while completing extensive research, writing, and academic assignments between drills. The course begins with a reception weekend focused on screening, evaluations, and boards to form the class. Phase I blends field training with online instruction, followed by Phase II, which consists of in-residence training conducted at Camp Swift. The program culminates with graduation at Camp Mabry, marking the transition from candidate to commissioned officer.
This program is designed to acclimate prospective officers to military life and prepare them for the rigors of OCS. The emphasis is placed on physical endurance, mental toughness, and leadership development underscores a core truth shared not only by the Texas State Guard but by State Defense Forces across the country: these organizations require the very best and most resilient leaders to guide their troops. Officers are expected to be the example others follow, first in and last out, willing to shoulder hardship alongside their soldiers. When the time comes to rescue Texans during hurricanes marked by violent winds, widespread flooding, and relentless rain, troops must trust their leaders completely. That trust is built during moments like a grueling 12-mile ruck march, where future officers prove they can push themselves to the limit and lead with confidence when it matters most.
Texas State Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS) candidates completed a timed 12-mile weighted ruck march over the weekend. This event is part of the rigorous training program designed to prepare candidates for the physical and leadership demands of commissioning as officers in the Texas State Guard.
Source: Texas State Guard
