TRADOC Graduates Soldier Leadership Course Class

Story by Staff Sgt. Kirby and Pfc. Shepard
Photo by Pfc. Shepard, Georgia State Defense Force

With sunlight piercing the horizon, the SLC class gets an early start in performing drill and ceremony exercises one morning this spring.

CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga. — The Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) recently completed its 2016-01 Soldier Leadership Course (SLC), marking an impressive milestone in the military careers of the 12 class graduates.

Leadership and training are essential to the GSDF, and the SLC provides Soldiers an opportunity to acquire the technical and tactical skills, knowledge, and experience needed to lead others.

The graduation, which took place in June at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth, recognized the completion of the arduous six-month class that began in January. “We’re proud of this year’s class and its achievements,” said Lt. Col. Vance, Deputy Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). “These graduates represent some of GSDF’s very best.”

SLC Areas of Focus

The SLC focused on three areas: Leadership, Training, and Situational Training Exercises. Throughout the course, Soldiers gained opportunities to hone their skills in various disciplines, including land navigation, medical triage, and tactical operations. Soldiers applying to the SLC must receive approval from their chain of command. In addition, class candidates must meet all GSDF requirements and regulations, including height/weight standards, current CPR certification, and current Anti-Terrorism-Level One certification.

Graduates of SLC 2016-01

GEORGIA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER, Forsyth, Ga. — Graduates (11 of 12) of the SLC 2016-01 proudly display their certificates of course completion. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kirby, Georgia State Defense Force

Spc. Crawford, HHC REC
Cpl. Dallas, TRADOC
Spc. Lake, 132BN/76BDE
Pfc. Litchford, 4BN/1BDE
Spc. Melko, 911th SPT BN/ 76 SPT BDE
Spc. Morrill, 2BN/1BDE
Sgt. Murphy, TRADOC
Pfc. Noe, 4BN/1BDE
Pfc. O’Neil, G3
Pfc. Patterson, 2BN/1BDE
Spc. Van Holm, 132BN/76BDE
Cpl. Woodall, A Co./2nd BN/5 BD

Spc. Crawford earned the Honor Graduate Award. Spc. Melko and Sgt. Murphy each received a Student Leadership Award.

TRADOC’s Course Development

TRADOC administered the 2016-01 SLC. Sgt. 1st Class Derucki and Staff Sgt. Slocumb, both of TRADOC, led the Cadre team. The Cadre spent a year revamping the SLC, and the revised course was offered for the first time to this class. “The work Cadre poured into developing the course is evidenced by its outstanding delivery to this class of graduates,” Lt. Col. Vance said. “It’s a testament of the Cadre’s dedication to TRADOC and to the standards GSDF upholds.”

SLC 2016 Cadre

Sgt. 1st Class Derucki, Cadre Leader
Staff Sgt. Slocumb, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC)
Staff Sgt. Rollins, Senior Instructor
Staff Sgt. Kirby, Point of Contact
Cpl. Dallas, Instructor