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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, is accompanied by guests at his enlistment ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Woods enlisted into the Oklahoma ANG to serve beyond his congressional district and will attend Air Force basic military training and security forces technical training between state senate sessions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

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Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, is accompanied by guests at his enlistment ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Woods enlisted into the Oklahoma ANG to serve beyond his congressional district and will attend Air Force basic military training and security forces technical training between state senate sessions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, right, introduces former U.S. Army Spc. 5 Dwight W. Birdwell, a Medal of Honor recipient, after taking his oath of enlistment into the Oklahoma Air National Guard at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Birdwell earned two purple hearts, a Bronze Star for meritorious service and two Silver Stars during the course of his service in the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

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Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, right, introduces former U.S. Army Spc. 5 Dwight W. Birdwell, a Medal of Honor recipient, after taking his oath of enlistment into the Oklahoma Air National Guard at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Birdwell earned two purple hearts, a Bronze Star for meritorious service and two Silver Stars during the course of his service in the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Rex Alan Star, left, Arkansas Air National Guard, issues the oath of enlistment to Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Woods enlisted into the Oklahoma ANG to serve beyond his congressional district and will attend Air Force basic military training and security forces technical training between state senate sessions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Rex Alan Star, left, Arkansas Air National Guard, issues the oath of enlistment to Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Woods enlisted into the Oklahoma ANG to serve beyond his congressional district and will attend Air Force basic military training and security forces technical training between state senate sessions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

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U.S. Air Force Maj. Rex Alan Star, left, Arkansas Air National Guard, issues the oath of enlistment to Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, at the Oklahoma State Capitol on June 26, 2023, Oklahoma City. Woods said he enlisted into the Oklahoma ANG for the opportunity to serve more Oklahomans than who he currently serves in his congressional district. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Erika Chapa)

Tom Woods, an Oklahoma state senator, took the oath of enlistment and joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard on Monday, June 26, 2023. Woods enlisted into the Oklahoma ANG to serve beyond his congressional district and will attend Air Force basic military training and security forces technical training between state senate sessions.

Video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert

Thunderbird Challenge Program teaches cadets no obstacle too big to overcome

Oklahoma National Guard

Oct. 25, 2024 | 1:23

The Thunderbird Challenge Program is a 22-week tuition-free military program for Oklahoma students in need of school credit recovery. The program uses the structure and discipline of the military to support cadets while they attend high school classes, GED classes as well as learn job skills and life coping skills.

While at Camp Gruber Training Center, Thunderbird cadets took on the same obstacle course that Soldiers taking part in Air Assault School, best warrior competitions and pre-mobilization training face.

The cadets also faced off with one another in pugil stick bouts supervised by TCP cadre, and some cadets had the opportunity to rappel from CGTC’s 40-foot rappel tower. (Oklahoma National Guard video by Sgt. Haden Tolbert)

CG:
00:15:08
Traci Johnson
Commandant of Cadets, Thunderbird Challenge Program

00:34:27
Marissa Treat
Thunderbird Challenge Program Cadet