OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Army National Guard hosted the annual Company Commander and First Sergeant Pre-Command Course at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Oklahoma, Sept. 14, 2024.

“I’m envious of the opportunities you have,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, speaking with company-level command teams attending the course. “You are truly where the rubber meets the road and it’s at your level that you develop and hone your leadership skills needed for the Guard to support our state and nation.”

The day-long course brings together subject matter experts from across the Oklahoma Army National Guard to mentor new company commanders and first sergeants on the essentials of command, including topics ranging from creating proper maintenance culture, conducting State Active Duty missions and how best to ensure their units are meeting the adjutant general’s priorities.

Capt. Ryan Stockton, a Yukon, Oklahoma resident and the commander of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th Field Artillery Brigade, said the course helps new command teams better understand Oklahoma Army National Guard-specific policies and procedures and expands on lessons taught at Army-wide leadership schools.

“Like any other Soldier in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, it’s important that we continue to broaden our education,” Stockton said. “This training nests [within Army leadership training] on how we lead our Soldiers. As commanders, we have a lot of things that affect us and our Soldiers, especially with our traditional Guardsmen who we only have limited time with. This course emphasizes the importance of understanding what systems and Soldiers we can affect and gives us better insight on how we can better the Guard.”