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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | Aug. 6, 2025

OKGuard, RSU agreement builds future leaders

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (left), adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Raleigh (right), president of Rogers State University, sign a memorandum of agreement for the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Guard Officer Leadership Development program at RSU, one of the four programs throughout the state. The GOLD program is designed to develop and prepare individuals for commissioned officer roles in the OKARNG, equipping them with the skills needed to lead Soldiers effectively. From 1917 to 1971, RSU was known as the Oklahoma Military Academy which has a storied history within Oklahoma as a premiere military academy. The OMA Alumni association is still heavily involved with the university and GOLD program and has scholarship opportunities available to candidates. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Richard Beam)
SLIDESHOW | 2 images | 250804-Z-NK138-1235 Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (left), adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Raleigh (right), president of Rogers State University, sign a memorandum of agreement for the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Guard Officer Leadership Development program at RSU, one of the four programs throughout the state. The GOLD program is designed to develop and prepare individuals for commissioned officer roles in the OKARNG, equipping them with the skills needed to lead Soldiers effectively. From 1917 to 1971, RSU was known as the Oklahoma Military Academy which has a storied history within Oklahoma as a premiere military academy. The OMA Alumni association is still heavily involved with the university and GOLD program and has scholarship opportunities available to candidates. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Richard Beam)
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (left), adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Raleigh (right), president of Rogers State University, sign a memorandum of agreement for the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Guard Officer Leadership Development program at RSU, one of the four programs throughout the state. The GOLD program is designed to develop and prepare individuals for commissioned officer roles in the OKARNG, equipping them with the skills needed to lead Soldiers effectively. From 1917 to 1971, RSU was known as the Oklahoma Military Academy which has a storied history within Oklahoma as a premiere military academy. The OMA Alumni association is still heavily involved with the university and GOLD program and has scholarship opportunities available to candidates. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Richard Beam)
250804-Z-NK138-1235 1 of 2
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (left), adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Raleigh (right), president of Rogers State University, sign a memorandum of agreement for the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Guard Officer Leadership Development program at RSU, one of the four programs throughout the state. The GOLD program is designed to develop and prepare individuals for commissioned officer roles in the OKARNG, equipping them with the skills needed to lead Soldiers effectively. From 1917 to 1971, RSU was known as the Oklahoma Military Academy which has a storied history within Oklahoma as a premiere military academy. The OMA Alumni association is still heavily involved with the university and GOLD program and has scholarship opportunities available to candidates. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Richard Beam)
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Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (left), adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Raleigh (right), president of Rogers State University, sign a memorandum of agreement for the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Guard Officer Leadership Development program at RSU, one of the four programs throughout the state. The GOLD program is designed to develop and prepare individuals for commissioned officer roles in the OKARNG, equipping them with the skills needed to lead Soldiers effectively. From 1917 to 1971, RSU was known as the Oklahoma Military Academy which has a storied history within Oklahoma as a premiere military academy. The OMA Alumni association is still heavily involved with the university and GOLD program and has scholarship opportunities available to candidates. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Richard Beam)
250804-Z-NK138-1234 2 of 2
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino (left), adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Raleigh (right), president of Rogers State University, sign a memorandum of agreement for the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s Guard Officer Leadership Development program at RSU, one of the four programs throughout the state. The GOLD program is designed to develop and prepare individuals for commissioned officer roles in the OKARNG, equipping them with the skills needed to lead Soldiers effectively. From 1917 to 1971, RSU was known as the Oklahoma Military Academy which has a storied history within Oklahoma as a premiere military academy. The OMA Alumni association is still heavily involved with the university and GOLD program and has scholarship opportunities available to candidates. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Richard Beam)
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The past and future of military leadership converged at Rogers State University as Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma, and Dr. Don Raleigh, RSU president, signed a memorandum of agreement formalizing the Guard Officer Leadership Development program on campus.

Once known as the Oklahoma Military Academy from 1917 to 1971, RSU’s grounds have long echoed with the cadence of Soldiers preparing to lead. That legacy now continues as RSU serves as one of four sites across the state to host the GOLD program — a direct investment in developing the next generation of Oklahoma Army National Guard officers.

With strong support from the OMA Alumni Association, including scholarships available to candidates, the program reflects a shared commitment to preparing Citizen-Soldiers to lead with excellence.

More than a century after its founding as a premiere military academy, Rogers State is once again shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

See more photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/oklanationalguard/albums/72177720328217729.

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