OCS Class FY 2021 Commissioning Ceremony Program

2021 Officer

Candidate

Commissioning

Ceremony

WEDNESDAY, THE FIFTEENTH OF SEPTEMBER AT TWELVE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON BUILDING 350, ASSEMBLY HALL GUAM ARMY NATIONAL GUARD BARRIGADA READINESS COMPLEX, GUAM

Candidates

Commissioning

AMANDA F. BLAS MILITARY INTELLIGENCE

MARCEL D. HIGGS II INFANTRY

ANICETO C. IGLOPAS JR. INFANTRY

BRYANJEROME M. PABLO SIGNAL CORPS

MARC VANDYKE C. SABANGAN FIELD ARTILLERY

MARK D. TAITANO QUARTERMASTER

Sequence

of

Events

MASTER OF CEREMONY FIRST LIEUTENANT MICHAEL TAMAN

ENTRANCE OF THE OFFICIAL PARTY

STAR SPANGLED BANNER & GUAM HYMN STAFF SERGEANT CUNNINGHAM

INVOCATION CHAPLAIN (LIEUTENANT COLONEL) CROSLEY

WELCOMING REMARKS LIEUTENANT COLONEL JESUS CRUZ Commander, 203RD Regiment RTI

KEYNOTE REMARKS LIEUTENANT COLONEL RICKEY M. FLORES Battalion Commander, 1-294th Infantry Regiment

INTRODUCTION OF OFFICER CANDIDATES AMANDA F. BLAS MARCEL D. HIGGS II ANICETO C. IGLOPAS JR. BRYANJEROME M. PABLO MARC VANDYKE C. SABANGAN MARK D. TAITANO

OATH OF OFFICE

PINNING OF RANK

PRESENTATION OF GOVERNOR'S CERTIFICATE OF CONGRATULATIONS

SILVER DOLLAR SALUTE

BENEDICTION CHAPLAIN (LIEUTENANT COLONEL) CROSLEY

ARMY SONG

AMANDA F. BLAS

Amanda F. Blas was born on January 3, 1992. She is married to Kevin Castro and is the daughter of Kristine S. Blas and the granddaughter of the late +Francisco and +Cecilia Blas.

She received her bachelor's degree in sociology and communication from the University of Portland and her master's degree in public administration from the University of Guam. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in public administration.

Over the last five years, she has served in various capacities throughout the Government of Guam including deputy director of communications for the governor and the executive director of the Commission on Decolonization. Today, she serves as the administrative supervisor for the University of Guam's Center for Global Learning and Engagement.

Her Army career started in 2011 when she enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist. She completed her Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and her Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where she was named her class's honor graduate. In 2020, she enlisted in the Guam Army National Guard. She was awarded the Leadership Award in the Guam Pre-OCS Program.

ANICETO C. IGLOPAS JR.

Aniceto C. Iglopas Jr. was born on May 4, 1993.

He is the son of Conchita C. Iglopas and Aniceto A. Iglopas.

He graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise science and health promotion in the health sciences from the University of Guam. In line with this, he also earned certifications in nutrition, personal training, and tactical strength and conditioning. He intends to pursue his master's degree in the near future.

He currently works at Synergy Wellness as a personal trainer. He also serves as a contact tracer for the University of Guam Global Learning and Engagement, where he supports the island's efforts in battling the Covid-19 Pandemic.

His military career started upon his graduation from John F. Kennedy High School when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2011. He served as an automotive mechanic in Okinawa, Japan.

In 2020, he enlisted into the Guam Army National Guard and immediately pursued Officer Candidate School. He looks forward to a long career of serving his island and nation.

MARCEL D. HIGGS II

Marcel D. Higgs II was born on July 11, 1993. He is the son of Marcel D. Higgs, a Navy veteran, and Josephine Payne.

He graduated from the University of Guam with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 2016. He graduated with his master's degree in Micronesian studies in 2020, which focused on language barriers to health care on Guam.

He is currently a middle school social studies teacher at Guahan Academy Charter School. He previously served as a research associate for the University of Guam primarily under the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center (PICASC) and the Micronesia Area Resource Center (MARC), where he assisted with research projects related to ninth grade lesson plans, kid summer programs, Guam's coastal erosion, and sustainability. He has also co-authored books and articles, focusing on topics such as economics, spirituality, and religion.

His Army career started in 2020 when he enlisted in the Guam Army National Guard as an Infantryman. He completed his Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

BRYANJEROME M. PABLO

BryanJerome Montenegro Pablo was born on July 4, 1989. He is married to Maria R. Howard and is the son of Francis A. Pablo and Margarita M. Pablo. His children are BryanJerome M. Pablo II and his eternal angel, +Amelia Parisha H. Pablo.

His Army career started in 2009 when he enlisted in the Guam Army National Guard. He completed his Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

He served as the senior information technology specialist for the HHC 1-294IN BN's S6 section during the 2013 - 2014 deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

In January 2016, he was laterally promoted to Corporal to become the B. Co 1-294IN BN Communications Chief. In June 2016, he completed the Basic Leaders Course (BLC) and was promoted to Sergeant. In May 2019, he transferred back to HHC 1-294IN BN as part of the 2019 - 2020 deployment to Sinai, Egypt in support of the Multinational Forward Observers (MFO).

In 2020, he began his journey as an officer candidate. He completed the OCS Program in 2021 and was awarded the Tactics Award.

MARC VANDYKE C. SABANGAN

Marc Vandyke Chan Sabangan was born on March 4, 1988. He is married to Ha'ani Rae and is the son of Valentin C. Sabangan and Honey Michele C. Abulencia. His children are Kamia Joy and Gabriel.

As a first generation graduate, he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology in May 2018 from the University of Guam. He currently works as a dental assistant and floor manager at Thomas K. Lee D.D.S. Dental Clinic. He is also an instructor for the American Heart Association, teaching the importance and technique of CPR. He is an aspiring dentist, in hopes to return to the island to give back more to his community.

He first enlisted with the U.S. Army Reserve in 2009 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He served as a plumber (12K) with the 797th Engineer Company (Vertical) until 2018.

In December 2020, he enlisted in the Guam Army National Guard as a Commissioned Officer Candidate (09S) to pursue his dream of becoming an officer. From his journey from being an enlisted soldier to an officer candidate, Sabangan strives to be an acceptable leader for his future soldiers, his fellow service members, the GUANG, his family and the island of Guam.

MARK D. TAITANO

Mark D. Taitano was born on February 21, 1994.

He is the son of Dwayne Taitano and Marijul Taitano. He is the oldest of three sons.

He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2012. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in international business from Arizona Global University, fueled by his passion for entrepreneurship.

His Army career began when he enlisted in the Guam Army National Guard in 2018 as a unit supply specialist (92Y). His inspiration to enlist is rooted in family, recognizing the family members who have served before him. He completed his Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia. Since enlisting, he has worked in the areas of supply and as part of the J6 for the Guam Army National Guard.

In November 2020, he started his journey as an officer candidate. Upon completion of the Guam Army National Guard Pre-Officer Candidate School program, he was recognized with the Spirit Award for his dedication and commitment to his fellow officer candidates.

Keynote

Speaker

LIEUTENANT COLONEL RICKEY M. FLORES LTC Rickey M. Flores is a native of Guam and was married to the late Vera-Marie Roberto Flores. They have two sons RickMichael and Sean-Matthew. LTC Flores is a retired Police Officer and a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy.

LTC Flores’ military career began in May 1997 and completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia as an 11B Infantryman. LTC Flores was accepted into the OCS program and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant assigned to Bravo Company, 1-294th Infantry Regiment. In December 2009, he was dually appointed as the Commander for Charlie Company, 1-294th Infantry Regiment and left CST in March 2010 and dual hatted as the Provost Marshal. In March 2013, he mobilized as a Company Commander with Charlie Company to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In September 2013, while in Afghanistan, he was reassigned as the Battalion Executive Officer, where he served until May 2016. In December 2016, he was later reassigned as the Commander of the 94th Civil Support Team-Weapons of Mass Destruction. In June 2020 he was reassigned as the Deputy G3. In October 2020, he was dual hatted as the Battalion Commander of the 1-294th Infantry Regiment. He is currently the Guam National Guard’s J/G3 with additional duty as the Battalion Commander of the 1294th Infantry Regiment.

LTC Flores’ military education includes, The Primary Leadership Development Course, the Basic NonCommissioned Officer Course, the National Guard Officer Candidate School (OCS), the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Officer Advance Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the United States Command and General Staff College Common Core, the Command and Staff Officer Advanced Operations Course and numerous Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear courses.

LTC Flores holds an Associates of Science degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters of Arts in Homeland Security and completed the Leadership in Homeland Security from Harvard Kennedy School.

LTC Flores’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2nd award), NATO ISAF Medal, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training (2nd award), and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal.

Silver

Dollar

Salute

The silver dollar salute represents a longstanding and revered 19th century tradition in which newly commissioned officers give a silver dollar to the recipient of their first salute of their career. The coin symbolically acknowledges the receipt of respect due to the new rank and position. To every new officer, the first salute holds a very special significance. It is a symbol of the gratitude for the knowledge and experience gained from our Non-Commissioned Officer Corps and the values and ethics taught by our NCO Corps in order to make them an officer in the profession of arms.

AMANDA F. BLAS

Chief Petty Officer Roque Santos US Navy, Retired

MARCEL D. HIGGS II Marcel D. Higgs US Navy, Retired

ANICETO C. IGLOPAS JR. Sergeant First Class Danica Blanca Carbon Iglopas US Army

BRYANJEROME M. PABLO Chief Warrant Officer (CW5) Francis A. Pablo, Guam Army National Guard, Retired

MARC VANDYKE C. SABANGAN Petty Officer First Class Roy Matthew Chan US Navy

MARK D. TAITANO Carlos Taitano US Army, Retired

The

Army

Song

March along, sing our song, with the Army of the free Count the brave, count the true, who have fought to victory We're the Army and proud of our name We're the Army and proudly proclaim

First to fight for the right, And to build the Nation’s might, And The Army Goes Rolling Along Proud of all we have done, Fighting till the battle’s won, And the Army Goes Rolling Along.

Then it's Hi! Hi! Hey! The Army's on its way.

Count off the cadence loud and strong (TWO! THREE!) For where e’er we go, You will always know That The Army Goes Rolling Along.