The latest class of the Coast Guard Academy is set to graduate on May 22, with Vice President Joe Biden as commencement speaker. But the academy has already had one graduation this year.
This video shows the honors ceremony that opens the graduation of the Officer Candidate School. Taking place in front of Chase Hall, it includes music from the Coast Guard Band, a "trooping the line" inspection, and a gun salute. Lt. James Bendle, assistant school chief of the Officer Candidate School, oversees the ceremony and welcomes attendees to the graduation in Leamy Hall.
According to the Coast Guard Academy website, the Officer Candidate School is a 17-week course to prepare students to be officers in the service. Graduates will receive the rank of ensign and must serve three years in the Coast Guard, whether on a ship, in flight training, at a staff job, or at an onshore billet. Recently, the academy combined OCS training with officer training for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The academy has also posted a series of photos of the graduation ceremonies, which you can view at this site.
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