Indiana National Guard officer candidates outmarch the Reaper

By Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 120th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. -The Grim Reaper was on the prowl here again looking for Indiana National Guard officer candidates who couldn't march 10 miles in under three hours, 30 minutes.
Once again he failed.

The six officer candidates finished with time to spare, the slowest finishing in just under three hours at 2:58, on a beautiful Saturday, October 4.

"The Reaper Road March is the signature kickoff event of the OCS training cycle," said Capt. Eric L. Creviston, the Officer Candidate School's senior instructor. Creviston lives in Muncie, Ind.

The Grim Reaper makes his presence know as he brings up the rear of the Reaper Ruck at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. His mission was to scoop up any of the candidates not meeting the time set for the 10-mile loaded march. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry,

The Reaper Road March, or Reaper Ruck as the march is also known, tests officer candidates' endurance. They must march 10 miles with a 35-pound rucksack and rifle. Chasing them, their family members and other military guests, was a cadre member dressed as the Grim Reaper, who walked the minimum pace needed to pass.

Passing the 10-mile march is a requirement to graduate the 18-month program.

"You take a requirement, build on it, and make it a great event," said Col. Paul Grube of the Halloween-inspired march. Grube is the 138th Regional Training Institute regimental commander.

"We do it differently," said Creviston. "It looks different here than anywhere else."

Indiana National Guard 2nd Lt. Katie Elkins of Bloomington, Ind., tapes her foot and ankle before a 10-mile road march, also known as the Reaper Ruck, at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. Elkins, with the Brigade Support Company, 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, finished the march in two hours, four minutes. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 120th Public Affairs Detachment

Differences in this OCS program itself are what attracted two Citizen-Soldiers. Officer Candidate Grover Smith is a chef for a national restaurant chain. Lately he's helped open restaurants throughout the Midwest. "There's not much time in the day; that's for sure," said Smith who has been working 12 to 16 hour days.

He's also been busy at home helping with his first child. "With the little one, I'm looking to settle down," said Smith who lives in Indianapolis. With his busy schedule at home and at work, it wasn't feasible for him to attend the eight-week school.

"With my schedule, trying to get restaurants open, it just worked out better," said Smith about attending the Indiana OCS program.

The other Soldier who chose the Guard route was Officer Candidate Gregory Snipes.

Indiana National Guard Office Candidate Gregory Snipes briefs his fellow candidates and other Indiana National Guard Soldiers before the 10-mile road march known as the Reaper Ruck at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. Snipes is part of Indiana Military Academy Officer Candidate School-59-09 that is scheduled to graduate in July. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 120th Public Affairs Detachment

"I wanted to become an officer, but I didn't have eight weeks to set aside," said Snipes, who was an active-duty enlisted Soldier and later a reserve Soldier before joining the Indiana National Guard. According to Snipes the Guard and its OCS is better suited for his career goals. Snipes is also an accounting technician at the Defense Accounting and Finance Service in Lawrence, Ind. Camaraderie was the reason 2nd Lt. Katie Elkins of Bloomington competed in this year's Reaper Ruck. "I'm doing it to support my alma mater," said Elkins who graduated the program in July. Last year she finished in two hours, 58 minutes. This year she finished in two hours, four minutes, and the first to finish overall. Elkins, with the Brigade Support Company, 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, is also training for air assault school where the minimum is three hours.

The first officer candidate to finish the 10-miler was Officer Candidate Dan Heiwig who finished in two hours, 29 minutes. "It's exhilarating," said Heiwig at the seven-mile mark. "My legs are numb; my feet are numb, at this point it's mind over matter."

Heiwig of Greenwood, Ind., was seeking more challenges when he joined the OCS program.

"In the military you get to seek more challenges, and OCS is one of those," he said. "OCS is the quintessential course."
The first family member to finish was Andrea McAfee Thomas, sister of Officer Candidate Derek McAfee of New Albany, Ind. "I kinda like this stuff," she said before the start of the march. "Call me crazy." Thomas is training for an October 18 marathon in Columbus, Ohio. She finished just seconds before her twin brother at two hours, 48 minutes.

Indiana National Guard Officer Candidate Dan Heiwig, left, of Greenwood, Ind., and 2nd Lt. Myrle Soloman, right, of Madison, Ind., march in the Reaper Ruck at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008. Heiwig was the first officer candidate to finish the 10-mile road march which tests the candidates' physical endurance. The candidates can invite family members and other military members to march with them in the Halloween-inspired march. Indiana National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 120th Public Affairs Detachment

"I'm smarter and cooler; right Derek?" she said as she teased her 11-minute younger brother. Their mother, Doni, also marched in the 10-miler.

"It gives us the opportunity to see what he's doing, to be a part of what he's experiencing," said Thomas. According to Doni, things like this bring the family close together.
Whether seeking camaraderie, challenges or a convenient way to become a second lieutenant, the Indiana Military Academy can do that as long as officer candidates finish before the Grim Reaper.

   _   _