RSU Leadership Program For Oklahoma National Guard Recruits Sees Record Growth

Rogers State University said a leadership program for Oklahoma National Guard recruits is seeing record growth.

It currently has the largest number of candidates in the program's history.

The ‘Guard Officer Leadership Development’ program provides academic leadership training so soldiers can learn what it takes to be a leader, motivate groups, and run missions as an officer of the U.S. Army.

In the GOLD program, officer candidates go through both normal college classes as well as physical training every Wednesday.

Once they complete 90 credit hours, they go off to Officer Candidate School for two months for even more training. Those officers then return to RSU to complete their degree.

Blake Novar has been in the program for three semesters now. He said he has seen growth already.

"I’ve noticed major changes. I’ve installed more discipline within my life. Every day I strive to become a better version of me than I was yesterday. And I’m just trying to balance everything with working full-time and going to school full-time and this program," Blake Novar, Officer Candidate said.

There are 24 officer candidates in the program this semester. RSU said that's the most in the program's history.

Recruits also receive waivers to completely cover their tuition, along with scholarships from the Oklahoma Military Academy to help with housing expenses.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the GOLD program at RSU.