Company Commander O.C. Rebecca Davis says, "We cannot do this by ourselves, and so that's very apparent in our company, and we always motivate each other. We're definitely working together each day. Each obstacle we face, we see that we have to push each other forward, so the cohesion is definitely there."

These soldiers are in their final weeks of Officer Candidate School.  For the past six weeks they've trained together, sweat together, and helped each other through the rigorous programs the Army National Guard has set forth for them to become officers and lead future troops in today's military.  Sunday they face a new set of challenges this time in the water.

Platoon trainer Cpt. Cody Spann says, "They have the 15 meter swim, they have a 3 meter drop off the diving board and then they also have a down-gear exercise where they sink to the bottom of the pool, remove all their gear and then come back up to the top."

And it seems there are some differing opinions on which event is the toughest on these soldiers.

Cpt. Spann says, "The down-gear one. It's extremely hard, actually once you're underwater, to remove all your year and then come back up to the surface by keeping your composure."

Officer candidate Lucius Mims says, "I would say the 15 meter swim is tough, because you have so much weight and you have to try to keep your weapon above water, that's the toughest thing of all."

Soldiers taking part in Sunday's exercise say it's not entirely about the challenges thrown at them but more importantly the team work and leadership skills that help them push through the program.

Cpt. Spann says, "By doing these three exercises, it gives them the confidence to be able to lead their soldiers in a situation that's stressful.Candidate Mims says, "We know nobody's going to drown today, so everyone's positive. It's a great environment, good atmosphere to do this type of drill."

Once these candidates make their way through O-C-S they'll graduate at the end of the month then go back to their home states where they'll be officially commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the Army National Guard.

Brendyn Medina