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| Members of the Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Officer Training Academy (COTA), Division of
Commissioned Corps Training and Career Development, Office of Commissioned Corps Operations (OCCO),
conducted a 5-day Basic Officer Training Course (BOTC), 9-13 May 2005, in the Tower Building, 1101 Wootton
Parkway, Rockville, MD. This was the first BOTC conducted at the new headquarters building. The class
consisted of 48 officers, most in the beginning of their careers. Twelve officers traveled from 8 States
and serve in 9 Operating Divisions/Staff Divisions/non-Department of Health and Human Services organizations. |
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The class experienced the following: classroom-style presentations; uniform inspections; trips to the uniform
shop of the Naval Exchange in Bethesda, MD; Q&A sessions; ID card generation; individual and group picture
taking; a pizza party lunch; and evening experiences in Rockville, Bethesda, and Washington, D.C.; and a
closing ceremony on Friday, 13 May. |
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The closing ceremony began sharply at 2 p.m. with a class Processional, Presentation of Colors by the class
honor guard, and the National Anthem. ‘Welcome and Opening Remarks’ were presented by CDR Dana Taylor;
‘Class Reflections’ by the class representative, LCDR Janice E. Davis-Hochberg; ‘VIP Introductions’ were
presented by CAPT Lee Shackelford; and ‘The Charge’ by RADM Robert Williams of the Office of the Surgeon
General. CAPT Denise Canton, Director, OCCO, presented the ‘Closing Remarks.’ |
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The graduation procession was conducted with the presentation of BOTC Certificates and COTA medallions by
RADM Williams and CAPT Canton with colleagues, family, and friends in attendance. The class was most energetic,
positive, and ready to serve as officers in the PHS Commissioned Corps. A reception for the officers was held
after the proceedings, and LCDR Davis-Hochberg proudly made the first cut into the traditional ceremonial
cake trimmed with the PHS Commissioned Corps colors and emblem. |
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