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Master Sgt. Francis Sarnecki shares a laugh during remarks from Lt. Col. Allison Jacobs.

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Master Sgt. Francis Sarnecki addresses family, friends, and fellow Soldiers during his retirement ceremony at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield, June 6.

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Newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Thomas Luca II thanks family, friends, and fellow Soldiers for their support, leadership, and mentorship throughout his military service during a commissioning ceremony May 17 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield.

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Jolene, Audriana and Thomas Luca III, the wife and children of newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Thomas Luca II, pin on his new rank during a commissioning ceremony May 17 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, in Springfield. Luca graduated from the Illinois Army National Guard Officer Candidate School in August and commissioned into the Adjutant General Corps.

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Lt. Col. Lance Frail, Commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, administers the oath of office to newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Thomas Luca II during a commissioning ceremony May 17 at the Illinois Military Academy, Camp Lincoln, Springfield.

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Officer Candidate John Winkler applauds fellow officer candidates during a stop at Fort Donelson National Battlefield as part of the Illinois Army National Guard OCS staff ride, which connects historical military leadership with modern officer development.

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Standing near the banks of the Cumberland River, Leon-Cervantes and fellow candidates examined the decisions of Union and Confederate commanders during the 1862 Civil War battle.

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Officer Candidate Parker Meads carries the company guidon as Illinois Army National Guard Officer Candidate School students conduct a staff ride at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Tennessee, May 17, 2025.

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Officer Candidate Parker Meads holds the company guidon as cadre and classmates gather to begin the day’s staff ride activities.

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Officer Candidates from OCS Class 70-25 with the Illinois Army National Guard pose for a group photo overlooking the Cumberland River at Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Dover, Tennessee, May 16, 2025.

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Officer candidates from OCS Class 70-25 listen to remarks at Fort Donelson National Battlefield

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Illinois Army National Guard Col. Jorge M. Fonseca has been selected as the next Illinois National Guard Director of the Joint Staff and will be promoted to brigadier general.

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Anastasia Asong with her niece, 2nd Lt. Juliana Nkafu, and Euchinie Amindeh pose for a photo after her pinning.

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Anastasia Asong with her niece, 2nd Lt. Juliana Nkafu, and Euchinie Amindeh pose for a photo after her pinning.

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2nd Lt. Juliana Nkafu speaks to a group of officer candidates as her nephew, 13-month-old James Akemanji Nkengayi, also takes the stage at her commissioning ceremony.

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2nd Lt. Juliana Nkafu with her family and friends after her commissioning ceremony.

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2nd Lt. Juliana Nkafu speaks to a group of officer candidates as her nephew, 13-month-old James Akemanji Nkengayi, also takes the stage at her commissioning ceremony.

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Juliana Nkafu takes the Oath of Office and commissions as a Illinois Army National Guard and U.S. Army second lieutenant during her April 26 commissioning ceremony.

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2nd Lt. Juliana Nkafu returns the salute of Sgt. 1st Class Paul Golladay as part of her commissioning ceremony.

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Anastasia Asong pins second lieutenant rank on her niece, Juliana Nkafu, as Euchinie Amindeh looks on.

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