WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Eight brigadier generals and brigadier general-selects, and six general officer-equivalent civilians were honored here during a ceremony commencing the 2012 Brigadier General Select Orientation Course Aug. 20.
BGSOC is a week-long course held in the National Capital Region to indoctrinate newly promoted and soon-to-be promoted brigadier generals and senior executives into their new rank and responsibilities.
This year’s BGSOC attendees include Brig. Gen. Burke Whitman, Brig. Gen. Gregg Olson, Brig. Gen. Paul Lebidine, Col. Matthew Glavy, Col. William Mullen III, Col. James O’Meara, Col. Edward Banta, Col. Eric Smith, Ariane Whittemore, Russell Howard, Dr. Todd Calhoun, James Simpson, Leila Gardner and William Dillon.
The course will feature appearances and speeches from the secretary of the navy, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, commandant of the Marine Corps, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, and deputy commandants.
Bonnie Amos, first lady of the Marine Corps, is also scheduled to host the spouses of the BGSOC attendees at the Home of the Commandants, to include a full tour of the 15,000-square-foot house, which is also the oldest continually occupied building in Washington.
The course is held every year in August.