YOUR Board of Directors
The United States Army
Officer Candidate Schools
Alumni Association
COL (Ret) Frank Harman,
BIOCC OCS 4-79
President and CEO
OCS Board of Directors
The United States Army Officer Candidate Schools Alumni Association (TUSAOCSAA) is the Alumni Association for the United States Army Officer Candidate School (OCS). The mission of the Association is to preserve the history of OCS and honor the legacy of its graduates.
COL (Ret.) Frank L. Harman III
President & Chief Executive Officer
COL Harman entered the Army in 1978 and served 16 months on active duty as an enlisted soldier with a tour in the Panama Canal Zone. He was commissioned a United States Army Infantry Officer upon graduation from the Officers Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia in 1979.
Lieutenant Abigail Cottrell
Treasurer
As an advocate committed to serving our nation's heroes, Lieutenant Abigail L. Cottrell is honored to be a Board Member and Treasurer for The United States Army Officer Candidate School Alumni Association. Her journey from enlisted soldier to commissioned officer, coupled with diverse experiences in military and civilian spheres, equipped her with a unique blend of skills and insights essential for effective financial stewardship. With dedication and a passion for the association’s cause, she will ensure the fiscal integrity and success of the organization's mission.
Colonel Carmelia Scott-Skillern
Secretary
Colonel Carmelia Scott-Skillern is Chief of Staff of the Army Senior Fellow in the New America’s International Security Program. Colonel Scott-Skillern was commissioned as a Quartermaster Officer through Officer Candidate School and is a career Army Logistician with extensive logistics and
management experience at all levels within the Global Supply Chain and Logistics (GSCL) management industry.
COL (Ret.) John Ionoff, Jr.
President Emeritus and Director
Colonel John Ionoff joined the US Army, 1 September, 1955. After serving as an infantryman in the 1stCavalry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Armored Div. and 172nd Infantry Brigade, (Sep) and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, he was selected to attend Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, graduating 6 November, 1963.
Colonel, USA (Retired) Sam Boone
Chaplain
Chaplain (Colonel, USA Retired) Sam Boone served in the Army for over 38 years as an enlisted Soldier, infantry officer, AH-1G cobra pilot, and chaplain. His final assignment was commandant of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson, S.C. He is a graduate of OCS Class 2-74.
Colonel John R. O’Shea, USA (Ret)
Director
John O’Shea recently retired from federal civil service as Chief Congressional Actions and Chief Air Operations for the Secretary of the Air Force. In these positions he led a team which synchronized and integrated the efforts of the Air Force staff in preparing the leadership for testimony to the Congressional oversight committees and continuous engagement with the Legislative Branch.
Colonel (Retired) Robert Choppa
Director
Colonel (Retired) Robert Choppa was born in 1961 and grew up in Glens Falls, New York. After college, he enlisted in the Army with his twin brother and commissioned through the US Army Officer Candidate School as an Infantry Officer.
Major Chris Miller
Director
Major Christopher Miller (inactive) is a 1971 graduate of the State University of NY, University Center at Albany. He entered the Army in February 1972 completing Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, SC, then attending the 26 Week Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA from April-October 1972, being commissioned both Infantry and MI. After Airborne School he completed the Combat Intelligence Staff Officer Basic course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona in January 1973.
Joshua Buchanan
Director
Josh has worked for nearly 15 years with Reynolds Consumer Products, manufacturing world-class consumer goods under the brands of Hefty®, Reynolds Wrap®, Reynolds Kitchens®, and store brand labels. As Senior Director of Category Management, he leads the company’s category management and insights team in building profitable long-term relationships with retailer partners across the USA.
