Page 13 - FCA Diamond Point Sept 2022_Edits

AT THE FOREFRONT

Finance Corps Soldiers advance to Phase II (Cont’d)

“Today was a culmination that we call the Gate I Challenge,” said Capt. Jonathan Berg, Finance

Corps BOLC instructor. “This past four weeks have been physically and mentally taxing.”

The 13-week course is split into three phases to include the Gate 1 Challenge, Technical and the
final “Road to War” where the officer simulates deploying. Recent changes to the program are
being fielded during the class and may determine the future training of Finance Corps officers.

One of the largest changes comes with their living arrangements. Once housed in hotels, the
officers were moved into barracks to reduce separation from one another to help build reliance on
one another.

“These past four weeks in the field have helped us build good cohesion and bonding between
battle buddies and squads,” said 2nd Lt. Jesus Burgos, BOLOC student. “We can’t wait to get our
technical training in the remaining weeks we are here.”

After the welcoming ceremony, the students spent the rest of the day recovering equipment from
their field site before enjoying a weekend pass. The following week will begin an intensive
technical phase of learning finance basics and commercial application before tackling the final
phase of training combining all their learned skills and simulating a deployment to a combat
environment.

“My wife and kid are waiting for me this weekend,” Burgos said. “Hopefully we will have a really
good and relaxing time. They are the fuel for my heart and mind so I can stay focused and on track
during this process.”

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