Bobcat GOLD Program

08/27/2025

The Bobcat GOLD Program is ready for a new academic year of training and preparing the next generation of Army leaders!

This semester marks the start of a new pathway for students. The Chaplain Candidate Program opens the door that leads directly to military ministry. Chaplain Prospects will learn and train alongside our regular Officer Candidates, receiving the same educational benefits while also obtaining unique preparation for ministry. This is where faith and leadership come together to serve both God and country.

Students who complete the Chaplain Candidate Program will be eligible for early admission to a consortium of graduate seminaries and will their commission as a second lieutenant upon graduation from College of the Ozarks. They will then continue their training and education through Army courses and seminary classes as a Chaplain Candidate.

11/15/2024

The Bobcat GOLD Program was honored to pay tribute to our Veterans through our annual sunrise ceremony at College of the Ozarks. This special event featured a flag raising, a powerful 75mm howitzer cannon fire, an address by Governor-elect Mike Kehoe, and a 21-gun salute. We are deeply grateful to the Veterans, staff, faculty, and students who joined us in this meaningful observance.

This year, the cannon was operated by Rebekah Dunnam and Ashley Exendine, both spouses of College of the Ozarks employees currently serving abroad with the Missouri Army National Guard. Thank you, Rebekah and Ashley, for your participation, and thank you, Governor-elect Kehoe, for your inspiring speech. Above all, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all Veterans for the sacrifices you have made to protect our freedom.

11/15/2024

Join us in celebrating 2LT Schieffer on her recent commissioning from Officer Candidate to 2nd Lieutenant! In May, 2LT Schieffer graduated and commissioned as a Signal Officer in the Missouri Army National Guard. She took her oath of office administered by Brigadier General Schreffler, Assistant Adjutant General of the MOARNG. Her ranks were affixed by her mother, Robin; her sister, Ruth; and her close friend, Lillian. For her first salute, she was honored by her brother, Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Schieffer.

Congratulations, 2LT Schieffer! Your dedication and commitment has made the Bobcat GOLD Program incredibly proud, and we’re excited to see the remarkable impact you’ll have on the Missouri Army National Guard.

03/29/2024

Bobcat GOLD Program officer candidates proudly honored the legacy of the bravest generation: our Vietnam veterans.

Welcome home.

03/01/2024

Leadership training is always underway at the Bobcat GOLD Program. Tactical training is a fast-paced, high-intensity opportunity for officer candidates to see their own growth and develop teamwork. Access to a construction site provided the program with a unique opportunity for testing these skills with military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) tactics. Of course, our civilian volunteer corps is always a valuable part of the team, contributing to the development of tomorrow's leaders!

02/09/2024

Tactics training is underway at the Bobcat GOLD Program! New officer candidates and civilian volunteers practice basic tactical concepts, which are then directed by experienced officer candidates in their junior year to accomplish missions and engage enemy forces (role-played by additional volunteers). We love partnering with civilian students on campus who get to have some fun and support the future leaders of the United States military and the Missouri National Guard.

12/02/2023

The Missouri National Guard is part of a long history and legacy dating back to 1636. Citizen Soldiers have been part of every major conflict in our nation's history. Bobcat GOLD Officer Candidates are the future of this ongoing legacy. During marksmanship training, the top marksmen of the program were awarded with the opportunity to fire a historical reproduction flintlock Kentucky rifle like those used by their predecessors to secure our nation's freedom.

11/10/2023

Thank you to all our veterans! We salute you!

Bobcat GOLD officer candidates, student members of the SALUTE Veterans Honor Society, and School of the Ozarks seniors in the Patriotic Education program conducted a sunrise ceremony to commemorate Veterans Day on November 10th. The ceremony was initiated with the raising of the flag, reveille, firing the 75mm cannon, and a flyover by a UH-1 "Huey" helicopter.

11/09/2023

We're having a blast this semester!

Senior Officer Candidate Esther Schieffer pulls the lanyard on the 75mm howitzer cannon at a rehearsal event for the Veterans Day sunrise ceremony to be held at 0700 on Friday, November 10th. The ceremony will take place at the main campus flagpole and is open to the public.

04/19/2023

02/17/2023

FIND YOUR WAY!

This week Bobcat GOLD Candidates and C of O students that are interested in Military Science conducted land navigation training on the 1,000-acre C of O campus!

They successfully demonstrated an ability to locate points utilizing a brilliant display of map reading and land navigation skills!