About OCS
Mission, History, and Management
Our Mission
To recognize and honor high school enlistees and their commitment to military service and to provide parents/guardians of enlistees with community support as their son or daughter transition into military service.
About OCS
Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national, non-profit organization helping communities recognize, honor and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation.
OCS was founded in 2009 by educator and former U.S. Army officer, Dr. Kenneth Hartman, to provide enlistees and their parents with guidance, information, resources and community support from like-minded enlistees and parents as their son or daughter transition into military service.
Our Community Salutes includes community leaders, government officials, educators, businessmen, and veterans who feel strongly in the importance of community support and recognition of the patriotic young adults who will enlist in the military after graduation.
Our Community Salutes was founded in 2009 with our inaugural OCS of South Jersey community.
OCS is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a GuideStar Bronze Seal of Transparency.
How OCS Began
Founder Ken Hartman on how the idea for Our Community Salutes came about, and why the impact of OCS has been so meaningful for students, parents, and their community.
Colin Powell Award
The Colin Powell Award, named after General Colin Powell, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a public service award that is presented to high school counselors in recognition of providing guidance, counseling and mentoring for students as they assess their accomplishments, talents, and interests as they move forward in their lives. The award is provided to one guidance counselor in each local organization, and represents all counselors within the school’s program whose service, compassion, and commitment serve as an example for all of us.
2021 Colin Powell Award Recipients
Mrs. Brandi Beavers, Tucker High School, OCS of Atlanta
Mr. Tom Clady, Shoemaker High School, OCS of Central Texas
Mr. Robert Crafton, Killeen High School, OCS of Central Texas
Ms. Anselma Elliot, St. Croix Central High School, OCS of VI
Ms. Maki Faria, Assabet Valley Technical High School, OCS of Northeast MA
Mr. Paul G. Griffith, Jr., Hart County High School, OCS of Atlanta
Mrs. Gladys Harper, Pathways High School in Killeen, OCS of Central Texas
Mr. Enrique Herrera, Copperas Cove High School, OCS of Central Texas
Mrs. Karren Kelly, USN (Ret) Eagles Landing High School, OCS of Atlanta
Dr. Jill Olson, Union County High School, OCS of Atlanta
Mrs. Holly J. Passmore, West Laurens High School, OCS of Atlanta
Mrs. Emma Shelnutt, East Coweta High School, OCS of Atlanta
Management
Dr. Ken Hartman, Founder and President of Our Community Salutes
Dr. Ken Hartman is an e-learning authority, former university professor, administrator, consultant at several leading universities, and the founder of Our Community Salutes.
Dr. Hartman served as president of Drexel University Online, and has served on several boards, including the Board of Education of the Cherry Hill Public Schools (NJ) and the Executive Board of the Online Learning Consortium. He is the author of numerous trade and scholarly publications related to educational technology, a presenter at industry conferences, a syndicated newspaper columnist, television talk show host, and was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.
Dr. Hartman holds degrees from The State University of New York at Geneseo, Michigan State University, and a Ph.D from the University of Pennsylvania.
National Advisory Council
Army
Jeffrey Snow
Major General, USA, Retired
Peter Lennon
Major General, USA, Retired
John Wayne Troxell
Command Sergeant Major, USA, Retired
Jack L. Tilley
Sergeant Major of the Army, USA, Retired
Michelle Jones
Sergeant Major, USA, Retired
National Guard
Victor Perez
Brigadier General, USA, Retired
Navy
Kirk Foster
Rear Admiral, USN, Retired
James L. Herdt
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, USN, Retired
Marine Corps
Patrick Hermesmann
Major General, USMC, Retired
Alford L. McMichael
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, USMC, Retired
Anthony Spadaro
Sergeant Major, USMC, Retired
Air Force
Frederick Finch
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, USAF, Retired
Cherly Adams, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF, Retired
Coast Guard
Vince Patton
Master Chief Petty Officer, USCG, Retired
Awards
Outstanding Civilian Service Medal
Dr. Ken Hartman receives award from the U.S. Army Recruiting Command on behalf of OCS.
15 May 2015
“For your outstanding and unwavering support of our service members, their families, and recent enlistees from 2009 to present. Your successful collaboration of the”Our Community Salutes” program in partnership with our military liaisons, provided quality community support to the military’s newest enlistees. Your unmatched patriotism embodies the core values of a patriot in a true humanitarian, which reflects great credit upon yourself, the United States Army Recruiting Command, and the United States Army.”
Allen W. Batschelet, Major General, USA, Commanding
Additional Awards Include:
2020 Jewish War Veterans of New Jersey, “2020 Group of the Year Award”
2019 Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award, U.S. Dept. of Defense
2018 New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for Public Service
2017 George Washington Medal (Freedoms Foundation)
2017 Humility and Honor Award (Bunker Labs)
2016 Outstanding Civilian Service, Association of the United States Army
