Porterville woman marches through Officer's School

A Porterville resident has graduated from Officer’s Candidate School in Fort Benning, in Columbus, Georgia.
Second Lt. Analisa Roman, from B Company, 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry with the United States Army, graduated from the OCS class on March 18.

A 2003 graduate of Porterville High School, 2005 graduate of Porterville College and a University of California Santa Barbara graduate of 2008, Roman said her involvement in school bands and collegiate and community sports were key factors in her decision to join the military.

“I feel that everything I did during my life prepared me to be where I am today,” Roman said.

Her parents, Rudy and Maria Roman of Porterville, said that being in the Burton Middle School Band and the Porterville Panther Band taught her a lot about discipline and endurance.

“Band had a lot to do with it, but honestly, my parents had a lot more to do with it. They always taught me to do what’s right — key skills in discipline,” Roman said.

Roman has also been an athlete since age 5 — playing soccer, softball, tennis and Frisbee on city leagues, American Youth Soccer Organization, and on school teams — at Burton, Porterville High and at UC Santa Barbara — playing tennis one year, and varsity softball and soccer all four years of high school.

“She was very patriotic, even as a child,” said her mother, Maria Roman. “She always went to the parades and participated in the Veterans Day and other patriotic activities.”

But joining the Army was something she wanted to do since high school, Maria Roman said.

“Her dad suggested she finish her education — to give her more time to mature,” said Maria Roman. “But she always knew she wanted to serve her country. She knew what she wanted to do.”

Roman, who graduated from UCSB with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, agreed.

“Honestly, [joining the Army] was the best decision I have ever made. I love it,” Analisa Roman said. “It teaches you a lot about yourself and who you are and challenges you,” Analisa Roman said.

The 12-week Officer’s Candidate School for Class 303-10 began in December.

During that time, the candidates were presented with challenges and opportunities for personal growth as well as received classroom instruction. They were tested on military tactics and operations, training management, operations orders and military history. Field work included land navigation, collective battle tasks and leadership testing. They also competed in the Combat Water Survival Test, which consisted of three stages — a 15-meter swim with rifle, a blindfolded jump off a three-meter diving board with rifle, and a tactical vest and weapon ditch challenge — all performed in full action combat uniform.

“The three-meter drop was by far the scariest part of the CWST,” Analisa Roman said. “You can’t see anything and have to jump 10-feet down to the water. You just don’t know when it’s going to hit.”

Analisa Roman said she was fortunate to have a good friend with her throughout the experience — Second Lieutenant Janine Mahan of Miami, Fl.

The two women met and became friends in July of 2009 when they were both in boot camp at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. Following graduation, they roomed together from October to December.

Mahan said she admired Roman’s confidence and described her friend as hardworking, competitive, and selfless.

“She always tried to do her best and is a team player but she always puts others first. She’s very independent and very confident. She is always able to do things alone and is not afraid to ask questions,” Mahan said. “She’s also very friendly and approachable.”

Officers tend to be viewed as elitists, Mahan said.

“She sets the standards differently. She has demonstrated that not all officers are stuck up. They can still be professional and approachable,” Mahan said. “She sets the bar without being overbearing.”

Roman and Mahan have both been accepted into the U.S. Army’s Intelligence Division in Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.