Tim M Bouma graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash., and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard.

During training, the candidate received "basic soldiering" instruction in leadership, professional ethics, soldier team development, combined arms tactics, weapons defense, squad drill, intelligence, land navigation, field training exercises, maintenance, communications, staff and general military subjects, discipline, and physical training and conditioning.

Officer candidates are tested and evaluated in leadership skills and team work abilities required of a commissioned officer. Students utilize acquired skills to function in "leader and follower" positions in squad and platoon-sized elements in a stressful and demanding field environment involving various tactical situations.

Bouma is assigned to the 168th Regional Training Center, Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colo. He has 14 years of military service.

He is the son of Don J. and Agnes M. Bouma of Northglenn.

In 2002, Bouma received a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.