On Sept. 30, the University of North Georgia (UNG) Boar's Head Brigade held the 2018 Distinguished Military Students (DMS) Review, which is conducted annually to honor senior ROTC cadets who have excelled academically and as leaders.

"UNG and the U.S. Army ROTC program are honored to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the 2018 DMS recipients," said Col. Joshua D. Wright, the professor of military science at UNG. "All have worked extremely diligently to earn this very special recognition. We could not be more proud of each and every one of them."

To be selected, a cadet must be in the upper half of the academic class, the upper third of the ROTC class, and the upper third of UNG's Order of Merit List, established by the professor of military science. Additionally, cadets are chosen on the basis of interest and aptitude for military service and outstanding qualities of leadership and high moral character as demonstrated by participation and achievement in campus, civic and military activities.

This year's DMS honorees were: Connor Bane, Lauren Bell, Christopher Bissett, Hunter Blocher, Jasper Bridgeman Jr., Henry Crawford, Terry Ellis, Tyler Farney, Matthew Ilao, Evan Myers, Nolan Olson, Dylan Richards, Robert Rogers, Jacob Starrett, Charlotte Walton, Yusemi Wheeler, and Matthew Williams.

Bridgeman, Crawford and Wheeler are studying abroad and were not present at the ceremony.

Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, adjutant general of the Georgia Department of Defense, was the guest speaker for the DMS Review. Jarrard is a 1988 graduate of UNG and served on active duty for more than 20 years. Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Jarrard to his current role in 2014.

The event moved indoors to the Convocation Center due to rainy weather.

The cadets and their families were honored Sept. 29 during the annual DMS Banquet. The DMS Review and Banquet were part of the third annual Boar's Head-Corps Alumni Weekend, which brings together current and former cadets.

Sponsored by the North Georgia Corps of Cadets Association (NGCCA), the weekend included networking and mentoring sessions by alumni in specific career areas. Sessions were designed to give future graduates additional knowledge about the pathways for their chosen pursuits.

The NGCCA presented a memorialized saber called "Keeper of the Corps" to Farney, the current Boar's Head Brigade commander, during the awards presentation at the DMS Review.

"This signifies the strong bond between former and current members of the Boar's Head Brigade and indicates the strongest support and best wishes to the Brigade commander and his cadre for a successful year leading the Corps of Cadets," said Alan Ware '77, chairman of NGCCA.

Retired U.S. Army Maj. Jeff Struecker spoke Sept. 28 at the Convocation Center to start the weekend. Struecker was part of the Army's Elite 75th Ranger Regiment that fought in the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, which inspired the movie "Black Hawk Down."

Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, adjutant general of the Georgia Department of Defense, was the guest speaker for the DMS Review.