Record 31 cadets honored as Distinguished Military Students

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Boar's Head Brigade honored a record 31 members of the Corps of Cadets at the 2019 Distinguished Military Students (DMS) Review held Sept. 29, breaking the previous mark of 25 during the 2016-17 school year. The annual review recognizes senior ROTC cadets who have excelled academically and as leaders.

Nina Carter, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in kinesiology, was one of the 31. She said she was grateful to receive the honor.

"Looking at my peers in the same group, it makes me feel really good about what the school's doing," Carter said. "Not only are these good cadets, they're good people. They do the right things."

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.

"We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our cadets and especially our DMS-designated cadets," said Col. Joshua D. Wright, professor of military science. "We challenged the Corps to excel in their academics, physical fitness, and military and leadership training, and the Corps rose to the challenge."

This year's DMS honorees were: John Henry Belser, Khalil Benjamin Watkins, Brandon Brooks, Eric Carbone, Nina Carter, Alexander Chastain, Alejandro Davila, Jacob Drobney, Isaiah Fleck, Holden Gossett, Nathan Hicks, Jarrett Hutchens, Cody Kendrix, Marc Lacroix, Dylan Lanting, Gabriel Liranzo, Slade McMichael, Benjamin Middleton, Jacob Mizell, Tristan Moran, Bryan Morton, Joshua Nixon, William Norman, John Perry, Megan Reis, William Scaggs, Jericho Searcy, Brandon Thurmond, Micaela Tierce, James Warren, and Parrish West.

Kendrix, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in kinesiology, was grateful to see his hard work pay off.

"It makes you feel more confident about yourself," Kendrix said. "We go through a lot trying to better ourselves and those around us."

Retired Col. Joseph Matthews, UNG's commandant of cadets, was the keynote speaker for the DMS Review.

The cadets and their families were honored Sept. 28 during the annual DMS Banquet. The DMS Review and Banquet were part of the fourth annual Boar's Head Brigade-Corps Alumni Weekend, which brought together current and former cadets.

Sponsored by the North Georgia Corps of Cadets Association, 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.

Army Col. Mark Mitchell spoke Sept. 27 at the Convocation Center to start the weekend. Mitchell is principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict.