Cadets prepare to commission as officers

Twenty-seven University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets will be commissioned collectively in a 5 p.m. Dec. 15 ceremony in the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Four additional cadets, who are graduating on the National Service Leadership Track, will also be honored at the ceremony.

The commissioning cadets will become second lieutenants in the Army, Georgia Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Most of those commissioning in the National Guard are Georgia Military Service Scholarship recipients who served in the Guard throughout their time as UNG students.

"Each of the officers have earned their commission through a challenging military science academic course load, rigorous field training and extensive leadership development in both the classroom and demanding positions throughout the Corps of Cadets," Col. Bryan Kirk, professor of military science, said. "They have demonstrated a willingness and capability to serve as an officer, and the UNG leadership foundry has developed the newest leaders of character for our state and nation."

Safyrah Jean earned a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature and a minor in entrepreneurship. The Ball Ground, Georgia, resident was born in Haiti and moved to the Dominican Republic after an earthquake in 2010 before later moving to the U.S.

Jean is commissioning in the Transportation Corps of the Army National Guard. She works as a bilingual shelter advocate at the Cherokee Family Violence Center and hopes to continue working in that field after graduation.

"I want to help people see they can move forward no matter what they've been through," Jean said.

Twin sisters Bellana and Laurana Bradley began their Corps of Cadets journey at Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week in January 2020. Bellana Bradley will serve in the Medical Service Corps of the Army National Guard after earning a degree in biology, and Laurana Bradley will serve in the Military Police branch of the Guard after earning a degree in criminal justice with a forensics concentration.

Bellana Bradley is the Leadership Development Program tactical medical officer this fall and will work in medical administration in her hometown of Powder Springs, Georgia. She marvels at how much she has grown since FROG Week. She encourages other students to take time to make friends and get involved on campus.

"I've been able to become so much more confident and have been able to help and lead so many more people than I thought I would be able to," she said.

Laurana Bradley, who interned with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office this semester, said the encouragement of family and friends helped her reach this point.

"Keep your head up and keep pushing," she said. "Even if you fail, get back up again. Learn from those failures."

Kevin Oliveros Aguilar has earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in English, criminal justice and military leadership. The Cleveland, Georgia, resident will commission as a second lieutenant in the Infantry branch of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Oliveros Aguilar served as a cadet first sergeant and resident assistant in spring 2023 and is a cadet sergeant major this fall. He also is commander of the Blue Ridge Rifles specialty unit and previously served as drill master for the group. Oliveros Aguilar appreciated the chance to learn how to lead by helping others with their problems.

He is grateful for his growth at UNG and encourages others to see what the university and the Corps of Cadets are all about.

"This is where your dreams begin. This is home. Be in the moment and expand your connections," Oliveros Aguilar said. "Take that leap of faith. It's going to be the best thing you do."

Austin Seidel, a Loganville, Georgia, resident earned a degree in cybersecurity with a minor in Arabic. He will serve in the highly competitive Army Cyber branch of the National Guard.

Seidel served as a tactical officer for a year and a half for UNG's Leadership Development Program that prepares cadets for Advanced Camp. He is excited about the ability to serve his state and nation.

"I have a moral responsibility to protect information that if released could destroy people's lives," he said.