Overseas experience is 'life-changing' for cadet
Eleven University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets spent the summer abroad in U.S. ally nations experiencing culture and military structure.
Cadet Emily Mendez, who once aspired to be a veterinarian, spent the semester at Colegio Militar de la Nación in Argentina. Being fluent in Spanish and having a deep desire to travel, the Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident jumped at the chance. While in Argentina, she was granted permission to participate in field training with the Armor Branch. The decision was "life-changing" for Mendez, who left the U.S. believing she wanted to branch infantry.
"Honestly, that field training just changed my mind. I fell in love with being in a tank," she said. "I was able to sit in the driver's seat and see how it works. It was really amazing."
Mendez, a junior pursuing a degree in finance, serves in the Georgia Army National Guard detachment at UNG.
She said she feels a sense of pride when younger girls see her in her uniform and smile.
Cadet Aaron Anderson dreamt of being a soldier and serving his country since he was a child. Today, he is in the Georgia Army National Guard and spent his summer in the Republic of Georgia as an intern with fellow cadet Greg Fuentes.
The pair participated in exercises with the Georgian army and spent time at the U.S. Embassy with Maj. Alec Harrison '09, the bilateral affairs officer for the Georgia Army National Guard in Tbilisi, Georgia.
"My favorite part was the mountain course," Anderson said. "The mountains were absolutely gorgeous. But the training we did and the people that we met up there — the Georgian sergeants — were great instructors and super helpful. They're just great guys overall."
Anderson added that at the completion of the course, he received a Sakshir mountain course award and described it as "really cool."
The Dawsonville, Georgia, native is a sophomore pursuing a degree in management.
In addition to Anderson, Fuentes and Mendez, several other cadets had internships overseas: Melani Sotelo-Leon and Sylas Sisson (George C. Marshall Center in Germany); Justice McGinnis and Noah Mulvihill (National Defense Academy of Latvia); and, Ethan Ellis and Chris Heckman (Romanian Naval Academy).
Marco Gomez and Vincent Pasqualetti completed summer training at the Hellenic Military Academy in Greece.
"Cadets selected to participate in our military exchanges and internships gain a unique perspective into the society, culture and military structure of our partners and allies. Global Military Programs provide cadets the opportunity to have unique experiences in national security and defense- in an international environment," Wesley M. Pirkle '93, director of Global Military Programs, said.
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