Capt. Elijah Carroll, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management from the University of North Georgia (UNG) in 2008, wore a number of hats when he worked at his alma mater.
Carroll, who commissioned into the Georgia Army National Guard upon his graduation, served as the commander for the National Guard detachment on UNG’s Dahlonega Campus. He also was the National Guard liaison to UNG, Georgia Military Scholarship committee member, faculty adviser for the Corps of Cadets’ Hotel Company, and an assistant professor of military science.
One thing all of those roles had in common, however, was helping to mold future leaders — just as he was prepared for leadership during his four years at UNG.
"It kind of sounds cliché, but honestly it's the leadership training that sets UNG apart," Carroll said. "The Corps of Cadets does an excellent job of getting cadets out of their comfort zone and putting them in a position where you have to lead. From speaking in front of large audiences to making rapid decisions, the experience and knowledge that I gained here provided a good foundation for all of the military training that came later, such as the Basic Officer Leadership Course and Ranger School."
Growing up in Jackson, Georgia, a small town between Macon and Atlanta, Carroll knew he wanted to serve in the military and earn a college degree. When he was accepted at UNG and offered the UNG Georgia Military Scholarship, "It was a done deal at that point."
While a cadet at UNG, Carroll deployed to Iraq with his National Guard unit and received the Purple Heart for wounds to his leg. Dedicated to returning to the Corps of Cadets, Carroll completed rehabilitation for his injuries and returned to school to complete his degree and commission.
From platoon leader to company executive officer (XO) to battalion plans officer to troop commander, Carroll has steadily climbed the ranks in the National Guard, where he has served full time since October 2012. In May 2017, when he became eligible for a promotion to major, he was surprised with the opportunity to return to his alma mater.
"It was a complete surprise to me," Carroll said. "I'm absolutely pleased that I got to come back and definitely honored to be here."
While his role as commander of UNG's National Guard detachment meant he drilled the members of his unit, his interaction with cadets encompassed the larger Corps of Cadets as well.
"As instructors, we put them in a position to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible before they're out in the force," Carroll said. "This is their time to learn and learn from others and make mistakes. Once they get out to the force — and this holds for National Guard or active duty — the margin for mistakes isn't as forgiving as it is here. It’s giving them the opportunity to learn and make mistakes and give them constructive feedback, and that's very important.”
As a former member of UNG's Corps of Cadets, Carroll said he can relate to the issues and struggles that cadets face.
"I've been in their shoes and I can definitely relate to what they're going through, and it hasn't changed all that much since I graduated. It’s a challenge balancing Corps life with academics and saving time for friends and family," Carroll said. "I tell them that if I can do it, they can do it."
As an alumnus, Carroll is gratified to see his school push the bar higher.
"Some of our cadets absolutely impress me with their GPA and PT scores, and it's very encouraging to see the future generation of Army officers and how well they perform," Carroll said. "As an alumnus, it makes me proud of my alma mater."
