Annabelle Trutt

As she continues to pursue her degree, University of North Georgia (UNG) cadet Staff Sgt. Annabelle Trutt has taken leadership roles within and outside of the Corps of Cadets. She said being in ROTC has given her a better perspective on leading.

"Being a team leader in the corps is important because I am responsible for the lower ranks. I have to pass along information, holding people accountable and getting clarification when needed," Trutt said.  "As staff sergeant, I can give pointers to underclassmen who want to achieve higher ranks. So, while I do not have an acting position within my company specifically, I am available to give any information to those who do."

She also heads the philanthropy and service committee within her Christian sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega.

"We will raise money for research and to bring awareness to ovarian cancer, including a crunch-a-thon where participants raise money by doing crunches," Trutt said.

The role is new —to her and the sorority —but Trutt said her experience with other committees within Sigma Alpha Omega helped her understand what she needs to help lead others.

Leadership is something Trutt doesn't take lightly. She's a self-described firm leader who accomplishes things efficiently but also realizes the relational aspect.

"I make sure they know they can come to me if there's a problem. I care about them and want them to know that," Trutt said.

The biggest challenge Trutt faces in leadership is that everyone leads differently.

"People don't have the same leadership skills I do, so it can be challenging to communicate with someone who has an entirely different mindset. Trying to work together and help them understand how we all fit into our roles without conflict can be difficult," Trutt said.

Trutt said she has never been the loudest or the smartest person, so she has had to work harder to build her reputation.

"For me to gain traction in ROTC, I must do more than most other cadets. I was nervous when I first started in the corps, but becoming more and more confident was how I overcame my nerves," Trutt said. "I've learned self-control and how to be more confident in everything I do."

Trutt received the opportunity to attend the Army Cyber Institute for Research and New Technology at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, in summer 2022. The monthlong internship focused on quantum computing cycles, which is the ability to review and scour data at a high rate of speed.

The experience culminated with a presentation of "Everything Quantum," her research project, and the impact of Quantum to Col. Jeffrey Erickson, director of the Army Cyber Institute, and Erik Dean, chief of information and security operations at the Army Cyber Institute. The senior from Darien, Georgia, also had a meeting with Maj. Gen. William Hartman, commander of the Cyber National Mission Force.  

Trutt changed her major from mathematics to computer science after a class in 2021 and hasn't looked back.

"Math was my original major, but I had taken an introduction computer science class and enjoyed it. I switched to computer science," Trutt said. "This experience, and getting to see these amazing companies and what they're doing with innovative technologies, reaffirmed that I made the best decision to change majors. The internship has given me a lot of motivation to earn my degree."