Col. Joshua D. Wright
Wright takes over as professor of military science Gen. Mark A. Milley, the 39th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, left, spoke with UNG President Bonita Jacobs and praised the university’s history of producing leaders.
Army Chief of Staff visits UNG and shares lessons of leadership Gen. Mark A. Milley, the 39th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, visited UNG’s Dahlonega Campus on Aug. 28 to meet with President Bonita Jacobs and speak to members of the Corps of Cadets. While his speech began with praise and appreciation for UNG, he also discussed the future of the U.S. Army mission and readiness and shared lessons about leadership with the 764 members of the Corps of Cadets in attendance. “You’re going to have to have unbelievable personal integrity. You’re going to have to have spines of titanium steel in order to deal with that environment,” Milley said. “Integrity is going to matter. Your candor, your compassion, your love of your soldiers, your loyalty, your sense of selfless service – all of that will matter as well, but integrity is what will make or break leaders in those type of intense, pressurized environments.”
12
Cadet Col. Tyler Farney of Phoenix, Arizona, commander of UNG’s Boar’s Head Brigade, was one of a dozen cadets selected to have lunch with the chief of staff. “As a cadet who’s not even in the military yet, to have that opportunity and be able to share that knowledge with our fellow cadets is going to put us above and beyond most cadets,” Farney said. “I’m very happy that we were afforded the opportunity – just as a university – for him to visit.”
Gen. Milley spoke with and greeted the entire Corps of Cadets during his Aug. 28 visit to the Dahlonega Campus.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA MAGAZINE
|
FALL/WINTER 2018
Col. Joshua D. Wright has been around the world with the U.S. Army, serving in places such as Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bosnia, and Haiti. His latest assignment brings him to UNG as the new professor of military science. With more than two decades of Army service, Wright is focused on developing leaders at UNG. A regular Army officer, he has led Army formations from platoon through brigade command. He said helping cadets have the right idea of leadership is crucial in preparing them for service once they graduate. Wright holds a Master of Science degree in management leadership and organizational effectiveness from Troy University, a Master of Science degree in strategic studies from the Air War College and a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Eastern Illinois University. His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign and Afghanistan Campaign Medals and MFO Medals, Presidential Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citations, Superior Unit Awards, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist and Air Assault Badges.
