CORPS OF CADETS

Merrill’s Marauders share stories with cadets

About 60 cadets had a chance to ask questions and learn from the experiences of three World War II veterans during a March 4 breakfast. The veterans were part of the group that inspired the documentary “They Volunteered for This: Merrill’s Marauders,” a film which was screened on March 3 at UNG and has since aired on PBS.

The Marauders who took questions from cadets were current oldest Army Ranger Gabriel Kinney, 101, from Alabama; Gilbert Howland, 98, a triple Combat Infantryman Badge recipient from New Jersey; and Bob Passanisi, 97, from New York.

“It was absolutely sacred. As time passes, there are only so many opportunities to learn from soldiers who are in the generations before us,” Cadet Col. Ryan Jones, a senior from Richmond, Virginia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies, said. Jones is the Corps of Cadets brigade commander. Passanisi and Howland passed away in April and May, respectively.

UNG cadets pose for a photo with Merrill’s Marauder Gabriel Kinney at a breakfast where Kinney and two other Marauders shared their stories from World War II.

Ly selected for Rangel Summer Program

Cadet Phillip Ly, of Forest Park, Georgia, was selected as a scholar for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program in Washington, D.C. The program fully funds students to spend six weeks in the nation’s capital learning from diplomats, Foreign Service officers, and others on Capitol Hill. Scholars also take two courses for credit from Howard University and attend a seminar on professional writing. Typically, only 15 students are selected each year from a nationwide pool of more than 800 applications.

This summer, Ly heared first-hand about the career he wants to pursue in the Foreign Service.

“I got to see how those professionals got where they are today so I can learn how to pursue the same path they did,” Ly said. “I also learned more about the rhythm of their daily lives.”

Corps wins AUSA awards

The Corps of Cadets won a pair of awards for 2020-21 at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting.

UNG received the Most Active Company honor and the Best Activities to Enhance the Community award. Both honors rank UNG, which is one of six senior military colleges in the United States, atop the 270 ROTC companies nationwide.

AUSA presents the Most Active Company to ROTC units with the most cadet company-sponsored activities, including meetings, public service programs, military instruction meetings and exercises, and membership recruiting efforts.

Each award included a $3,000 check from Lockheed Martin.

Accepting the AUSA awards were cadet Terrance Dorsey, second from left, cadet Jordan Armstrong, center, UNG Professor of Military Science Col. Bryan Kirk, third from right, and UNG Commandant and retired Col. Joseph Matthews, second from right.

Cadets take aviation ground school course

Stan Allen, an FAA-certified instructor and longtime pilot, taught an aviation ground school for UNG cadets.

The Corps of Cadets offered a 12-week aviation ground school during the spring semester for eight cadets. It provided a valuable experience for those who want to commission into the Army’s aviation branch and prepared them for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot written knowledge test.

Stan Allen, an FAA-certified instructor and longtime pilot, taught the cadets for two hours each week at Pennington Military Leadership Center.

The Office of Leadership and Global Engagement funded this professional development opportunity for cadets.

Four cadets receive educational delay

Four cadets received an educational delay, which is awarded through a highly competitive process, from Army Cadet Command to pursue advanced degrees after their graduation in May 2022. An educational delay allows cadets to continue their studies before going on active duty, often in the medical or law fields.

• Hunter Cavanaugh earned a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness. The From left: Cavanaugh, Fuller, Haller, and Stuart

Elberton, Georgia, resident will pursue a Doctor of

Physical Therapy out of state. • Charles Fuller earned a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness. The Newnan, Georgia, resident has been accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Brenau University. • Alexander Haller earned a degree in psychology. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident aims to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. • Daniel J. Stuart earned a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness. The Huntsville, Alabama, resident plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.