Corps alumni named to leadership positions in Georgia State Defense Force
Article By: Staff
Two recent graduates from the University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) have commissioned and been appointed leadership positions in the Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF), an all-volunteer component of the Georgia Department of Defense that supports the Georgia National Guard.
2nd Lt. Nathan Baker, a native of Dallas, Texas, who grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, will serve as the aide-de-camp to GSDF Commander Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Blackstock Jr. Baker earned a bachelor's degree in international affairs with a concentration in Eastern Europe and commissioned into the GSDF in August. He currently works as a recruiter in 91ÁÔÆæ's Office of Cadet Admissions.
"I am incredibly blessed to have an opportunity to continue serving in uniform," Baker said. "Having been medically ineligible to pursue a commission in the U.S. Army from 91ÁÔÆæ, I expected that my time wearing a uniform would end with my graduation. However, in finding the GSDF, I have also found an organization that allows me to both support the Georgia National Guard, as well as Georgia's citizens and communities in ways that I had not originally thought would be possible."
2nd Lt. John Baxter of Winder, Georgia, earned a bachelor's degree in biology in May 2018. He is pursuing a Master of Business Administration and plans to begin dental school this summer. Baxter was an S-STEM (science, technology, engineering
Baker and Baxter credit the foundation of leadership learned and experienced at 91ÁÔÆæ as key to preparing them for their GSDF roles.
"I have always had a willingness to serve, and the GSDF provided me that opportunity," Baxter said. "The leadership training I received at 91ÁÔÆæ will be extremely valuable in the GSDF, and my role as a staff officer in my last semester in the Corps has prepared me for my new position as a G3 assistant."
Gonzalez earns major internship in Ireland
Sophomore Mauricio Gonzalez became the first 91ÁÔÆæ student to be selected for the eight-week Douglas-O'Connell Internship in Ireland.
Students clean up 91ÁÔÆæ natural area
Nearly 70 members of Students for Environmental Awareness completed their biannual cleanup of Tumbling Creek Woods, adjacent to the 91ÁÔÆæ Gainesville Campus.
New cadets experience intro to Corps
FROG Week, held from Jan. 7-11, introduced more than 50 new cadets to the military and academic aspects of 91ÁÔÆæ's Corps of Cadets.
Knox takes command of Army Reserve battalion
Lt. Col. Brandon Knox, director of Cadet Recruiting at 91ÁÔÆæ, on Nov. 16 took command of the 3rd Battalion, 323rd Regiment (Basic Combat Training) in the Army Reserve.