GMC News

Featuring the 136th Corps of Cadets, Georgia Military College hosted a Military Honors Parade on Friday, March 6, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. on Grant Parade.  The parade recognized cadets receiving distinguished military honors.  The guest speaker was COL Gregory D. Gadson (Ret.), USA and the former Garrison Commander of the U.S. Army Fort Belvoir. He is also a bilateral above-the-knee amputee, occasional actor, and motivational speaker. COL Gadson spoke about the importance of being on a team, and explained how his team saved his life.  He shared, “The journey of life is all about being a team and it’s always about something greater than yourself.”  Click here to listen to COL Gadson's remarks.

Each year, the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation presents the MacArthur Cadet Award to the outstanding cadets of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools.  The objective is to encourage the students of member institutions to emulate and practice the qualities exemplified by Douglas MacArthur as a cadet at the West Texas Military Institute and at the United States Military Academy.  The criterion for the award is the most soldierly performance by a senior class cadet considering academics, athletics, and leadership.  The award consists of a check, a uniform pin, an engraved MacArthur Medal and a copy of the book, The General.  This year’s Junior College award was presented to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Hall.  The Prep School award was presented to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Liam Fairbrass.  Mr. Fairbrass has accepted an appointment to the Military Academy at West Point.

Georgia Military College is a member of the Association of Military Colleges and School in the United States (AMCSUS).  This national association named Prep School Cadet Captain Taylore Brooks as the 2015 Leadership Award recipient.  Each year, 43 military colleges and schools compete for this prestigious award based on a student’s leadership, service to others, character, academics and athletics.  The award includes an etched glass plaque, a letter of commendation from the Association and a check for $500.

Cadet Captain Analese Bridges was awarded the JROTC Rifle Team Medal as the Captain of the GMC Prep Rifle Team for exhibiting exemplary leadership and outstanding performance.  She is also awarded the Rifle Badge with 3 stars for being the top shooter on the team for this season.

Raider Challenge is a key sport of the Junior ROTC program.  It is a competition based on military events and it is a physically and mentally challenging high school competition. This year the Prep School Raider Mixed Team was the Georgia State Champion and National Champion runner up.  The members of the Mixed Raider Team include Molly Jones, Liam Fairbrass, Will Caldwell, Chase Sheffield, Andrew Kirkland,
Mark McCabe, Jeff Conner, Tom Drew, Abigail Kirkland, Marina Williams, Emma Mercer, and Allie Kauzlarich.  They were presented with state Championship rings.
Ranger Challenge is known as the varsity sport of the Senior ROTC program. 

The Ranger Challenge program puts cadets through a tough mental and physical competition in order to enhance leader development, team cohesion, and healthy competition.  The Ranger Challenge Team includes, Ariel Vasquez, Robin Rochester,
Connor Dupler, Joshua Hall, Eric Liebig, Luke Torres, Daniel Halpern, Frankend Ababio, and Lucas Fields.

The Junior College Color Guard was recognized for their attention to detail, long hours of practice, and their many performances both on and off campus.  Their service and dedication reflect great credit upon them and Georgia Military College.  Members of the Junior College Color Guard are Cadet Sergeant Major Fabrice Reid, Cadet Master Sergeant Braxton Reid, Cadet Sergeant First Class Thai Holmes, Cadet Sergeant First Class Ashanti Freeman, and Cadet Sergeant First Class Donald Johnson. 

The High School Color Guard was recognized for their attention to detail, and their dedication to perform at events on and off campus throughout the school year.  Their service, dedication, and pride reflect great credit upon themselves and Georgia Military College.  Cadets Ommie Prior, Hannah McTyre, Kayla Barnes, Emma Mercer, Alyssa Easley, Mitchell Mason, and Mya Milner were presented with the JROTC Commendation Ribbon.

The Georgia Military College FIT TO LEAD medal and ribbon recognizes Junior College cadets who have scored the maximum number of points on the Army’s Physical Fitness Test.  This was award was presented to:  Luke Torres, Eric Liebig, Ariel Vasquez, Robin Rochester, Evan Reece, Nina Skinner and Kosi Izundu.

LtGen William B. Caldwell, IV, GMC President recognized Mr. Bruce Thomas with a GMC saber for his distinguished service to Georgia Military College.  Mr. Thomas is a retired naval officer who returned to his hometown and “made a real difference” in our community.  In his 17 years at GMC, he was selected as the Employee of the Quarter five times and earned the rare Sustained Superior Performance Award.  Bruce purchases and maintains the GMC fleet of 41 vehicles across the state of Georgia.  He manages maintenance, dispatches busses, and schedules other vehicle requests all with a friendly smile to everyone.  Mr. Thomas has chaired the GMC Disciplinary Committee for many years and has served on several Presidential Councils.  His efforts and amazing attitude have been a major contributor to GMC’s success.

U.S. Congressman Jody Hice, Georgia State Representative Rusty Kidd, American Legion Department Commander Randy Goodman, and VFW State Commander Al Lipphardt were among those in attendance.

View additional photos here:  https://gmcpr.smugmug.com/20142015/Military-Honors-Parade-30615