GMC News

Georgia Military College Presents Awards at Alumni Weekend 2018

Georgia Military College alumni and friends met October 19th and 20th to reminisce during Alumni Weekend 2018.  One of the highlights of the weekend was honoring of a select group of individuals with Georgia Military College Alumni Awards.  The recipients of these prestigious awards are selected annually from submitted nominations.

The 2018 recipients are:  The Honorable Bobby L. Christine (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Brigadier General Reginald G.A. Neal (Distinguished Alumnus Award), Mr. Terry Johnson (Alumni Achievement Award), Mr. Larry Allen (GMC Service Award), LT Zachary Lee Seagraves, USN (Emerging Young Alumni Leader Award), David and CC Sinclair (Honorary Alumni Award).  These seven extraordinary people are representative of the fine character and countless acts of excellence displayed by the alumni and friends of Georgia Military College.  GMC is fortunate to have been a part of the lives of each of these fine people.  The contributions of the 2018 Alumni Award recipients have without a doubt made the world a better place.

Distinguished Alumnus Award
The Honorable Bobby L. Christine JC 1989
Evans, Georgia
The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given to an alumnus of GMC who has distinguished him/herself in their profession in an outstanding manner, and in so doing has brought honor upon themselves and to GMC. This award is presented for service to humanity and dedication, which have fostered the ideals of GMC.
   The Honorable Bobby L. Christine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, received his Associate degrees in Military Science and General Studies from Georgia Military College, graduating as co-valedictorian and Distinguished Military Graduate in 1989. A member of the 110th Corps of Cadets, Bobby joined the Georgia Army National Guard in 1987 where he continues to serve today. He has been an adjunct faculty member at the Augusta campus, and is active as an alumnus supporting the institution.

    Bobby completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and earned a law degree from Samford University. Working for a decade in the District Attorney’s Office in Augusta where he become chief of the Columbia County division, Bobby prosecuted thousands of cases, including violent felonies and complex thefts. He is one of the only prosecutors in modern Georgia to win a conviction for murder where the body of the victim has never been located. Christine was recognized as the GMC Outstanding Young Alumnus in 1998.
From 2005 to 2017 Christine sat as Judge of Magistrate Court for Columbia County, serving as Chief Magistrate from 2009-2012. During this time, he also maintained a private law practice concentrating in litigation.
On November 22, 2017 Bobby was sworn in as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, having been nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia -43 counties from Wilkes in the north to the Florida line, and from Savannah to Dublin & Waycross- prosecutes cases involving violations of federal law, and represents the interests of the United States government in civil matters. Investigating and prosecuting a broad array of criminal conduct of every conceivable magnitude, including conduct overseas, the office is at the forefront of many important areas of criminal law enforcement, including terrorism, white collar and cyber-crime, mortgage fraud, public corruption, gang violence, organized crime, international narcotics trafficking and civil rights viola¬tions. The Office litigates among the most complex and significant civil cases the Department of Justice handles – from large affirmative civil fraud cases to cases in the environmental, health care, immigration and bankruptcy areas, as well as cases implicating classified information. The Office is headquartered in Savannah, has a fully staffed branch office in Augusta, and four additional offices in Waycross, Brunswick, Statesboro and Dublin.
Throughout its history, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia has distinguished itself as one of the nation’s premier legal institutions, successfully prosecuting groundbreaking and historic cases.
An Army reservist since age 17, Bobby served in a variety of assignments as a Combat Engineer, and currently serves as State Judge Advocate (SJA), appointed by  Governor Nathan Deal in November of 2012. As SJA Bobby is the senior military lawyer and civilian counsel for the Georgia National Guard, the largest division of Georgia’s state government. In his military capacity he leads and supervises more than forty Army, Air Force, and civilian lawyers plus support staff. He is a veteran of the war in Iraq, a graduate of the Master’s Degree program at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. and more than a dozen other military schools and courses. Among his military awards and citations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star medal, and the parachutist badge. In 2016 Bobby was selected the Army Career Judge Advocate of the year. His current rank is Colonel.
Bobby and his wife Sheri, an elementary school teacher for Columbia County, have two daughters and one son. The Christine family resides in Evans and attends St. Teresa Catholic Church.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Brigadier General Reginald G.A. Neal JC 1989
Dallas, Georgia
   The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given to an alumnus of GMC who has distinguished him/herself in their profession in an outstanding manner, and in so doing has brought honor upon themselves and to GMC. This award is presented for service to humanity and dedication, which have fostered the ideals of GMC.
Brigadier General Reginald Neal graduated from Georgia Military College in 1989, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field Artillery branch. He holds Associate degrees from GMC, a Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University, a Master’s degree from The Citadel, a second Master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University.
Reg is an active and fervent supporter of Georgia Military College. He is a dedicated alumnus with a passion to serve his alma mater as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, and proudly continues to wear his GMC class ring.
General Neal has served in key leadership assignments from the firing battery to Corps level. He assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, in August 2007. While the battalion was deployed to Afghanistan, he served as the Commander of Joint Task Force Kabul. General Neal later took command of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). Following command of the 48th IBCT, General Neal was selected to serve as the Executive Officer to the 28th Chief of the National Guard Bureau (NGB) at the Pentagon. General Neal is currently assigned as the Director of the Joint Staff, Georgia Army National Guard and as a Dual-hat Deputy Commanding General (NG) for U. S. Army South at Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.
General Neal served on numerous strategic-level military planning committees, including the Combat Vehicle Task Force and Field Artillery Advisory Council as the battalion commander sub-committee chair. General Neal is a member of several professional and civic organizations including the Field Artillery Association, 3rd Infantry Division Association (Life member), Chatham Artillery Crop., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., American Legion Post #160, and he is the Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post #5408 (Life member).
General Neal completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms Staff Service School, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Paladin Commanders Course, Field Artillery Battalion Pre-Command Course, Tactical Combat Commanders Course, Maneuver Brigade Pre-Command Course, the US Army War College and the Army Strategic Education Program-Basic. General Neal is also a gradu¬ate of Harvard University’s National & International Security Seminar.
General Neal’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal (Afghanistan), five Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, both Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign medals, NATO medal, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Citation, Basic Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
General Neal is from Ludowici, Ga. He is married to Kim Neal of Bloomingdale, Ga. He has two sons serving on active duty in the US Army, and his daughter Alexandria attends The Georgia Institute of Technology.

(BG Reg Neal and Bobby Christine)

Alumni Achievement Award
Mr. Terry Johnson JC 1962
Warrenton, Georgia
The Alumni Achievement Award is given to an alumnus who by deed, or action, reflects and recognizes the importance of their education at GMC and exemplifies its Core Values of “Duty, Honor, Country” in their personal and professional lives. This alumnus’ interest and loyalty are evident to GMC through their contributions of time, talents, and/or philanthropic sup¬port to one or more programs benefitting GMC and/or the GMCAA.
     Terry M. Johnson attended Georgia Military College Junior College in 1962. Whatever Terry has done in life, from leading a successful career at GIW Industries to public and community service, he has been “all in.”
Johnson retired from GIW Industries in Grovetown, Georgia, with 30 years of service. Terry also served six years in the Georgia National Guard (Btry B 1st Bn 214th Arty), six years on the Warrenton City Council, and eight years on the Warren County Board of Commissioners.
Twenty years after graduating from Georgia Military College, Terry became one of the most active pro¬moters of GMC’s Alumni Weekend – a man on a mission to gather as many former Band Company members as possible throughout the year.
What began with finding members of Band Company for their personal reunion and encouraging them to attend Alumni Weekend was somehow not enough, so it grew to include annual road trips to visit members who have not been to a reunion in recent years, if ever. The reunion, which started out with a specific year, has now expanded to include the entire decade and anyone with a love for GMC.
In 2011 Johnson was given the Alumni Service Award after taking on the project of searching for lost Band Company alumni in the decade of the ‘60s. He spent countless hours in order to find and verify the contact information and status of each of these GMC alumni. He then generously shared his data with the GMC staff to be used in updating the school’s alumni database. Terry continues to maintain his own database of those who care about their alma mater.
Terry is a valued member of the Alumni Board of Directors. He successfully co-chaired a very special ini¬tiative, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Scholarship in 2016, now fully endowed, in memory of his fallen class¬mates. Because Terry attributes much of his success and values to GMC, his commitment is both here and now with his time, talents and treasure, and also through a planned legacy gift to help ensure GMC realizes its vision of providing a character-based higher education, improving students’ personal well-being and giving hope for a brighter future. We are truly grateful for Terry’s loyalty and his desire to make a difference for generations to come.
Johnson is a lifelong resident of Warren County, Georgia. He was raised on his family farm, on land that has been in Johnson Family since 1793, which is where he currently resides. Terry and his late wife, Virginia, have one daughter, Shannon, and three grandchildren.

(Terry Johnson)

GMC Service Award
Mr. Larry Allen
Milledgeville, Georgia
The GMC Service Award is designated for alumni or friends of GMC who have rendered special service to the school, or any of its ancillary organizations. All nominees should show evidence of service and loyalty to GMC and their community through demonstrated involvement in campus and community organizations and activities. This award is the highest rec¬ognition and greatest expression of appreciation extended to an individual by the GMCAA, given for outstanding service & volunteerism. This is an annual award and may be presented to more than one nominee.
Mr. Larry Allen grew up in Milledgeville and attended Baldwin High School. After graduation, he attended Georgia Alabama Business College in Macon, and graduated in 1964. Larry also took courses at GMC through the National Guard. From there he attended The University of Georgia and he graduated from Athens Tech in 1968-1969 with a degree in Technical/Vocational Education. Allen retired from the Georgia Army National Guard after 23 years of service.
For more than 10 years, Larry was the Sports and Advertising Director for the Union Recorder in Milledgeville. He was honored with the titles of Sports Editor and Sports Writer of the Year by The Georgia Press Association during his time at The Union Recorder. He then went on to work at the Department of Corrections where he utilized his degree in teaching. He taught at the Scott State Prison for 14 years. He was selected as Teacher of the Year while he was employed there as well.
When the prison system closed, he went to work with Department of Juvenile Justice. Larry worked at the Bill E. Ireland Youth Detention Center in Milledgeville until he retired.
Larry has been a dedicated supporter of GMC and its students for over 30 years. Larry’s involvement at GMC started when he was asked by some of his friends to help out at the annual GMC Barbecue. He volun¬teered to help and saw firsthand the camaraderie and respect the students had for one another and others. At that moment, a 30+ year passion and commitment to this institution was born.
He has worked with the Bulldog Club for more than 30 years, where he has served as President on at least three different occasions. Larry was also in charge of the football program for many years. Prior to the reloca¬tion of the football concession stand, Larry was in charge of concessions for football, baseball, and basketball for more than 15 years. He has also spent much time investing in the basketball programs at GMC, as he has been the clock operator for GMC basketball games for the last 20 years.
Larry was named an Honorary Alumnus of Georgia Military College in 1998 and soon after that the Bulldog Club created the Larry Allen GMC Scholarship, which is awarded to a GMC senior who has excelled academically, exhibited overall excellence, and plans to attend Georgia Military College after graduation.
In 2018, Georgia Military College presented Larry with the Distinguished Order of the Servant Leader Award in recognition of his 30+ years of dedicated service GMC and our students.
Further, the Bulldog Club established the Larry Allen Prep Endowment which will be awarded to a student attending GMC Prep School.
Not only does Larry serve, he supports. No matter what sporting event our students are participating in, Larry is there cheering on the Bulldogs. He is our #1 Fan! And Mr. Larry, we are your #1 Fan as well.
Mr. Allen resides in Milledgeville and attends First Baptist Church.

(Larry Allen)

Emerging Young Alumni Leader Award
LT Zachary Lee Seagraves, USN HS 2008
Bremerton, Washington
    The Emerging Young Alumni Leader Award is given to an alumnus of GMC who has graduated within the past 10 years, is no more than 35 years of age, and has accomplished one or more of the following:
Has demonstrated continuous support of the Alumni Association and GMC through contributions of time and/or gifts;
Has made outstanding contributions to a chosen profession;
Has achieved in such a way that has brought great honor to the individual and the College;
Has demonstrated service and a commitment to the community;
Has fostered the ideals, goals and values of GMC.
A 2008 graduate of the Prep School, Zach received a National Naval ROTC scholarship and used that to attend Auburn University. While at Auburn he continued to hone the core values of “Duty, Honor, and Country” and the academic and practical skills necessary to impact his world.
As a Midshipman at Auburn, Zach consistently demonstrated leadership both inside and outside of his NROTC detachment. As a senior he served as a Company Commander and Community Service Officer while working toward his Bachelor’s degree in Biosystems Engineering. He also served as a volunteer Young Life leader at one of the local middle schools during his time at Auburn.
Zach graduated from Auburn and commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy in 2012. Shortly after, he and his wife moved to Pensacola, Florida where he was assigned to Naval Flight School. He then applied for re-designation to the Navy’s Civil Engineer Corps (CEC), was accepted, and began his career as a CEC officer with assignment to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11 in Gulfport, Mississippi.
While a member of NMCB 11 Zach attended and graduated from CEC Officer School in Port Hueneme, California. While in Gulfport he was deployed for seven months to Rota, Spain where he participated in vari¬ous multi-national exercises across Africa and Europe. While deployed, Zach earned his Seabee Combat Warfare designator and officially became a Seabee Combat Warfare designated Officer. During this time, he served as the Company Commander for Alpha Company, Detachment Morocco Officer in Charge and Deputy Operations Officer.
Currently, Zach is stationed in Bremerton, Washington at Naval Base Kitsap where he serves as a con¬struction manager and contracting officer as part of NAVFAC Northwest, overseeing construction projects at the Navy’s nuclear submarine base. Responsible for millions of dollars in contracts, he works with Naval per¬sonnel and civilian contractors to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. In October 2017, Zach became a Professional Engineer when he passed his Professional Engineer Examination.
Zachary is married to his wife Laura and together they have a son, Nason.

(Zachary Seagraves)

Honorary Alumni Award
David and CC Sinclair
Milledgeville, Georgia
    The Honorary Alumni Award is awarded to individuals who are not alumni of Georgia Military College, but who have provided special or exceptional service to the school or to its Alumni Association, and who, by virtue of their service, are worthy of the designation of GMC Alumnus and all that the designation entails.
This year we are proud to recognize David and CC Sinclair with the Honorary Alumni Award. David Sinclair came to the United States from Glasgow, Scotland, and has enjoyed a successful career in demolition on both sides of the Atlantic. He is an industry veteran and one of the demolition sector’s most decorated individuals.
David is a past president of both the United Kingdom’s National Federation of Demolition Contractors and the European Demolition Association. He is currently a director of National Demolition Association of the USA, an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Demolition Engineers, and is a member of the European Federation of Explosive Engineers. In 2011, he was also appointed as Demolition Engineer to the United Nations. In 2017 David joined U.S. national contractor Envirocon, Inc., as decommissioning and demolition technical director.
CC’s background is in marketing and business management, and she spent 25+ years in corporate healthcare marketing/management. Additionally, CC is involved with several non-profits in volunteer leadership roles, such as United Way and United Negro College Fund. She currently serves as a board member with Boys & Girls Club of Baldwin and Jones Counties as Chair of the Fundraising Committee. CC also serves as an advisor and mentor to the Georgia College Early College Program.
In 2009, David and CC decided to purchase a property down south to visit during the winter. It was then that David stumbled upon Lake Sinclair and they moved to Milledgeville without knowing anything about the community. Over the past seven years the couple has become engrained in Milledgeville by being engaged in community-centric issues and focusing on supporting education through GMC, an institution that they feel is inclusive and inspiring, as well as the Early College Program and REACH Scholars under Baldwin County School District.
Their interest in learning about their new community, led David and CC to a Development Authority meeting at GMC where they met General Peter Boylan, who at the time was President of GMC. They struck up a conversation that eventually led to a lasting relationship, partnership, and friendship between the Sinclairs and Georgia Military College. The Sinclairs’ heart for education and helping students in need has truly benefited the institution in numerous ways. Over the years they’ve actively supported the Performing Arts, sponsored students in the prep school, supported scholarship funding for GMC students, and have made a number of other donations in support of the institution.
David and CC are passionate about the character-based education GMC Prep offers and they have given of their time, talent, and treasure to enrich the lives of countless Prep School students. They truly embody our Prep School ideals of developing the intellect and elevating the character of our students.
The Alumni Association is pleased to confer the status of Honorary Alumni to both David and CC Sinclair for their ongoing and generous support for Georgia Military College and the students we serve.

(David and CC Sinclair)