University of North Georgia

During spring break, the University of North Georgia (UNG) Combat Action Shooting Team (CAST) swept the top two spots in the cadet team division of the U.S. Army Small Arms Championship. Jesse Shoemaker, CAST officer in charge, was named top cadet, winning by more than 200 points. He earned excellence in competition points in both rifle and pistol, placing him in the top 10% of all 209 shooters at the competition. The team also had impressive results in the SIG Sauer Relentless Warrior Campionship. UNG was the only senior military college on the podium at the New Hampshire competition in April. UNG earned third place, the Air Force Academy took second place and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point took home the gold. Shoemaker was seventh individually, with Price also in the top 20.

Twelve University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets spent the summer abroad in U.S. ally nations experiencing culture and military structure. Cadet Emily Mendez, who once aspired to be a veterinarian, spent the semester at Colegio Militar de la Nacion in Argentina. Being fluent in Spanish and having a deep desire to travel, the Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident jumped at the chance. While in Argentina, she was granted permission to participate in field training with the Armor Branch. The decision was "life-changing" for Mendez, who left the U.S. believing she wanted to branch infantry.