Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Twenty-eight University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) cadets have earned recognition as 2026-27 Distinguished Military Students (DMS).

A DMS is required to possess outstanding qualities of leadership, have exhibited an aptitude for military service, attained a military science standing in the upper third of the ROTC class and the professor of military science order-of-merit list, and have completed Advanced Camp, which is a key milestone the summer before graduation on the path to commissioning. Cadets must also attain an overall standing in the upper half of their university or college class.

This year's DMS honorees are: Erik Bakken, Mason Bell, Tyler Casper, Jason Cooper, Tucker Easter, Michael Fuchko, Mark Gaultney, Joe Gordan, Colton Gunter, Charlie Hammock, Savannah Higdon, Jamie Hudson, Dayton Hurst, William Maynard, Grace McGill, Joseph Norwood, John O'Quinn, Harrison Owens, Jasia Pao, Sam Pennell, Jake Penney, Nate Rea, Eric Roe, Johnathon Savage, Sylas Sisson, Ben Stuart, Cameron Sutton, and Mason Waller.

Hammock, a senior from Peachtree Corners, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management, has dreamed of a career in the military since he was 6 years old. When weighing his college options, he determined Â鶹ÊÓƵ would be the best fit as it provided a balance between military and civilian life that wouldn't be possible at a service academy. A four-year Army ROTC Scholarship recipient, Hammock plans to commission as an infantry officer before moving to military intelligence.

Hammock is one of two battalion commanders with responsibility for leading half of the members of the Corps of Cadets. It's a big step up from freshman year, when he led three high school students visiting for National Leadership Challenge.

"Every single opportunity since then has given me the opportunity to lead and make mistakes and then learn from those mistakes and get better," Hammock said. "And with those opportunities, it's almost completely changed the way that I think. I am always looking for the most efficient way and also trying to anticipate problems before they arise."

He also appreciates the friendly competition in the Corps.

"So many people are striving toward greatness, trying to improve themselves," Hammock said. "Surrounding yourself with those people makes you better yourself. And everybody else around you wants you to be successful."

Pao, a senior from Duluth, Georgia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a forensics concentration and Peace Officer Standards and Training Council certification, first experienced Â鶹ÊÓƵ through the National Intelligence Summer Academy while she was in high school. Previously, Pao served in the Chaplain Corps and Corps academic staff at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. This year, she serves as a squad tactical officer for the Leadership Development Program (LDP), which prepares cadets for Advanced Camp.

Understanding her goals and choosing how to align them with her priorities have been hallmarks of Pao's approach as a cadet.

"The mentorship that occurs here in the Corps is just a cornerstone of this leadership laboratory. You are given the opportunity to observe so many various types of leaders and characteristics, then learn and implement during your time here," Pao said. "Leadership is like a legacy. You are ultimately a puzzle of all the past leaders you've had that have made a significant impact on you. Come with an open mind, stay humble and be coachable."

Easter, a senior from Eatonton, Georgia, pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, is part of the , which lets active-duty soldiers earn a commission as Army officers. He serves as deputy commander for LDP. Easter encourages those coming behind him to step boldly into leadership, whatever form that may take.

"Sometimes it'll be this big opportunity where somebody asks you to do something that's outside your wheelhouse and you have to step up. But a lot of times leadership starts to grow in a small group," Easter said. "Practicing leadership at a small scale and building that up is quintessential to the future leaders who are coming out of here."