(Sept. 23, 2009) — In the U.S. Army’s just released National Order of Merit List, North Georgia College & State University is the nation’s top-performing senior military college. Of the country’s 4,702 cadets ranked on this year’s list, six North Georgia cadets placed in the top 10 percent. Cadet Jessica Carlock, commander of Foxtrot Company, at number seven on the list, is the top-ranked cadet from North Georgia.

“North Georgia cadets outperformed their peers from the all of the other senior military colleges,” Col. Michael Pyott, professor of military science, said. “Of the senior military colleges, the next highest on the Order of Merit List was a cadet from VMI at 36.”

The annual list ranks cadets in more than 270 Army ROTC programs, based on performances at the Army’s Leadership Development Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Wash., physical fitness, campus leadership performance, and academic achievement.

North Georgia College & State University is one of only six senior military colleges in the nation. Others include the Citadel, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech. North Georgia is also designated by the state legislature as The Military College of Georgia and as a Leadership Institution for civilian and military students by the Board of Regents.

Cadets’ rankings on the list play a role in determining their military assignments, such as aviation, infantry, military police, and other branches. Those who rank in the top 10 percent are guaranteed their first choice in duty assignments and graduate as Distinguished Military Graduates, one of the highest honors an ROTC student may achieve.

The six North Georgia cadets who placed in the top 10 percent are:

• Cadet Capt. Jessica Carlock, commander of F Company, of Lafayette, Ga.
• Cadet Lt. Col. Kevin Ahearn, commander of 2^nd Battalion, of Chattanooga, Tenn.
• Cadet Capt. Justin Middleton, of Roswell, Ga.
• Cadet 1st Lt. Colin Slep, of Clarkesville, Ga.
• Cadet Lt. Col. Nathan Turk, commander of 1st Battalion, of Flowery Branch, Ga.
• Cadet Capt. Mackenzie Eason, commander of B Company, of Fort Worth, Texas

An additional eight cadets from North Georgia ranked in the top 20 percent of the list, which qualifies them to graduate as Distinguished Military Graduates. Those cadets are: Jordan Gomolak, Brittany Kall, Ryan King, Michael Echevarria, Jarrett Nieves, Andrew Powell, Ashlie Shrewsbury, and Zach Bailey.