Four Shippensburg University Army ROTC cadets have earned Distinguished Military Graduate (DMG) designation.

Senior criminal justice major Reilly Kline, senior psychology major Patrick Hiller, senior management major Haylie Hardy and senior criminal justice major Johnathan Adami all earned DMG designation.

The DMG award is given to cadets ranked in the top 20 percent among more than 5,400 others from 1,000 colleges and universities. Cadets earn scores according to an Order of Merit list that uses a point system based on criteria such as grade point average, physical fitness scores, campus involvement, professional training and rating of potential and performance at Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, according to Hiller.

“Hearing about making DMG makes me incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to be part of Shippensburg’s Army ROTC program. We have a very solid bunch of motivated cadets here running the battalion, and a great set of cadre teaching and supporting us through everything,” Hiller said. “Ship’s program has excelled in comparison to many other universities’ programs, and our cadets compete well with those of other universities, especially for how small Shippensburg is.”

Military science department Chair Lt. Col. Chris Morton said in a press release that this was the first time in several years that multiple students earned DMG status.

“They are a great example to their fellow cadets and will undoubtedly make excellent Army officers in service of their country,” Morton said.

Hiller said the Army ROTC program has benefited him by developing him as a leader and giving him experiences and trainings he could not get elsewhere. It has also given him a support system of friends and mentors with similar goals and aspirations.

The four cadets will be commissioned as active duty second lieutenants, and Hiller is hoping to be assigned to aviation to serve as a helicopter pilot in the Army.

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