The 3rd Infantry Division has a long history of enlisted Soldiers transitioning to become commissioned officers. This has allowed enlisted Soldiers to use their previous experience to develop and lead Soldiers of all ranks. At the foundation of every rank in the military, there is a characteristic of leadership.
A former Dogface Soldier, U.S. Army Cadet Lance Travis, began his Green to Gold Program (GGP) journey in 2023, pursuing his bachelor's degree in computer science. The GGP has several avenues for active duty, reserve and national guard Soldiers to pursue higher education. Some of these include grants, undergraduate and graduate degree paths with non-scholarship and scholarship programs.
Travis is a cadet at Georgia Southern University and he is currently serving as the cadet battalion commander, overseeing all of the cadets in his program.
“Learning the history behind 3rd ID and what it means to be a Dogface Soldier, you think of the Battle of the Marne, Alwyn Cache, Christopher Celiz, and Audie Murph, it has definitely changed my mental fortitude and has given me grit, whether it's during training, physical fitness, academics, or my own personal life,” said Travis. “Being with like-minded individuals that are goal-oriented and want to better not only their environment but the future of the Army through service has really inspired me to go to the Green to Gold Program.”
In May of 2026, Travis is set to graduate and commission. After commissioning, he will attend the Army Basic Officer Leader Course to become a signal officer at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
After BOLC, Travis plans on going back to being a servant leader, placing Soldiers and the mission before his own needs. The vast wealth of knowledge and experience from his previous noncommissioned officers and his prior experience as an NCO have given him a true understanding of what it means to rely on his NCOs.
“It goes back to being that servant leader, placing Soldier and the mission before the needs of your own,” said Travis.
From being an enlisted Soldier to becoming a commissioned officer, Travis has gained a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge shared by and with individuals of every rank during his journey.
“I’m especially proud of Cadet Lance Travis. I met Lance when I served as the Scholarship and Enrollment Officer for Georgia Southern University Army RTOC’s Eagle Battalion,” said George Fredrick, Military Advisor of Georgia Southern University. “Lance’s academics and high performance as a Soldier helped him earn a GGP scholarship and a GPA of 3.4.”
The military and college communities are a melting pot of individuals from around the world, where bonds and relationships will be built that have the potential to last forever.
‘I’d like to give a special thanks to all of my family, friends and individuals I’ve met in the military for providing the mentorship and leadership that have helped me grow throughout the years in the military and at Georgia Southern University,” said Travis. “I will always be proud to be a Dogface Soldier, Rock of the Marne!”
If you are active duty and are interested in applying for the Green to Gold Program. Visit the https://armyrotc.army.mil/green-to-gold/ website or visit your installation's education center.