On September 8 Georgia’s top officials and representatives from the U.S. were on hand as Georgia’s National Defense Academy (NDA) graduated its first class under its four-year baccalaureate program.  105 cadets graduated with degrees and were commissioned into Georgian Armed Forces with the rank of lieutenant.  This is a monumental achievement and evidence of further professionalization and reform in Georgian Armed Forces.  The U.S. supports NDA with a team of expert, on-site advisors that have assisted NDA leadership with academics and curriculum, the leader development and military training program, and instructor training.