University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnus Col. Kitefre "Kit" Oboho addressed the roughly 50 new second lieutenants and 14 National Service Leadership Track graduates of the Corps of Cadets in a May 13 ceremony.

Oboho serves as commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army's premier direct-action raid force, a role he took in June 2024. He leads over 3,000 soldiers stationed in Georgia and Washington state. Oboho previously commanded the 3rd Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, starting in 2021.

He shared the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, where Shackleton's ship, the Endurance, was trapped by ice. Shackleton helped his crew of 28 survive for more than two years through his leadership and determination.

"As you embark on this Army career, you, too, have answered the call, a call to serve your nation, protect its freedoms and to stand ready in the face of danger," Oboho said. "And while your challenge may differ from those faced by Shackleton and his crew, the fundamental principles of unwavering resolve, selfless leadership and adaptability will remain the same. You will be asked to lead in complex, demanding environments, to make difficult decisions under pressure and to always prioritize the well-being of those under your command."

Oboho encouraged the graduates to persevere.

"You will have hard days. You will experience failure," he said. "But you should never let it define you. Learn from your failures and get back on your feet. For if you succeed, you will know the triumph of high achievement, but if you fail, you will fail while daring greatly."

He noted that resourcefulness can set leaders apart.

"You, too, will need to be agile thinkers, capable of finding unique solutions to tough problems," Oboho said. "As we watch the current conflicts in Gaza, in Ukraine and in Yemen, what we are quickly learning is the winner is often on the side of those who adapt the fastest."

Oboho earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UNG and commissioned into the infantry in 2002, and he added a master's degree in defense analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2015.

He previously commanded the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd IBCT (Airborne) in Vicenza, Italy, from 2019-2021. From 2017-19 Oboho served as the aide de camp to then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, who later served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The alumnus also held leadership positions with the 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2012-17, including executive officer, operations officer, company commander, and adjutant.

Oboho's awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal.

He and his wife, Kai Hawkins Oboho, sponsor the Knox Kitefre Oboho Military Leadership Scholarship for UNG cadets. The scholarship honors their son Knox, who died in December 2014. Kai Oboho, a 2005 UNG alumna, is a Distinguished Military Graduate and a decorated combat veteran. The couple have two sons, Kope and Karter.