Hunter Hampton becomes 2nd Lieutenant in US Marine Corps
Three days into 2025, an Loganville Christian Academy (LCA) alumnus reached a career milestone.
Hunter Hampton officially became a 2nd Lieutenant in the United State Marine Corps. His commissioning ceremony took place on Jan. 3 in the Founder’s Garden at the University of Georgia.
Hunter described the moment as “surreal,” especially upon reflection of his three years in the officer candidate program.
Numerous individuals were on-hand to witness the occasion, but one person gave the best part of the ceremony for Hunter.
Jesse Roberts, affectionately known as “Papa” and is an Air Force Veteran, gave Hunter his first salute. It was a moment that took the entire ceremony over the top.
“I have looked up to him for my entire life, and I still do,” Hunter said. “He jokes with me all the time because he says he wishes that I joined the Air Force, but he's still very proud of me, and to see that full front, it was a really good moment.”
Hunter’s parents put his rank pins on as well.
Andre King, LCA’s Community Engagement & College Recruiting Coordinator, was also there to help celebrate.
Watching Hunter accomplish such a feat is not shocking at all to Andre.
“During his time at LCA, Hunter excelled as a student-athlete, embodying the highest standards of dedication, discipline, and competitiveness,” Andre said. “His journey from our campus to serving our country is a testament to his character and determination. We can rest assured knowing that he is now protecting our nation’s freedom.”
Having the ceremony at UGA was quite fitting for Hunter. Not only was it the place where Hunter graduated from in December 2024 with an MBA in Finance, but it was where his dream began coming to fruition.
Following his graduation from LCA in May 2021, Hunter began attending UGA in the fall. Hunter considered himself a typical freshman having not been sold on any degree options yet.
Going through the motion of classes and such is when Hunter’s path began formulating.
One random day, Hunter recalls passing by one of his friends who was dressed in a suit heading to a career fair. He tagged along.
At that career fair, Hunter spoke with a recruiter about the officer candidate program and, after a summer of thinking about it, Hunter was sold.
“I started training with them and really enjoyed it,” Hunter said.
“...hearing that constantly helped my spiritual walk for those 14 years I went there. It really influenced me in my life.”
Providing the foundation for Hunter’s career path was right here on the Pridelands. Hunter cited a smaller school environment as a huge boost and credited several individuals who played a pivotal role in his education.
He specifically named Ms. Jennifer Smith, Mr. Andrew Martin, Mr. Dwain Dorsey, Mr. Mike Davis and Mrs. Rachel Ernst.
However, there was an aspect of his educational experience at LCA, that Hunter expressed as beneficial — Chapel. He enjoyed hearing the Word of God and being taught important lessons.
Additionally, he is appreciative of the Biblical emphasis not just being placed on Wednesday mornings for an hour.
“It [was always] being interwoven into everything. It was embedded into the culture and it was just something that was very prominent…something you were used to,” Hunter said. “You thought it was normal. It’s an everyday thing at a Christian school to talk about Christ. It’s just very normal. It’s not very prominent, obviously, in the world. So, just hearing that constantly helped my spiritual walk for those 14 years I went there. It really influenced me in my life.”
While a student at LCA, Hunter was a mult-sport student-athlete. He played football, basketball and ran track in high school. As a senior, Hunter also played soccer.
Away from athletics, Hunter was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society and, in his junior year, was a part of Chapel.
Overall, Hunter thoroughly enjoyed his time as a Lion. And, based on his own path, Hunter shared some advice to current Pridelanders.
“Do everything to the best of your ability because, even if you think no one’s looking or you think something’s not important, doing something to the best of your ability will only be the best thing,” Hunter said. “Even if you try really hard and stuff goes wrong, people will see and you won’t regret doing it.”
Now, several years removed from his time as a Lion, Hunter has accomplished many things. He pursued his dream of becoming a military member and has accomplished that.
When asked what his motivation from the get-go was, Hunter was straightforward with his response.
“I wanted to keep America a free nation. I want to enjoy the freedoms in America and know that I helped preserve them. And even if it means I serve for four to six years or if I serve for a lifetime, I still did a part in helping and keeping it free for myself, for my family, and for my friends.”
