Corps newcomers navigate FROG Week
More than 200 new cadets completed Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week this fall as they transitioned from civilian to military life within the University of North Georgia's (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) Corps of Cadets.
One of those who thrived in the atmosphere of FROG Week was Jaden Davidson. The freshman from Dallas, Georgia, regularly cheered on her fellow Golf Company newcomers through difficult tasks and gained encouragement from their support.
"The physical challenges of FROG Week were unlike anything I could have imagined," Davidson, who is pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, said. "But it's helped me realize what I need to do to excel in the Corps of Cadets."
Cadet leaders plan and execute all corps events, including FROG Week, with the oversight of the commandant staff. Â鶹ÊÓƵ is one of six senior military colleges in the nation and commissions more than 100 officers into the Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve each year.
Retired Col. Joseph Matthews, commandant of cadets and a 1994 alumnus, experienced FROG Week as a cadet in 1989. He enjoys seeing the way it influences Â鶹ÊÓƵ's newest cadets.
"We are thrilled to welcome these freshmen to the Corps of Cadets as we train the next generation of Army leaders," Matthews said. "FROG Week is not only a great introduction to the corps. It's a life-changing experience."
Cadet Col. Ryan Jones, a senior from Richmond, Virginia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies, is the brigade commander who leads the more than 725 cadets enrolled at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. He said the knowledge and experiences gained in FROG Week help integrate the newcomers into the corps.
"FROG Week offers us a great opportunity to bring in our new freshmen and build a team with our cadet leaders," Jones said. "These older cadets give FROGs role models to look up to as they adjust to the leadership laboratory of the corps."
Cadet Lt. Col. Ayomide Adekola, a senior from Loganville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in computer science, commands the first battalion of the Corps of Cadets. He remembered how FROG Week helped him and tried to set up this year's incoming cadets for success. Adekola said unity and self-discipline are both vital elements of what the corps teaches.
"They don't have to go through this alone. The whole point of being a team is making sure we're doing things together," Adekola said. "That's why they room together, eat together, and take part in other activities together. We drive home team bonding."
McGill takes reins as brigade commander
Grace McGill has been named Corps of Cadets brigade commander for 2026-27. She is also a captain on the Â鶹ÊÓƵ women's soccer team.
Cadets ready to lead as officers
Â鶹ÊÓƵ will commission 60 second lieutenants into the Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve during a 4 p.m. May 12 ceremony in the Convocation Center at Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Dahlonega Campus.
Ranger Challenge team competes at Sandhurst
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Ranger Challenge team finished ninth among ROTC teams and 21st among U.S. teams while coming in 37th out of 48 teams overall in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held May 1-2.
Cadets ready to chase excellence at Sandhurst
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Ranger Challenge team will compete in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition from May 1-2 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.