Freshman cadet
William Allen
works through
a team-building
exercise Jan. 10
at Pine Valley
Recreation
Complex as part of
the spring semester
FROG Week.
(Photo by Peggy
Cozart, University
of North Georgia)
Real Hero Report | February 2020 |
Two Sets of Siblings
Among Freshmen in
FROG Week
Laurana Bradley wanted to serve in the military to honor
her grandfather, who fought in the Korean War and later
died when she was a sophomore in high school. Both of
her parents served in the military, as well. She and her twin sister,
Bellana, also hoped for a way to pay for college without going
into debt.
At the University of North Georgia (UNG), Laurana and
Bellana found a way to reach both goals. As recipients of the
UNG Military Scholarship, worth more than $85,000 each for the
42 Georgia high school seniors who receive it each year, they are
members of the Georgia Army National Guard and have most of
their school expenses covered.
From January 7-11, the sisters from Powder Springs, Georgia,
were among nearly 60 freshmen cadets who completed Freshman
Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week, the introduction to
Corps of Cadets life at UNG through physical challenges, teambuilding
exercises and information sessions.
Bellana, who is pursuing a biology degree as a pre-medical
student, looks forward to growing in the Corps of Cadets at UNG.
The sisters already had experienced basic training and advanced
individual training through the National Guard, like many of
their spring FROG Week counterparts. They appreciated the
opportunity to work through the grueling week together and talk
through things after a long day. The Bradleys focused on the
positives each night and took the stressful elements in stride.
“They’re trying to push us and make us better,” said Laurana,
who is pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a forensics
concentration.
Another pair of siblings, Aaron and William Allen from
Acworth, Georgia, also joined the Corps of Cadets during spring
semester FROG Week. The brothers earned the UNG Military
Scholarships as well.
“It’s a huge blessing because we have three other siblings,”
said Aaron, who is pursuing a degree in English with teacher
William was adopted from China in seventh grade. Aaron
said he and William decided not to be roommates because they
already have lived together since middle school. William, who is
pursuing a degree in modern languages with a Chinese for global
professionals concentration, is also grateful for the relief the
scholarship provides.
said.
Months of planning and hard work by cadet leadership
culminated in the FROG Week the Bradleys, Allens and their
fellow incoming cadets experienced. As with all other Corps
events, cadets plan and lead FROG Week under the supervision of
the commandant staff.
“The cadet staff and leadership focused every day on improving
FROG Week,” said retired Army Col. Joseph Matthews, UNG
commandant of cadets. “The detailed planning leading up to the
training as well as nightly after-action reviews of the training
combined for a very professional and safe week for the incoming
cadets.”
Headquarters Company led this semester’s FROG Week. “You
have to make sure they’re grounded and ready to be successful,”
and a senior from Columbus, Georgia, pursuing a political science
degree. “You’ve got to love what you’re doing. You have to want
to make good cadets.”
Cadet 1st Sgt. Charles Paschal, a senior from Roswell, Georgia,
pursuing a degree in criminal justice, said FROG Week is one
of his favorite events at UNG and marks “a transition into a new
world” for the new cadets.
While the freshmen adjusted to intensity and other challenges,
the cadet leadership was busy ensuring all the logistics were in
place. About 150 cadets returned to school a week early to make
FROG Week a success.
“We’ve all seen it so many times, it seems like clockwork. But
freshmen are going to have of UNG and the Corps of Cadets. It’s
important that it’s a positive experience.”
Bellana and Laurana Bradley, twin sisters from Powder Springs, Georgia,
joined the Corps of Cadets in the spring 2020 semester. Following their
basic training and advanced individual training with the Army National
Guard in the fall, they experienced FROG Week in January. (Photo by
Peggy Cozart, University of North Georgia)