About 240 FROGS set to begin cadet life

FROG buddies can be lifelong friends, too.

"FROG Buddies truly make the FROG Week experience. Whether a new cadet enjoys FROG Week and often the Corps as a whole, depends largely on the relationships they build during that time. FROG Buddies need to build those connections with their peers by investing time in getting to know the new cadets, asking questions, offering encouragement, and making them feel unified," cadet Dayton Hurst said. "Those relationships often become the foundation of a cadet's support system throughout their time at UNG."

Hurst is a senior from Thomasville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management with a concentration in logistics and supply chain management. His responsibilities as brigade executive officer during FROG Week were to oversee and synchronize the brigade staff to ensure operations ran smoothly behind the scenes. This, he said, included coordinating personnel, operations, logistics, communications, and administrative support so cadre could focus on mentoring and developing the incoming freshman class.

"My goal was to ensure every part of FROG Week was organized and executed efficiently, creating an environment where new cadets could have a positive and successful introduction to the Corps of Cadets," Hurst said.

McGill said it's mainly the responsibility of her executive officer and staff to create the schedule and logistics of the week and she, in turn, took them to the commandant staff for approval. Then it was up to McGill and her staff to implement the plan and ensure that it was executed properly.

Cadet Nate Rea, a senior from Milton, Georgia, handled the operations of the week.

"I focused on coordinating planning efforts across the brigade, ensuring information was communicated effectively, and synchronizing the many moving parts that made FROG Week possible," he said. "Seeing leaders at every level work together toward a common goal has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the process."

Rea is pursuing a degree in marketing.

"FROG Week is successful because it is a true team effort. Every cadre member, staff section and specialty unit plays a vital role, and everyone is committed to working together to provide incoming cadets with the best possible experience. Throughout the planning process, we emphasized collaboration, communication and shared responsibility to ensure every aspect of the week was synchronized," he said. "By keeping everyone informed and engaged, we've built a team that understands the importance of their role in creating a positive, organized and welcoming introduction to the Corps of Cadets for our newest members."