The Summer Transition Program at North Georgia College & State University provides students an advance start on higher education, physical training and an introduction to the university’s award-winning Corps of Cadets.

“Our summer military program is designed to assist incoming military freshmen to transition from a civilian lifestyle and prepare them for the academic and physical requirements of the university and the Corps of Cadets,” said retired Maj. Richard Neikirk, assistant commandant of the corps at North Georgia.

The 56 students in the program take six hours of classes. All of them are enrolled in wellness (physical education), and half take English and the other half study history. At the same time, they improve their physical fitness levels, as they learn about the corps, the university and the military.

By the time the other cadets arrive on campus for Freshmen Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week, beginning Aug. 15, these recent high school graduates will be better prepared for their FROG experience. Along with other new cadets, they will be called “FROGS” throughout the mini-military basic training prior to the start of fall semester classes.

Neikirk said the Summer Transition Program includes students from throughout Georgia and from eight other states, thanks to the national marketing campaign conducted by the Cadet Recruitment Center on campus, with Keith Antonia serving as director. Three experienced cadet leaders, Colin Sattler, Kristen Landis and Bryan Galas, are serving as counselors to train and mentor the new first-year students.

NGCSU is the Military College of Georgia.