Have you been wondering what a typical day in the life of a Cadet is like? It's challenging and exciting!

A typical day in the life of a Cadet:

0645-0700 First Call (wake-up)

At approximately 0645 first call is played over the campus loudspeaker system. Cadet sergeants rise from their beds and echo down the hall “First Call!” Immediately, all Cadets leave their rooms and line up on the hall shoulder-to-shoulder for accountability. It is the duty of the Cadet sergeants to ensure all Cadets are present and ready for physical training or inspection. In the event that you are sick or injured, you will be instructed by a Cadet sergeant to report to student health services. Once accountability is complete, the company moves outside to conduct physical fitness training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The companies conduct inspections and classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

0700-0800 Physical Fitness Training / Inspection

Physical Training at North Georgia consists of stretching, running, push-ups, sit-ups, and various calisthenic exercises. On occasion some companies conduct tactical training, play sports (soccer, football, or ultimate frisbee), or reserve the in-door pool to go swimming. The Corps of Cadets uses the latest physical fitness methods and theory developed by the U.S. Army. Cadets execute physical training to maintain a healthy level of physical fitness, mental activity, and boost morale.

On the Tuesday and Thursday mornings, when physical training is not conducted, you will participate in professional development classes, room inspections, and uniform inspections. Inspections ensure that all Cadets are maintaining the military standard in personal appearance and room readiness. During these inspections members of the Cadet chain of command inspect each Cadet to ensure that he or she is in compliance with standards: correct uniform of the day, all insignia is in the correct location, uniforms are clean and in good condition, and rooms are clean and organized to military standard.

Cadet Athletes

Cadet athletes take the Army Physical Fitness Test before each sport season.  As long as they pass with a score of 210 (with 70 points in each event), they are exempt from Corps PT for the duration of the season.  This allows them to work out and practice with their athletic teams, and they will fully participate in PT with the Corps of Cadets during the off season.

0800-0900 Personal Hygiene / Breakfast

After physical training and inspections are complete, commanders release the members of their company to conduct personal hygiene and eat breakfast. While at the dining facility you are free to sit and eat with whomever you wish. Upon completing personal hygiene and breakfast, you either leave to attend classes or study in preparation for upcoming classes.

0900 – 1500 (3:00pm) Classes

You will attend classes like any other college student. Any time during the day that you are not in class is your free time to spend as you wish. The average class size is 25. By having a low student-teacher ratio, you are able to interact more on a one-on-one basis with your professors. All courses, with the exception of military science courses, are composed of both Cadets and civilian students. You will enjoy the interaction with civilian students because it adds to the feel of a traditional college while still attending a military college. You are continuously encouraged to learn and study for your classes as much as possible. Academics are the number one priority. Every Cadet’s class schedule is different. Although their schedules are different, freshman Cadets are encouraged to schedule their classes with other freshman Cadets in order to promote group studying. We also encourage group studying for Cadets with the same major. If help is needed while studying for a class you can always refer to your study group, go to your company Academic NCO, or schedule a meeting with your professor for assistance.

  1530 (3:30pm) – 1700 (5:00pm) Military Drill and Ceremony (Mondays Only)

You will learn drill and ceremony, camouflage, basic infantry tactics, and Battle Drills. Drill is mandatory for all Cadets. Drill serves as a leadership laboratory where Cadets put the theory of leadership that they learn in class into practical use.
1700 (5:00pm) - 2000 (8:00pm) Personal Time

Personal time is just that: personal time. You are free to participate in the various programs available such as: fraternities/sororities, soccer, baseball, basketball, and intramural sports. Some Cadets participate in specialty organizations such as Ranger Challenge, the Mountain Order of Colombo, the Aggressor Platoon, the Golden Eagle Band, or Color Guard. Some Cadets choose to participate in activities outside of school such as hiking, rafting (tubing), kayaking, or mountain climbing. Participation in extracurricular activities is strongly encouraged. By participating in extracurricular activities you are given and opportunity to interact and socialize with the rest of the student body.

North Georgia Cadets hold in high regard the personal relationships that they develop with with other students, faculty members, staff, and administrators. In fact, during the 2005 National Survey of Student Engagement, North Georgia seniors rated their entire college experience better than did their peers at similar institutions. Additionally, both freshmen and seniors reported that, given the chance, they would choose North Georgia all over again.

*** NOTE: During your first semester only, you will be required to continue wearing a military uniform throughout the evenings. ***

2000 (8:00pm) – 2230 (10:30pm) Quarters  

The purpose of Quarters is to help you improve the effectiveness of your study habits, time management, and academic performance. This period is only required for your first semester or if you have a GPA below 2.5. Quarters is traditionally conducted in the residence halls (Sunday through Thursday nights only) where you can study at your desk. If you do not have a computer then you may use the school's computers located in the day room of the residence halls. In the event that you need to go elsewhere to study (library, group project, evening seminar) then you may sign out to go to that location. North Georgia also provides tutors in various subject areas to assist you in numerous fields of study. Academic advisers, civilian staff/faculty and Cadet academic NCOs are continuously encouraged to provide academic assistance visits or workshops in the residence halls.

2230 (10:30pm) – 2300 (11:00pm) Quarters BreakAfter mandatory study time you are given a quarters break. During this time accountability is taken (to ensure that all Cadets are present) and administrative announcements may be made by the chain of command.
  1900 (7:00pm) - 2400 (12:00pm) Quiet HoursDuring quiet hours, Cadets can continue studying, or prepare themselves for the next day (iron uniforms, polish boots, organize class materials), whether they are on Quarters or not. You also have the option to go to sleep early. If you wish to continue studying past the mandatory sleep period you may do so by signing up for “late lights”. During quiet hours no Cadet should be disturbed unless an emergency exists.
2300 (11:00pm) Lights Out (For Cadets On Quarters) 

2300 lights out is designed to help you gain the most amount of sleep so that you can stay alert in the classroom the next day.

2400 (12:00pm) TapsTAPs (lights out) for Cadets not on quarters is 2400.
Weekends

Some weekends are dedicated to military training. These weekends are referred to as closed weekends, and occur about once a month on average. Closed weekend activities range from parades or inspections to Field Training Exercises (FTX's). FTX's are conducted at the Pine Valley Training area, Radar Ridge, or at Camp Frank D. Merrill, home of the 5th Ranger Training Battalion. On FTX's,you will have the opportunity to put into practical application the many tactical and technical skills that you learned during Monday Drill.

Weekends not dedicated to training are called Open Weekends. You are free to go home, visit friends, or simply stay on campus. Open Weekends provide the opportunity for you to relax, study, hang out with your friends, and simply enjoy college life. Many Cadets enjoy the local area with activities such as tubing, rafting, fishing, or the many cultural festivals held Dahlonega. Other Cadets choose to visit the Atlanta area, which is only a little over an hour drive from campus.

*** NOTE: During your first semester only, you will be required to continue wearing a military uniform throughout the weekends. ***

Cadet Residence Halls

The Corps of Cadets has two residence halls. One holds a battalion of Cadets, while the other houses a battalion, the Cadet Brigade Staff, Golden Eagle Band, and Headquarters Company. Each building has a lobby, latrines, computers (for Cadet use), washers and dryers, and a recreational area. You are free to use any of the facilities at your leisure providing that you do not disturb other Cadets. Each residence hall houses a Tactical Officer (a member of the Commandant’s Staff) whose purpose is to ensue the proper development and training of Cadets.
Each residence hall room holds two Cadets. The room in which you will reside has an active phone line, are Internet ready (via LAN line), cable television, and an air conditioning/heating system. Internet and phone services have already been paid for through fees. However, each Cadet pays for his or her own long-distance phone calls via phone card. Included in the rooms are a desk, bed, storage space and closet. You also have access to a larger storage area known as a “Trunk Room.” Each trunk room is located on the hall in which the Cadet resides and is used for the storage of bulk items. The newest Cadet residence hall's rooms are connected to a private foyer area, latrine, sink, and shower.
The residence halls are coed. Male and female Cadets who are in the same company live on the same hall. However male Cadets only share rooms with other males, and the same rule applies to female Cadets. You can have visitors in your room; however, if the visitor is of the opposite sex the door must remain open.  

Click HERE to check out a video tour of a Cadet residence hall!

Uniforms

The Cadet uniforms at North Georgia mirror that of the active duty Army. Although you will not wear the same rank and insignia that active duty service members do, you will wear the same uniform. Uniform items are available for purchase in the University Bookstore. The uniforms include the Army Service Uniform (ASUs), the Individual Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFUs), the Army Combat Uniform (ACUs), and the NGCSU Campus Casual uniform.  Monday - Wednesday you will wear ACUs and you will wear ASUs Thursdays and Fridays. About once each month, you will wear the ASU uniform with dress jacket. You will also wear the Campus Casual uniform about once a month. Traditionally, IPFUs are worn from 0645 (first call) until breakfast, and the uniform of the day is worn from breakfast until the end of the duty day at 1700. First semester freshmen, however, are required to be in uniform all day. All Cadets are allowed to wear civilian clothes on "Civies Days." Civies Days are held once a month in order to raise funds for the Corps of Cadets NCO Club.

The Dining Facility- "Chow Hall"

There is a new dining facility currently under construction.  It will be complete by Fall 2011.  The dining facility, commonly referred to as the "Chow Hall," is the primary location for all meals. Many Cadets concur that the Dining facility is a nexus of social interaction between the civilians and military students. While eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner you are free to eat wherever and with whomever you choose. The Dining Facility is open throughout the day.
Breakfast in the dining facility is a traditional American breakfast that consists of: grits, eggs, bacon, pancakes (or French toast), and juice. Although this is the most popular selection it is not the only selection. Students have a multitude of selections ranging from a short order grill, cereal, bagels, fruit, nuts, or yogurt.
The Dining Facility is more hectic during the lunch and dinner period with a mixture of both Cadet and civilian students. The main meal changes daily while the short order food, sandwich bar, cereal, salad, and fruit bars remain the same throughout the week. North Georgia does offer an alternate eating location in the Student Center. The Student Center has several vendors for students and Cadets such as smoothies, pizza, wraps, fruit, and short order grill.

COME TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE WEEKEND!