Cadets gain skills in aviation ground school
The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Corps of Cadets is offering a 12-week aviation ground school this semester for 11 cadets. It provides a valuable experience for those who want to commission into the Army's aviation branch and prepares them for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot written knowledge test.
Stan Allen, an FAA-certified instructor and longtime pilot, is teaching the cadets for two hours each Thursday at the Military Leadership Center.
The course is offered with no out-of-pocket expense to the cadets as the Office of Leadership and Global Engagement is funding this professional development opportunity.
We want to give our cadets all the tools they need to be successful in their preferred branch.
Retired Lt. Col. Heath Williams
UNG director of federal liaison and military education coordinator
Taking the class also shows initiative on the part of the cadets, as it is on top of their traditional coursework and required military science classes. Zoe Kinzie, a sophomore from Alva, Oklahoma, pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a concentration in forensics, jumped at the opportunity to gain this experience. She has enjoyed the knowledge, advice, and stories Allen has shared.
"It's a really good opportunity for cadets to learn about their possible future branch," Kinzie said. "And it's a really fun thing to learn about aviation."
Retired Lt. Col. Heath Williams, UNG's director of federal liaison and military education coordinator, is excited cadets can take advantage of this course. As one of four officers to commission from UNG into the aviation branch in 1989, he had no such training while in the Corps of Cadets. Though he and his classmates graduated from the Army's flight school, he is glad current cadets will have a leg up when trying to become officers in the aviation branch.
"We want to give our cadets all the tools they need to be successful in their preferred branch," Williams said.
Cadets ready to lead as officers
UNG 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 UNG's Dahlonega Campus.
Ranger Challenge team competes at Sandhurst
The UNG 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 UNG Ranger Challenge team will compete in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition from May 1-2 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Cadets lead the way at Small Arms Championship
The UNG Combat Action Shooting Team swept the top two spots in the cadet team division of the U.S. Army Small Arms Championship.