NLC offers preview of cadet life

High school students will have a chance to get a first-hand view of life in the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Corps of Cadets during the National Leadership Challenge (NLC) weekend set for March 22-24.  

These students will take part in leadership reaction courses at the Pine Valley Recreation Complex, where they will practice teamwork and develop their problem-solving skills. Among many other activities, they will develop confidence while rappelling down a 60-foot sheer rock cliff at Camp Merrill, the Army's mountain Ranger training camp. The event serves as a major recruiting tool for the Corps of Cadets.

One of six federally designated senior military colleges, UNG is the Military College of Georgia and commissions about 100 second lieutenants each year for the Army, Georgia Army National Guard and Army Reserve. UNG is the lone Army-only senior military college. More than 60 alumni have gone on to become flag officers. 

Katelynn Melko, a sophomore from Acworth, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration, originally had her heart set on attending the Naval Academy. But thanks to a family friend, she found out about NLC.  

"I got to see what life was like at a senior military college as opposed to a service academy," Melko said. "I liked the mix of cadets and civilians instead of the military lifestyle 24/7." 

Matthew Ctibor, a sophomore from Milner, Georgia, pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies, is another of those who experienced NLC and then decided to attend UNG. He especially enjoyed the activities at Pine Valley.  

"It really challenged us to think outside of the box and bond with each other," Ctibor said. "We had to communicate well. We had to learn how to lead in different styles." 

He acknowledged the learning curve both at NLC and as a cadet, but he wouldn't have it any other way.  

"The people you surround yourself with and the opportunities you get make it worth it," Ctibor said. "NLC is a great way for people to see how they can grow and how they want to develop themselves in the future." 

Melko, who enlisted in the Army National Guard in November, plans to attend law school after graduating and commissioning as a second lieutenant from UNG. Her goal is to become part of the Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps.  

Ctibor plans to commission as an air defense artillery second lieutenant in the Army upon graduation, then eventually become a science teacher. 

"I enjoy teaching people and helping shape them into the best version of who they can be," Ctibor said.  

Both Melko and Ctibor hope others will use NLC to see if UNG's Corps of Cadets is right for them. 

"Keep your options open, especially when it comes to applying to college," Melko said. "UNG is a great place to have as one of those options. NLC will help you experience what UNG has to offer." 

NLC is designed for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors on a college preparatory curriculum with at least a 2.8 GPA and costs $149. The application deadline is March 20.