Citizen-Leader Continues to Serve Campus Community
By Ken Mallory '06, Director, Citizen-Leader Track
It is common practice for the incoming spring regimental commander of the Corps of Cadets to observe the few staff meetings remaining in the fall, to better prepare for the role they will step into upon starting their tenure the following semester. But Cadet Thomas Feely, who had recently been named for that role, missed his very first staff meeting.
In a follow-up email to staff, Col. Craig Alia (at the time serving as the 1st Battalion deputy commandant) explained to the interim commandant the reason for Cadet Feely missing the meeting: the cadet was helping deliver a baby in the front seat of a car in a parking lot. Tongue-in-cheek, Alia went on to assure the staff that while it was the best excuse he had heard for missing a meeting, Feely would still be counseled on the expectations of his multitasking in his future role.
For those that know Feely, the story is not surprising. In his four years at Virginia Tech, he has used every opportunity to learn, grow, and excel in his academic, professional, and cadet career.
Virginia Tech, however, wasn’t his original plan. “I originally applied to the U.S. Naval Academy, had my congressional appointment in the works, and a doctor's visit made that all go away. I had to pivot and look elsewhere. So, I applied early-decision to Virginia Tech.” Citing in large part the Corps of Cadets’ first-of-its-kind Citizen-Leader Track and Virginia Tech’s well-known engineering programs as factors in his decision to attend, Feely joined the Corps in the fall of 2021. “New Cadet Week felt like a leadership camp I’d done in high school, and I loved it,” says Feely. “I had a great first sergeant and company commander who gave us purposeful training; we worked hard, but it was useful and productive.”
At the end of the fall semester, though, he almost dropped out. “I was frustrated; I didn’t feel challenged by my academics in general engineering and wanted to abandon my pursuit of ocean engineering, but stay in the Corps.” With the encouragement of his parents and motivated by high school friends in the construction industry, Feely switched to construction engineering and management. He also doubled down on the Corps and his commitment to service by joining the Eagle Scout Association and Virginia Tech Rescue in the spring of his first year. “I loved service and helping others,” says Feely, “but I was overcommitting and doing too much.” He persevered and found a way to contribute and succeed. “I didn’t have the time to be a great provider at VT Rescue, but I could drive ambulances. So, I drove ambulances. I did what I could.” He steadily advanced and is now the communications officer, new station project manager, and assistant to the chief. Feely recalls, “I was able to take what I learned in the Corps and focus on what I was passionate about.” Part of his duties as station project manager now involve the planning for a major upgrade to VT Rescue facilities, meshing perfectly with his major and coursework, while he also interns with the Office of the University Building Official.
Finding success as a student and volunteer, Feely then turned his sights on the Corps of Cadets. He was accepted to the second cohort of the Defense Civilian Training Corps pilot program at Virginia Tech, a two-year scholarship program preparing graduates for civilian careers within the Department of Defense. He also put his name in the hat to give back and step up to lead, a common theme for Feely. “At the end of the day, I want to leave this place better for the next group of students.”
One of his personal mentors and friends convinced him to serve as a cadre sergeant, training the Class of 2027 as first-year cadets. When the time came to apply for positions for senior year, “I checked every box that I could for leadership, and told anyone that would listen to put me where they needed me.” During this time, Feely volunteered to serve as the 1st Battalion honor representative, not because it was a huge role, but because it provided an opportunity to observe the decision-making process at the battalion level via weekly meetings. In his senior year, he was selected to serve as the Alpha Company commander, and it was off to the races from there. Feely recalls, “I didn’t apply for [company commander] exclusively; when Col. Alia selected me, it was a total surprise.”
To know Feely is to see that he is a true ambassador of every organization to which he attaches himself. He uses his connections across campus to build bridges, connect people, and solve problems. His recent appointment as the undergraduate representative to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors for the 2025-2026 academic year further defines his eagerness to serve his community of fellow undergraduate students. “Advocacy isn’t speaking for someone but establishing an environment where they can speak for themselves, and have a platform of their own, and I feel like I can provide that,” said Feely.
Feely graduated from the Corps this May with the Class of 2025, and while he will graduate with his undergraduate engineering degree in another year, he credits the Corps and the Citizen-Leader Track for getting him where he is today. Practical experiences like JOBEX, an annual Citizen-Leader Track career fair and hiring training exercise, provided an opportunity to practice marketing Corps experiences for the civilian workplace. “The Citizen-Leader Track prepared me with real skills, which empowered me to go out and crush real interviews,” said Feely. “The Corps gave me the opportunity to develop myself and my peers. It’s why I’m here. I’m a person I didn’t know I could be when I started here. That’s what this place is all about.”