Corps Review: Spring 2023

The Corps first admitted women to its ranks in the fall of 1973 with the formation of L Squadron, an all-women unit. No other service academy or senior military college in the country had yet permitted women to join, and Virginia Tech was the first to venture into the unknown territory of women at collegiate military schools. Serving as true trailblazers in the Corps and the nation, the women of L Squadron faced many challenges and paved the way for decades of women to follow in their footsteps.

With the 50th anniversary of women in the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets approaching next semester, a group of women in the Corps has given the cadet regiment yet another reason to celebrate. These cadets weren’t in the standard wool uniform and their drill in the early morning hours looked a little bit different. Much like a military unit marching, they worked in unison, but noticeably missing were the sounds of heels hitting pavement and Skipper firing. Instead, a bouncing basketball and scrambling feet echoed during their drill on the court, a drill that has paid off for three years running.

Earlier this semester, six Virginia Tech cadets, six civilian students, and two advisors traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the International Model NATO summit hosted by Howard University. This incredible opportunity was made possible by a partnership between the Center for European Union, Transatlantic, and Trans-European Space Studies - a Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, the Political Science department, and the Corps’ Rice Center for Leader Development.

The end of the 2023 spring semester sees two long term Rice Center projects come to fruition thanks to the hard work and partnership of the commandant’s staff and cadet leadership.