One Squadron's Legacy

By VTCC Cadet Historian Staff and Cmdr. Nate Brown '98, Alumni Director

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.  

The 1973-74 school year was L Squadron’s first year.  Deborah (Noss) Ayers ’75 was the first commander of L Squadron and women cadets were housed on the first floor of Monteith Hall, which they shared with civilian students. Physically separated from other units in the Corps, a noticable first issue came to light: the lack of established uniforms for women cadets. A decision was made that the female uniform would be similar to the male uniforms, with gray tops and skirts. Grooming, physical training, and drill standards also needed to be established. L Squadron cadets had a hand in making these decisions. According to a 1998 interview with the Corps’ first Black female cadet and L Squadron commander for the 1974-75 school year, Cheryl (Butler) MacDonald ’76 said, “We looked to the military services for a lot of stuff for uniform wear and dressing appearance, because the Corps didn't have anything for us to look to.”

After some debate, the U.S. Air Force female grooming standards were adopted for the women cadets and the already-existing physical training test was modified to permit women cadets to run 1.5 instead of 2 miles. Drill standards proved to be more challenging to establish because women cadets were not allowed to carry rifles while in uniform. Senior females were also not allowed to carry sabers or wear senior capes.  

While working to overcome those issues, the women of L Squadron also worked to establish an identity for their unit. MacDonald said, “We got to form our identity and establish the fact that women really could be a legitimate part of the Corps, and we got to do it our way. We got the respect and their trust and it made it easier when the integration finally did happen.” 

They sought ways to prove themselves to the male cadets, including drilling frequently to remove any chances of being belittled by other squadrons or companies. By L Squadron's second year, they were more widely accepted by others in the Corps and by civilians on campus.  

“The first year I didn't feel like we were that much a part of the Corps. The next two years I think everyone else was more used to us being there so we weren't an afterthought like we were the first year in a lot of cases,” said MacDonald.  Under MacDonald’s command during L Squadron’s second year, they won the prestigious and highly sought after Kohler Cup for precision drilling. 

Ayers and MacDonald would be followed in command of L Squadron by Emily (Pillsbury) Davis ’77, Janet (James) Escobedo ’77, Victoria (Cox) Mouras ’78, and Julie Davila ’79.  The 1978-79 school year would be the last for an all-female L Squadron, as it was decided that the Corps would fully incorporate the members of L Squadron into the historically all-male companies.     

The legacy of the women of L Squadron paved the way for future generations of female cadets, leaving an indelible mark on the Corps and the military as a whole.  Because of their courage, creativity, and resilience, other exceptional women cadets in the Corps continue to thrive, creating a proud, living history of women cadet achievements in the regiment. 

Notable Achievements for Women in the Corps 

DEBORAH (NOSS) AYERS ’75 

First female company commander 

(L Squadron 1973-74) 

CHERYL (BUTLER) MACDOANLD ’76

First Black female cadet

First Black female company commander 

(L Squadron 1974-75) 

SELENA S. DAUGHTREY ’80 

First female company commander of a 

historically male company 

(F Squadron 1979-80)  

BARBARA (RUSSELL) BUCKNAM ’83

First female battalion commander 

(2nd Battalion, 1982-83) 

SANDRA SIEGRIST ’85

First female regimental executive officer 

(1984-85) 

DENISE (SHUSTER) GREENFIELD ’88

First female regimental commander 

(1987-88) 

LORI L. KECK ’92

First female drum major 

(1991-92) 

CHRISTINA ROYAL ’06

First black female regimental commander 

(Fall 2005)