Organizations Provide New Cadet Opportunities
Cadets for a Cause and the Corps Marksmanship Unit are two of the new Corps of Cadets organizations that started in recent years, each meeting a unique need for cadets.
Cadets for a Cause
By Cadet Jenner Johnson ’23
In spring 2020, Cadets Jenner Johnson ’23 and Harrison Ochoco ’23 saw a need for a cadet organization dedicated to service. As a result, they founded Cadets for a Cause.
Cadets for a Cause is a community service-based organization that conducts service projects ranging from one-time to annual events. The group’s leadership team works to instill the organizational values of humility, integrity, honor, and dedication while supporting fellow cadets in the development of their leadership, managerial, and interpersonal social skills.
Many cadets have causes they support but have no outlet to organize such events. Cadets for a Cause has resources to complete such goals.
Cadets for a Cause serves those in the local community, as well as the broader U.S. military family.
Our purpose is to demonstrate the university motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), through action and to unify the Corps under a common cause: to serve others.
This spring, the team, advised by 1st Battalion Deputy Commandant Col. Craig Alia, conducted several service projects.
In February, Cadets for a Cause completed its first event in partnership with the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. Within two weeks, the regiment completed 600,465 push-ups. The event was more than just a push-up competition — each donation or sponsorship provided scholarship funds to the children and family members of our nation’s fallen or disabled.
Cadets for a Cause also co-sponsored an event with the New River Valley chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that makes beds for children that do not have a place to sleep. Cadets built 40 beds for those in need.
New members also came on board. They will work to develop their character and leadership capabilities, as well as gain valuable skills with logistics.
Members also have opportunities for meetings with Corps alumni and supporters, nonprofit organizations, and professors.
Mentorship will give cadets a unique outlook on managerial and organizational skills. By planning and running service events, cadets obtain invaluable experience and are introduced to the world of charitable work.
As a young cadet-led organization, Cadets for a Cause is incredibly grateful for the generous friends, family, and alumni who have helped us reach our goal of demonstrating Ut Prosim through action. We are excited to establish and grow a new Corps organization.
Corps Marksmanship Unit
By Cadet Edward Zhou ’23
The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Marksmanship Unit is one of the newest Corps organizations, and it has been busy making a name for itself.
Founded in 2019, the Marksmanship Unit is a highly selective organization within the Corps of Cadets.
The unit competes nationally in the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP), multi-gun, steel challenge, and others.
The unit was founded to allow cadets who had competed in shooting sports in high school to continue at the collegiate level, combining competitive shooting with tactical training for their future military careers. Prior to the unit’s inception, only trap and skeet shooting were offered as club sports at Virginia Tech.
To become a member, cadets undergo a rigorous selection process in the spring semester of their freshman year. This year, 104 cadets — over a quarter of the freshman class — started the process with only four being ultimately selected.
Candidates are tested for their attention to detail, performance under stress, and skill, and they additionally must be recommended by their fellow freshmen.
Once on the team, cadets train to perfect their skills with a variety of firearms and calibers in both precision and speed disciplines, with a focus on competition and future combat applications as officers in their various military branches.
In spring 2019, cadets attended SASP Collegiate Nationals just a few weeks after the team was approved by the Corps. With only two live-fire practices completed and a small contingent of four shooters, the team managed to take third place in optic pistol, a division dominated by shooting teams that have been around for decades.
Over the course of the academic year, the team continued to practice and compete despite the difficulties imposed by COVID-19. The team was able to compete in multiple virtual matches, improving its scores with each outing and winning several matches outright.
That hard work and dedication culminated in the 2021 SASP Collegiate Nationals. In contrast to the previous year, the unit brought 11 cadets to compete across numerous disciplines. They secured numerous victories in their respective divisions, including:
- Team 1: Adam Jardines ’23, Edward Zhou ’23, Cooper Rapp ’22, and Mitch McClure ’24, first place in centerfire pistol optic and rimfire pistol iron sights
- Team 2: Stanley Brown ’21, Briscoe Nance ’23, Samuel Boin ’24, and Jacob Bush ’24, second place in rimfire pistol iron sights and rimfire pistol optics.
- Team 3: Cooper Rapp ’22, Jacob Withers ’22, Hunter Lambert ’23, and Cole Shackelford ’23, third place in rimfire rifle iron sights and rimfire rifle optic
Follow the Corps Marksmanship Unit’s progress and support the cadets on Facebook and Instagram.