The Citadel

The statutory obligation is law, so yes. For the Army, cadets may choose to serve entirely in the Reserve. However, the total obligation is 8 years regardless of whether part of it is on AD. If a cadet gets a Reserve commission upon graduation they must serve 8 years in the Reserve (some of that time can be in the IRR).


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If you're a cadet at a senior military college and you're on a commissioning tract, the ratio of cadets to non-cadets attending the school is really not a big deal. The rule is, if you're a cadet at an SMC, you're a cadet 24/7 living in military barracks. If your school happens to have a non-cadet factor, that can be a big bonus in terms of mimicking what life is like in the real world, and in the real Army, and makes you a community leader with the real world experience of dealing with non-military leaders and citizens in your community.

At UNG, there is great emphasis on cadets getting involved in the non-cadet community as fraternity/sorority leaders, club team captains, service club leadership teams, student government, even getting involved in community service at the local Chamber of Commerce, fire department, rescue services, etc. It gives cadets plenty of opportunities to practice and prove their leadership training.
 
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payitforward said:
At UNG, there is great emphasis on cadets getting involved in the non-cadet community as fraternity/sorority leaders, club team captains, service club leadership teams, student government, even getting involved in community service at the local Chamber of Commerce, fire department, rescue services, etc. It gives cadets plenty of opportunities to practice and prove their leadership training.
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Good Post and Points to Ponder.....
 
Cluelessparent said:
payitforward said:
At UNG, there is great emphasis on cadets getting involved in the non-cadet community as fraternity/sorority leaders, club team captains, service club leadership teams, student government, even getting involved in community service at the local Chamber of Commerce, fire department, rescue services, etc. It gives cadets plenty of opportunities to practice and prove their leadership training.
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Good Post and Points to Ponder.....
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Very good point--they do the same sort of thing at Va Tech and Texas A&M as well. Indeed, the Citadel and other SMCs may have more access to these opportunities with their civilian counterparts than the Service Academies and VMI. Points to consider when deciding where to go...
 
This does not apply to The Citadel as our civilians attend school in the evening and most of these are graduate students. Sounds like a great opportunity though for students attending SMC's where cadets and civilians attend school together.
 
NAS said:
Very good point--they do the same sort of thing at Va Tech and Texas A&M as well. Indeed, the Citadel and other SMCs may have more access to these opportunities with their civilian counterparts than the Service Academies and VMI. Points to consider when deciding where to go...
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No it is not an option at The Citadel as in Fraternities, Sororities, Fire Dept etc. No time for that.... the Corp is your Brotherhood full time! Leave from the GATES is short and hard to come by, especially early on.
And I am not aware of any Non Cadet students attending day classes with Cadets at The Citadel other than maybe a hand full of Veterans. The Citadel does have a graduate night program open to a Non- Cadet population as has been discussed, or pointed out in detail by some :)

However as I am sure with all Cadet programs at all colleges, SMC or not, Citadel Cadets participate in community charity type work. I think what UNG is doing is a great thing for a program with a large mix population Cadet vs Non-Cadet.
 
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Cluelessparent said:
NAS said:
Very good point--they do the same sort of thing at Va Tech and Texas A&M as well. Indeed, the Citadel and other SMCs may have more access to these opportunities with their civilian counterparts than the Service Academies and VMI. Points to consider when deciding where to go...
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No it is not an option at The Citadel as in Fraternities, Sororities, Fire Dept etc. No time for that.... the Corp is your Brotherhood full time! Leave from the GATES is short and hard to come by, especially early on.
And I am not aware of any Non Cadet students attending day classes with Cadets at The Citadel other than maybe a hand full of Veterans. The Citadel does have a graduate night program open to a Non- Cadet population as has been discussed, or pointed out in detail by some :)

However as I am sure with all Cadet programs at all colleges, SMC or not, Citadel Cadets participate in community charity type work. I think what UNG is doing is a great thing for a program with a large mix population Cadet vs Non-Cadet.
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And once again as stated earlier (with more clarification this time)...
the Citadel (because of the civilian day/night programs, online program, graduate college, 2+2 program with the local community college, etc.) along with the other senior military colleges MOST CERTAINLY has MORE access to opportunities with civilian counterparts and programs THAN the Service Academies and VMI. Does not detract from or degrade these schools, is simply a difference... Just points to consider when deciding where to go... ;)
 
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Without delving too deep into the graduate programs or civilian student piece I know that talking to a VMI administrator when I was a Cadet the issue that kept VMI from pursuing this avenue at any point was that in this administrator's opinion it detracted funding, energy and direction from undergraduate programs. The pot of money from the Commonwealth was only so big (and has gotten much smaller in the 12 years since that conversation) and the same goes for other funding sources plus the emotional energy and the cost in terms of infrastructure. I think in a place like VA Tech or Texas A&M that works in the Corps benefit in that they reap the advantages of the nationallly competiitive athletic programs and recognized university status. My understanding for the reasoning behind the civilian, graduate and evening components at the Citadel, UNG and Norwich is that it was a path to economic viability in the 1960s and 70s when SMCs popularity ebbed and several were forced to close.
 
emwvmi01 said:
Without delving too deep into the graduate programs or civilian student piece I know that talking to a VMI administrator when I was a Cadet the issue that kept VMI from pursuing this avenue at any point was that in this administrator's opinion it detracted funding, energy and direction from undergraduate programs. The pot of money from the Commonwealth was only so big (and has gotten much smaller in the 12 years since that conversation) and the same goes for other funding sources plus the emotional energy and the cost in terms of infrastructure. I think in a place like VA Tech or Texas A&M that works in the Corps benefit in that they reap the advantages of the nationallly competiitive athletic programs and recognized university status. My understanding for the reasoning behind the civilian, graduate and evening components at the Citadel, UNG and Norwich is that it was a path to economic viability in the 1960s and 70s when SMCs popularity ebbed and several were forced to close.
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True--these programs can be both a benefit and a distraction from the core mission of the Corps. In the case of online programs, many otherwise traditional "brick and mortar" schools are finding that these programs cost very little to run and bring in easy dollars quickly. It is definitely a financial choice some schools are making, and the "pros and cons" of such programs are completely subjective and debatable.
 
emwvmi01 said:
...My understanding for the reasoning behind the civilian, graduate and evening components at the Citadel, UNG and Norwich is that it was a path to economic viability in the 1960s and 70s when SMCs popularity ebbed and several were forced to close.
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For the record, North Georgia has had a civilian population since its founding in 1873. The first graduating class in 1879 included 3 men and a woman.
 
payitforward said:
emwvmi01 said:
...My understanding for the reasoning behind the civilian, graduate and evening components at the Citadel, UNG and Norwich is that it was a path to economic viability in the 1960s and 70s when SMCs popularity ebbed and several were forced to close.
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For the record, North Georgia has had a civilian population since its founding in 1873. The first graduating class in 1879 included 3 men and a woman.
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True--I've heard North Georgia is different because it was an agricultural college first, then shifted to a military focus in 1890-ish. I've also heard it's not to be confused with Georgia Military College. North Georgia was also originally a U.S. Mint, if my memory serves correctly.
 
NAS said:
True--I've heard North Georgia is different because it was an agricultural college first, then shifted to a military focus in 1890-ish. I've also heard it's not to be confused with Georgia Military College. North Georgia was also originally a U.S. Mint, if my memory serves correctly.
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All true: The iconic gold steeple building on campus sits where the U.S. Mint was originally located. The school was originally an agricultural and mining engineering college located in the fertile Blue Ridge Mountains at the site of the first gold rush in the U.S. The current drill field used to be routinely planted with crops students used as their lab. Pictures showing the drill field fully ready for harvest are quite intriguing. Rumors abound about a submarine being buried under it now, but most of us don't believe stuff we can't see with our own eyes ;)

University of North Georgia is a senior military college. Georgia Military College is not.
 
Received an email today about the Citadel's Summer Success Institute (summer program that allows you to acclimate, secure college credit in advance of the school year, etc). Anyone here participate in the program before?
 
Yeah, I am thinking of attending csi, does it help a lot? Do a lot of people travel to go to it? I would have to travel a ways to go, and I was wondering if anyone else has. does it help to acclimate to the climate such as area and weather?
 
Sorry I can offer no inside info on CSI. As far as help acclimate to the weather and area, of course. It will be in the Summer during the most brutal of climate you would expect to endure. Do your PT and runs during CSI and of course you would be ahead of the game as a knob vs doing them in an area with totally different climate.
I do not know how restrictive campus leave time is for CSI or even if there is a curfew for CSI. But if free time is allowed it would be great to spend time in the Charleston area before your are locked down as a knob. Great downtown area, history, scenery of all kinds, eats, beach etc.
 
I've seen many a post in the forums about CSI. Search for that, or, if that doesn't satisfy, start a new thread. Chances are good you'll find someone who went last year and can provide personal input.
 
Don't do CSI. It'll help acclimate you, but it'll waste your last summer at home. I did it last year and regret it a lot. No matter what you do, knob year sucks and there's no proper preparation to hell week.
 
My son is a knob this year and my advice would be to go to CSI if you can afford it. While it may help to acclimate you to weather, the more important part is getting in the mindset before all hell breaks loose and getting to talk to upperclassmen that can offer some great insight to you before the 4th class system begins. Depending on your major, it may also benefit you to take that one extra class during the summer before your 19-22 credit hour semesters start. It's a good boost for your cummulative GPA if you do well. Learning your way around campus and all the customs is also beneficial prior to Matriculation. My son still hangs out with friends he made during CSI even tho they are not in the same company. Just my two cents. Good luck!
 
SGTLee said:
Received an email today about the Citadel's Summer Success Institute (summer program that allows you to acclimate, secure college credit in advance of the school year, etc). Anyone here participate in the program before?
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My son is in his 3rd year at The Citadel. He did attend CSI and found it beneficial. He was able to get an idea of what to expect, get tips from upperclassmen on how knob year plays out. He was also able to get a jump on a bit of "knob knowledge" as well as physical training and as another poster pointed out those extra credit hours were helpful in that he did not have to overload himself the first semester as he adjusted to knob life. Also, if you are not from the southeastern portion of the US, it may also be beneficial in helping you acclimate to the climate. It is very hot here during the summer and if you are not accustomed to the heat and humidity, it can be unbearable. Fortunately for my son, we live one state away from SC and our climate is nearly identical to that of Charleston.
 
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