Va Tech Corps of Cadets Leadership Question

[CPQ]

Wondering if anyone has input regarding the Va Tech Corps of Cadets Management at the Depty Comm and below level? Do you feel like your cadet is in good hands, they have your cadet's learning, development and future in mind? We are looking for a program with a management group that is a fit for a student who is looking for a long military career. Thank you in advance for your input -- we don't really know where to go to get this input.

 

[nick4060]

Huge caveat: my experience in the VTCC is now 8-12 years old. But I'll give my input since no one else seems to have given a reply here yet.

Wondering if anyone has input regarding the Va Tech Corps of Cadets Management at the Depty Comm and below level? Do you feel like your cadet is in good hands, they have your cadet's learning, development and future in mind?

All of the deputy commandants were different back when I was there. So I can't honestly speak to the personalities that are in place right now. But during my experience, the deputy commandants were figureheads only. They were frankly just a few retired O-5/6s who wanted an easy paycheck along with an opportunity to live in a beautiful part of the country. They were not a particularly good or bad influence on cadets. I cannot remember myself, nor any other cadets I knew, being substantially impacted or mentored by the VTCC staff in any way.

We are looking for a program with a management group that is a fit for a student who is looking for a long military career. Thank you in advance for your input -- we don't really know where to go to get this input.

With respect to this statement, I would refer you to look at the active duty officer and enlisted ROTC instructors on campus...not the retirees employed as VTCC staff members. The ROTC cadre are the gatekeepers to your son or daughter's commission and future military career. From my recollection, it was the ROTC cadre that left a lasting impression on me as a cadet. Their experiences were much more recent and relevant to us...not the VTCC staff.

I would not recommend your son or daughter attending VT in hopes that the VTCC will somehow mold them into superior officers in the long term...it won't. They should choose VT because its a beautiful campus with outstanding academic programs, top tier ROTC programs, and development opportunities outside of the VTCC. Following graduation, I had no advantage over any other second lieutenant. The same goes for when I was a first lieutenant and a captain. My fellow cadets and I were not "molded" by the VTCC staff in any way. We were in fact "molded" by the officers and SNCOs who mentored us while we were assigned to active duty units following graduation.

I would urge your son or daughter to choose a commissioning source that they will enjoy for the next four years. If they actually enjoy it, then there's a greater chance they will complete the program and commission. I can say with absolute certainty that their chances for long term career advancement will not be impacted by their commissioning source. That will be determined by their performance as officers following graduation...not by their time as a cadet.

I hope I don't come off as trying to steer you away from VT. I am extremely happy with my decision to go there...not because of the VTCC...but because that's where I met my future wife, I made lifelong friends, I got to be a part of a large and proud student body, etc.

 

[glen]

What nick4060 said is true. The SMCs are all unique places and should be chosen based on your son's interests and the life style he wants to live for 4 years. The programs at SMCs do give cadets an advantage in one sense - those who make it through 4 years do so because they develop a strong bond with each other - push each other to achieve more than perhaps they would do at another type of college or university. Beyond this - realize that military service, and branch assignments are all dependent on how a student or cadet ranks on the Order of Merit List - and academic performance in college is a very important part of the evaluation. So picking a college that he will enjoy, and course of study he is interested in, is absolutely essential. If he does poorly with either, all the rest doesn't matter. Best of luck to you all.

 

[parentalunit2]

Wondering if anyone has input regarding the Va Tech Corps of Cadets Management at the Depty Comm and below level? Do you feel like your cadet is in good hands, they have your cadet's learning, development and future in mind? We are looking for a program with a management group that is a fit for a student who is looking for a long military career. Thank you in advance for your input -- we don't really know where to go to get this input.

You do realize that any 'management group' changes over time, right? And who is this 'we' that you speak of?

 

[CPQ]

You do realize that any 'management group' changes over time, right? And who is this 'we' that you speak of?

Huge caveat: my experience in the VTCC is now 8-12 years old. But I'll give my input since no one else seems to have given a reply here yet.



All of the deputy commandants were different back when I was there. So I can't honestly speak to the personalities that are in place right now. But during my experience, the deputy commandants were figureheads only. They were frankly just a few retired O-5/6s who wanted an easy paycheck along with an opportunity to live in a beautiful part of the country. They were not a particularly good or bad influence on cadets. I cannot remember myself, nor any other cadets I knew, being substantially impacted or mentored by the VTCC staff in any way.



With respect to this statement, I would refer you to look at the active duty officer and enlisted ROTC instructors on campus...not the retirees employed as VTCC staff members. The ROTC cadre are the gatekeepers to your son or daughter's commission and future military career. From my recollection, it was the ROTC cadre that left a lasting impression on me as a cadet. Their experiences were much more recent and relevant to us...not the VTCC staff.

I would not recommend your son or daughter attending VT in hopes that the VTCC will somehow mold them into superior officers in the long term...it won't. They should choose VT because its a beautiful campus with outstanding academic programs, top tier ROTC programs, and development opportunities outside of the VTCC. Following graduation, I had no advantage over any other second lieutenant. The same goes for when I was a first lieutenant and a captain. My fellow cadets and I were not "molded" by the VTCC staff in any way. We were in fact "molded" by the officers and SNCOs who mentored us while we were assigned to active duty units following graduation.

I would urge your son or daughter to choose a commissioning source that they will enjoy for the next four years. If they actually enjoy it, then there's a greater chance they will complete the program and commission. I can say with absolute certainty that their chances for long term career advancement will not be impacted by their commissioning source. That will be determined by their performance as officers following graduation...not by their time as a cadet.

I hope I don't come off as trying to steer you away from VT. I am extremely happy with my decision to go there...not because of the VTCC...but because that's where I met my future wife, I made lifelong friends, I got to be a part of a large and proud student body, etc.

Thank you very much, this is extremely helpful.

 

[CPQ]

You do realize that any 'management group' changes over time, right? And who is this 'we' that you speak of?

Yes I do realize that, and the current group will impact my student. The we is our family of course as we review the options presented.

What nick4060 said is true. The SMCs are all unique places and should be chosen based on your son's interests and the life style he wants to live for 4 years. The programs at SMCs do give cadets an advantage in one sense - those who make it through 4 years do so because they develop a strong bond with each other - push each other to achieve more than perhaps they would do at another type of college or university. Beyond this - realize that military service, and branch assignments are all dependent on how a student or cadet ranks on the Order of Merit List - and academic performance in college is a very important part of the evaluation. So picking a college that he will enjoy, and course of study he is interested in, is absolutely essential. If he does poorly with either, all the rest doesn't matter. Best of luck to you all.

Thank you, very helpful.

 

[CPQ]

What nick4060 said is true. The SMCs are all unique places and should be chosen based on your son's interests and the life style he wants to live for 4 years. The programs at SMCs do give cadets an advantage in one sense - those who make it through 4 years do so because they develop a strong bond with each other - push each other to achieve more than perhaps they would do at another type of college or university. Beyond this - realize that military service, and branch assignments are all dependent on how a student or cadet ranks on the Order of Merit List - and academic performance in college is a very important part of the evaluation. So picking a college that he will enjoy, and course of study he is interested in, is absolutely essential. If he does poorly with either, all the rest doesn't matter. Best of luck to you all.

thank you!

 

[CPQ]

Huge caveat: my experience in the VTCC is now 8-12 years old. But I'll give my input since no one else seems to have given a reply here yet.



All of the deputy commandants were different back when I was there. So I can't honestly speak to the personalities that are in place right now. But during my experience, the deputy commandants were figureheads only. They were frankly just a few retired O-5/6s who wanted an easy paycheck along with an opportunity to live in a beautiful part of the country. They were not a particularly good or bad influence on cadets. I cannot remember myself, nor any other cadets I knew, being substantially impacted or mentored by the VTCC staff in any way.



With respect to this statement, I would refer you to look at the active duty officer and enlisted ROTC instructors on campus...not the retirees employed as VTCC staff members. The ROTC cadre are the gatekeepers to your son or daughter's commission and future military career. From my recollection, it was the ROTC cadre that left a lasting impression on me as a cadet. Their experiences were much more recent and relevant to us...not the VTCC staff.

I would not recommend your son or daughter attending VT in hopes that the VTCC will somehow mold them into superior officers in the long term...it won't. They should choose VT because its a beautiful campus with outstanding academic programs, top tier ROTC programs, and development opportunities outside of the VTCC. Following graduation, I had no advantage over any other second lieutenant. The same goes for when I was a first lieutenant and a captain. My fellow cadets and I were not "molded" by the VTCC staff in any way. We were in fact "molded" by the officers and SNCOs who mentored us while we were assigned to active duty units following graduation.

I would urge your son or daughter to choose a commissioning source that they will enjoy for the next four years. If they actually enjoy it, then there's a greater chance they will complete the program and commission. I can say with absolute certainty that their chances for long term career advancement will not be impacted by their commissioning source. That will be determined by their performance as officers following graduation...not by their time as a cadet.

I hope I don't come off as trying to steer you away from VT. I am extremely happy with my decision to go there...not because of the VTCC...but because that's where I met my future wife, I made lifelong friends, I got to be a part of a large and proud student body, etc.

not sure if I responded - but thank you very much. This is really helpful.