VIRGINIA TECH CORPS OF CADETS STRATEGIC PLAN

VIRGINIATECHCORPSOFCADETSSTRATEGICPLAN

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Strategic Plan 2020 to 2025

Introduction

Thisplanisanupdatetothepreviousstrategicplanfortheyears2015-2025.Thisnewversionincorporateselementsofthepreviousplanbutisstructuredtoprovideaframeworkforongoingreviews,revisions,andactionplanning.Itisextendedovera5-yearperiodtocorrespondtotherequestedstrategicplanninghorizonoftheuniversityof3-6years.AstheCorpsbenefitsimmenselyfromitsrelationshipwithitsalumni,wehavecollaboratedwiththeleadershipoftheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsAlumni,Inc.(VTCCA)andtheleadershipoftheHighty-TightyAlumni,Inc.ThisplanisalsoupdatedtoremainsynchronizedwiththeVirginiaTechStrategicPlan-TheVirginiaTechDifference:AdvancingBeyondBoundaries.TheCorpsisthefirstandlargestlearningcommunityatVirginiaTechwithrequirementsunlikethosenormallyassociatedwithconventionalundergraduatehousingandstudentadministration.Manycadets,thoseintheMilitary-LeaderTrack,arepreparingforchallengingandvitallyimportantrolesascommissionedofficersofthenation’sArmedForces.Asignificantnumberofcadets,membersoftheVPIBattalion(Citizen-LeaderTrack),willbeleadersinthepublic,private,andsocialsectorsofoursociety.Toprepare,cadetsarechallengedeachday,allday,byexperientiallearninginthepracticalapplicationsofleadershiptheory,andencouragedbyfrequentevaluationinpositionsofever-increasingresponsibility.MembershipintheCorpshasbeenandremainsawayoflife.SincetheinceptionofVirginiaTech,theCorpsofCadetshasbeentheguardianof,andthestandardbearerfor,UtProsim.Thepurposeofthisplanistoensureweneverwaiverfromthatrole.

DEDICATION and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsStrategicPlanremainsindebtedtoHenryJ.Dekker,pastRectoroftheVirginiaTechBoardofVisitorsandChairmanEmeritusoftheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsAlumni,Inc.Mr.DekkerwasinstrumentalinchartingthedirectionoftheCorpswithhiswisdomandinsightscapturedinthefirststrategicplanfortheCorpsin1997andsustainedthroughouthislife.Mr.DekkerpassedawayonJune11th,2011.Hewillalwaysberemembered.Wealsoacknowledgetheworkandthevisionofpastcommandantsofcadets.Theirworkandearlierstrategicplansservedasaforcefulexampleofthepowerofideastoharnesstheenergyofmany.TheCorpswillsucceedinitsmissionbyconstantlyupdatingandimplementingthisplantodirectthecollaborativeeffortsofmanydiverseparties.Therehavebeenandwillcontinuetobemanycontributorsandparticipantsfocusingtheirowngoals,objectives,andactionstosupportthisplanandachievetangible,physicalresults.TheprofessionalcontributionsoftheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsAlumni,Inc.andtheHighty-TightyAlumni,Inc.areespeciallynoteworthybecauseofexemplaryalumnicommitmenttomaketheCorpsofCadetsthenation’spremierleaderdevelopmentprogram.

//Signed// //Signed//Randal D. Fullhart J. Pearson Major General, USAF (Ret) Chairman, VTCCA, Inc. CommandantofCadets //Signed//

Charles Rowell President, HTA, Inc.

TheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsMissionStatementandVision,

MissionThemissionoftheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsistograduateleadersofexemplarycharacterwhoareinstilledwiththevaluesandskillsessentialforleadershipsuccessinservicetothenation.VisionThevisionoftheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsis:Global,EthicalLeadersNow...MorethanEverGlobal...expressingthediversenatureofthemakeupourCorps...andtheglobalnatureofourgraduates’work.Ethical...encompassingmoral,legal,honor,ethics,andrespectforall...doingtherightthing...always.Now...MorethanEver:Asenseofurgencyandasenseofquantitybecausethechallenges(andopportunities)arenumerous,demandourimmediateattention,anddrivethedemandforsuchleaders.

AnAssessmentoftheVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsRecentRevitalizationEfforts

HistoricalBackground:Transitionfromthe20thCenturytothe21stCenturySinceitsfoundingin1872,theCorpsofCadetshasstrivedtobeasuperbinstitutionforleaderdevelopment.TheCorpshasproducedover100generalsandadmiralsplussevenMedalofHonorrecipients,andthousandsofsuccessfulbusiness,publicservice,andcommunityleaders.PastselectionfortheGovernor’sstatewideawardforvolunteerismandcommunityserviceisbutoneofseveralexampleswheretheCorpsepitomizestheuniversitymotto“UtProsim,ThatIMayServe”.

Inthe1960s,whenthepolicyofmandatorymembershipintheCorpsofCadetsended,thechallengebegantosustainavibrantprogram.Bythelate1980s,theVirginiaTechCorpsofCadetsstruggledforitsveryexistenceandviability.Enrollment,academicrigor,andprestigeoftheuniversityhadrisenbutthefocusandcommitmentfortheCorps’leaderdevelopmentprogramwasonthewane.Nonetheless,theDepartmentoftheNavyrecognizedthepotentialofVirginiaTechasafederally-designatedSeniorMilitaryCollegeandasasourceofableNavyandMarineofficers.Anagreementwasmadein1983toplaceaNavalReserveOfficerTrainingCorpsunitoncampus.EvenwiththeexpandingopportunitiesofferedwithNavalROTC,anadirwasreachedin1993whenanenteringfreshmanclassof137resultedinaregimentofabout400cadets.VeryfewofthoseenteringfreshmancadetswereROTCscholarshiprecipientsbecausetheuniversityhadnoincentiveprogramtoattractthemandnofocusedrecruitmentprogram.Foraperiod,theDepartmentoftheAirForceplacedtheVirginiaTechAirForceROTConprobationbecauseithadbeenunabletocommissiontheminimumexpectednumberofofficers(15)forseveralconsecutiveyears.TheArmyandNavyROTCprogramswereperilouslyclosetothesamefate--andallthreeROTCserviceheadquarters(Army,Navy,andAirForce)hadexpressedseriousconcernsabouttherelevanceandqualityoftheCorpsleaderdevelopmentprogram.DespitetheformationofanalumnigrouptorevitalizetheCorps,andcreativeinitiativesbytheCommandantandhisstaff,thereexistedwithinthe

universitycommunityaperceptionthatthedemiseoftheCorpswasirreversible.GrowthoftheCorpsTheachievementsandchallengessincetheCorpsimplementedthefirststrategicplanin1997canbeviewedthroughaprisminformedbyahistoricalbaseline.TheCorpshasnowgrowntonearly1,200cadetsbythefallof2020,resultinginthelargestregimentinoverhalfacentury.TheArmy,Navy,andAirForceROTCsareamongthetopofficerproductionprogramsinthenation--bothqualitativelyandquantitatively.Asubstantialnumberofthemostrecententeringfirst-yearcadetclasseshavebeenrecipientsofROTCscholarships,duetothegrowthoftheserviceROTCprogramsrecognizingthequalityofthegraduatesofourprograms.TheCorps’leaderdevelopmentprogramhasattractedattentionandemulationfromanumberofothercollegesanduniversities.Since1999,whenitbecamethefirstlandgrantuniversitytoawardtheacademicminorinleadershipstudiesinamilitary-structuredprogram,theCorpsandthePamplinCollegeofBusinesshavepartneredtosponsorthelargestacademicminoratVirginiaTech,withover1,000minorsconferredtograduatingcadets.

Supportedbyatwo-million-dollarendowment,theMGenW.ThomasRiceCenterforLeaderDevelopmentoffersachallengingtheoreticalandexperientialcurriculum,sponsorsanactivedistinguishedlectureseriesforthecampusandcommunity,andadministerstheminorinleadership.Beginninginfall2003,theCorpsleadershiplaboratoryearnedacademiccreditforthefirsttime,providingcadetstheopportunitytoearneightcredithoursduringtheirfour-yearcadetcareer.

Inthespringof2012,theCitizen-LeaderTracklaboratoryearnedacademiccreditasanA-F2-hourcourse,givingthesecadetstheopportunitytoearneightadditionalcredithoursoverfouryearsandbringingthemmoreinlinewiththeirROTCpeers.Internshipsareontheriseandnearly90percentoftheMaygraduatingCitizen-Leader

trackcadetsin2020hadalreadysecuredemploymentorfollow-ongraduateprogramacceptanceandover98%byearlyJune.Thefirst-yearcadetsystemhasbeenrealignedwiththecurrentpracticesofmilitarytrainingfocusingonaprofessionalenvironmentforcadetstosucceedacademically,physically,andethicallywhileprovidingclearguidancetoupper-classcadetsimplementingvalues-basedtraining.Thestructureandaprogressionofachievementinwhatwetermasthe“Red,White,andBlueTrainingSystem”hasprovenaneffectiveframeworktoaccomplishthelearningobjectivesforfirst-yearcadets.

Duringspring2000,theCorpsbecamealeaderamongtheSeniorMilitaryCollegesbylaunchingaprogressiveprogramofpracticalstudyaimedatformallypreparingeachrisingcadetclassfortheleadershippositionstheywilloccupyforthecomingyear.Ourcurriculumeducateseachcadetinrudimentaryleadershipprinciples,leadershiptraitstouseinevaluations,andcadetleaderpositionresponsibilities.TheCorpsutilizedaseriesofrealisticleadershipscenariostostimulatethoughtonresponsiblymeetingthechallengescadetsexperiencerelatedtopeerloyalty,compliancewithstandardsandregulations,andmissionaccomplishment.

Commencinginfall2000,theCorpsmovedtoasemesterleadershiprotationmodel,ratherthanthepreviouslyusedannualmodel.Thischangedoubledthenumberofleadershippositionsandopportunitiesavailabletoupper-classcadets.Infall2007,adeputycommandantwasaddedtothestafftodirecttheeffortsoftheleaderdevelopmentprogramtoaddrigortonurturingfutureleadersthroughformalinstruction,directedreadings,topicalspeakers,facilitatedseminars,writingassignments,professionalskillsforCitizen-LeaderTrackcadets,anaviationgroundschool,andacapstonecourseforcadetsinseniorclassstanding.LtColDonRussellbecamethefirstDeputyCommandantforVPIBattalion,threeSeniorEnlistedAdvisorswereadded…eachassignedtoadifferentlinebattalion.ThenetimpactofalloftheseimprovementsintheleaderdevelopmentprogramisacontinuingpositivechangeinthecultureandleadershipclimatewithintheCorpsandclarityinthevalueoftheCorpsexperienceforeachcadet.CadetsduringthisperiodattainedremarkableaccomplishmentssuchasUniversityManoftheYearin1999,2000,

2004,2006,and2011;UniversityUndergraduateLeaderoftheYearforsevenconsecutiveyears(2004through2010)andin2012;theVirginiaTechUndergraduateWomaninLeadershipAwardfor2012.TheaverageGPAfortheCorpshasbeenovera3.0forthelastseven-plusyears.TheEmergingLeaderScholarship(ELS)programcontinuesasafactorinattractingprospectiveVirginiaTechstudentsininvestigatingandultimatelyjoiningtheCorps,butinlightofrisingcostsoftuitionandroom&boardandtherecoveryoftheeconomyfromthelowin2008,theELSneedsanincreasedinfusioninordertocontinuetobeadecidingfactorforincomingcadetsandtheirparents.TheELSstrategyofawardingfinancialassistancenotonlytonationalROTCscholarshiprecipientsbutalsotoabroaderspectrumofROTCandCitizen-Leadertrackcandidatesattractedmoreapplicantsduringtheeconomicdownturn,andcancontinuetobeafactoriffundedtotheextentthatitcanbeofferedtoeveryincomingcadetatalevelthatequatestoatleastthemealplan.OurgoalistohaveitgrowtothepointitcanbeprovidedtoaCorpsofupto1,400cadets.AlongwiththeELS,informalsurveysofenteringcadetclassescontinuetoindicateanotherimportantmotivatorfortheirapplicationtotheCorpsisthefee-waiveduniversityapplication.Finally,the$1,000Highty-Tightiesscholarshipforfirst-yearcadetscontinuestohelpwithrecruitmentofbandmembers.WehaveworkedcloselywithUniversityAdmissionstomaximizethenumberofstudentsadmittedtotheuniversitywhohaveexpressedaninterestinjoiningtheCorpsandwhoarealsorecipientsofnationalROTCscholarships.Changesintheadmissionsprocesshavealsohighlightedcadetcandidateswhohavedemonstratedstrengthsinleadershipandservice-orientedaccomplishments.OneofthesignificantfeaturesofpreviousstrategicplanscalledforamajorefforttoadvertiseandmarkettheCorpsthroughoutVirginia,regionally,andnationally.Thiseffortincludedthepurchaseofnationallistsofcandidates,andsubsequentcontactviaconventionalandelectronicmailingtoeligibleprospectivestudents(andtheirparents/guardians). Over 200,000 high school students were contacted in

2016-2020 to inform them of the virtues of joining the VTCC Class of 2020. As a result, over 1,000 prospective cadets participated in virtual or in-person Spend the Night Program events. This is a program where potential cadets come and spend a night in the residence halls, accompany cadets to classes, and generally get an appreciation for what cadet life is like, or attend a Zoom session with a Corps session, cadet panels, and ROTC breakout rooms. Dedicated efforts continue to update all forms of media to better reach underrepresented prospective students, as well as current cadets promoting the Corps by returning to their hometown high schools over school breaks. State funding for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has historically been problematic. Some years ago, the state legislature created an appropriations line, Unique Military Activity (UMA) for both Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and the VTCC. Back in 2009-2010, the legislature appropriated $1,569,824 for our Corps – the same as for 2008-2009. However, the economic conditions of the Commonwealth and university resulted in a 15% decrement in that allocation. The appropriation had remained at $1.3M for the last several years. In the 2012-2013 budget, the university asked the governor to bring the per-cadet UMA funding level to the same comparable level to that of VMI or approximately $2.2M total. This funding request was not supported. We then turned to the State Legislature where a bill was introduced to raise VTCC funding by $300K of the $800K+ shortfall. In the end, only a $150K was appropriated. This did allow the Corps to hire back one of the positions that were lost in the reduction back in 2008…but was not enough to address shortfalls in other staff positions, uniforms, equipment, and operating costs. The shortfall was ultimately addressed in 2011 with an increase of $600K. This additional funded critical staffing in the form of three Senior Enlisted Advisors, an Administrative Assistant, and an Enrollment Officer. However, the gap between VMI and Virginia Tech has once again emerged and state-promoted pay raises plus rising healthcare and retirement plan costs have eroded the monies available for program enhancement. This critical need must be addressed in future budget submissions especially as it related to the planned growth in the Corps. In the university’s last comprehensive fund-raising campaign, the Corps had an original goal of $30 million. The goal was established to guarantee an enduring Corps of Cadets with $25 million directed toward the Emerging Leader Scholarship endowment; $2 million to enhance the Rice Center for Leader Development; and $3 million or more for Lane Hall renovation and

additions. This goal was later revised upward to $35M, and through the hard work and support of the staff and alumni, this goal was achieved. At the national level, Congress continued to support contracted ROTC cadets with a monthly stipend ranging from $250 to $500 depending on the number of years a cadet has been enrolled. In 2008 the Department of Defense Uniform Commutation Fee, which reimburses ROTC cadets at Virginia Tech for uniform costs, was reduced. This coupled with a growing Corps size and lack of state funding required us to increase annual uniform and maintenance fee required for each cadet, to $1,083 for a male cadet. In the ensuing years, the Corps and university have worked hard to establish a more sustainable funding stream from the Commonwealth with incremental increases each year in the range of $173,000 to cover mandatory increases in employee benefits and rising operating costs. However, that funding request was not supported by the legislature in the 2019-2020 budget. With the new plan to now grow the Corps to 1,400 cadets, the funding model will have to be revisited as additional staffing and operating costs must be considered. Finally, in addition to the newly stated university goal of growing the Corps to 1,400, comes approval by the Board of Visitors to proceed with the construction of the Corps Leadership & Military Science Building and a third residence hall with a capacity for 299 beds.

AVisionfortheFuture

TheBottomLineUpFront

Thefollowingprovidesthebroadoutlineofourfocusareasforthecomingsixyears:

• MaintainadiverseandinclusiveCorpsbetween1,350and1,400cadetstoensurefulloccupancyofournewresidencehalls.

• WorkwithUniversityAdmissionstomatchorexceedthediversitygoalssetfortheoveralluniversityundergraduatepopulation.

• Ensureanenvironmentthatisnurturingandrespectfultoallallowingforeachpersonbeingabletogrowandperformattheirmaximumpotential.

• CompletetheCorpsLeadership&MilitaryScienceBuilding.• CompletethethirdresidencehalldesignatedfortheCorps,ontheUpperQuad.

• GrowourscholarshipendowmentstoprovideanELSscholarshiptoalleligiblecadetsatthecurrentlevel.Long-term,seektheabilitytoprovidescholarshipsforcitizen-leadertrackcadetsthatareonparwithROTCscholarships.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementtoincreaseannualcampaignparticipationratetoaminimumof50%forclassesgraduatinginthemostrecent20years.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementtoincreaseendowmentssupportingtheRiceCenterforLeaderDevelopment…addinganadditionalfacultymemberandincreasedprogrammaticsupport.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementwithanobjectiveofcontinuingtohostreunionsthatareattractivetotheloyalalumnibaseofCorpsgraduates.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementtoestablishendowmentstosupporttheCorpsMuseumtoincludecuratorsalaryandprogrammaticsupport.

• Worktohelp90%ofeachyear’sgraduatesoftheCitizen-Leadertracktoachievecareerstartsorgraduateeducationstartswithinsixmonthsofgraduation.

• IncreasethenumberofparticipantsinourGlobalScholarsProgramaspartofanindependentstudyprogramforgraduationcredit.

• Enhanceanddeepencadets’understandingandcommitmenttohonorandethics.

• Maintainandfinanciallysupportamusicallywell-balancedmarchingbandcapableoffielding144piecesathomefootballgamesandsufficientadditionalmemberstocoveravarietyofvenuestoincludejazzband,stringensemble,andbrassquintet.

• GrowandcultivateaprofessionalstafftocarryoutthemissionoftheCorps.

• WorkwithUniversityBudget,Programming,andGovernmentAffairsstaffstoensureappropriateandsufficientfundingfortheCorpstomeettheuniversity’sstatedgoalsofgrowthto1,400cadets.

RecruitingandRetention

TheCorpssurpassedthe1,000cadetmarkwiththeincoming2012classandhasremainedabove1,000eversince.Inthepast,the1,000-cadetmarkwashailedasagoal.Thiswasduetoanalysis,whichindicatedthisasaminimallyoptimumrangeforprovidingright-sizedorganizationsforcadetstodeveloptheirleadingskills.First,wewillcontinuetotakestepstosteadilygrowadiverseenrollmentstabilizedbetween1,350and1,400cadetsthroughbalancedactionsofbothrecruitingandretentionbythetimethenewresidencehalliscompleted.Moreimportantlythough,ourprimaryfocusisoncontinuousimprovementofthequalityofourprogramsandtheCorpsexperiencethatcanpositivelyaffectboth.AllthreefederalmilitarydepartmentsreportpositiverecognitionoftheCorps’leaderdevelopmentprogramanditscontributioninpreparingjuniorofficersforproductiveservicewithexemplaryprofessionalandcharactervalues.Wemustensurethatouractionscontinuetoearnandretainthisreputation.Atthesametime,recognizingthatthemilitaryservicesmaycontractduetoacombinationofbudgetconcernsandchangesinnationalsecuritystrategy,wemustandaretakingstepstoincreasetheattractivenessofourleaderdevelopmentprogramsforstudentswhomaynotbeplanningtopursueamilitarycareerfollowinggraduation.

ThecombinationofEmergingLeaderScholarshipsandvigorouseffortsbytherecruitingstaff,bolsteredwithsupportfromouralumni,isresultinginareasonablenumberoffreshmenenteringtherankseachyear.Wecannotassumethatsuchnumberswillappearwithoutincreasedeffortsinallareas…inparticularthegrowthofourEmergingLeaderScholarshipstocoverallstudents.

EmergingLeaderScholarshipsandAnnualCampaignPriorityFundingTheEmergingLeaderScholarship(ELS)ProgramhasbeencreditedwithhelpingtodriveCorpsgrowth,bothquantitativelyandqualitatively,sincetheprogram’sinceptionin1995.TheCommandant’sPriorityfunds,sourcedprimarilythroughtheuniversity’sannualcampaign,providesneededfundstomakeupforanyshortfallsincommonwealthfunding,toaddressemergentneeds,andtolaunchnewinitiatives.Inrecentyears,wehaveaddedadditionalAnnualCampaigncategoriesthatareencouragingincreasedphilanthropy.Theareasnowofferedare:Commandant’sPriorities;Scholarships;MuseumSupport;GlobalScholarsSupport;Highty-TightiesSupport.Asweengageintheuniversity’scurrentmajorcampaign,amidsttherisingcostsofeducation,wewillneedtoembarkonasustainedandsubstantialexpansionofdonorsupportfortheELSprogramaswellassustainedsupportthroughourAnnualCampaignoptions.WithregardtoELSscholarships,thiswilllikelybeacombinationofendowedfundsaswellaspursuinggrantsfromphilanthropicorganizations,andpartnershipswithindustry.ThelogicalfirststepistomaintaintheabilitytoofferanELStoeveryincomingcadet.Long-term,wewishtoseektheabilitytoprovidescholarshipsforcitizen-leadertrackcadetsthatareonparwithROTCscholarships.Giventhechangingdemographicsofouralumnibase,itwillbeimportanttofocusonlegacygifts,aswellasongoingsupporttohelpensurethatallcadetsareofferedtheopportunityforanELSscholarshipStatisticswouldsuggestthatthereissignificantroomforgrowthinannualgiving,inparticularfromrecentlygraduatingclasseswhoserateofparticipationisaround15%.Givenasubstantiallysmalleralumnibaseinthecomingyears,itisimperativethatstepsaretakentomore

fullyengageandenablerecentgraduatestodevelopthehabitofgivingbacktotheCorps.TopromotethisrelationshipwithCorpsalumni,itisincreasinglyimportantthatweworkwithUniversityAdvancementtoensurethatfuturealumniprograms,inparticularreunions,offerprogramsthatareattractivetoCorpsgraduates.ThereisaconcernthatwithreducednumberofCorpsclasssizes,thatemphasiswillberemovedfromthatsegmentofalumniwhichhasproventobethemostloyaltotheuniversityasawhole.FacilitiesTheoriginalhomeoftheCorpsofCadetsiscenteredontheUpperQuad.OurdesireisthatitremainsoandtoenhancetheareainhonoroftheCorps’historyandforthebenefitofallcadets,past,present,andfuture.ResidenceHallsConstructionhasbeencompletedontwo,beautifulandfunctionalnewresidencehalls.Withthegoalofgrowingto1,400cadets,athirdresidencehall,housingupto300cadets,hasbeenapprovedforconstructionandisexpectedtostartin2021.LaneHallIn2011,theCorpshadnotoccupiedLaneHallforaroundthreedecades.Aspartofthearrangementsfornewresidencehalls,LaneHallhasbeenaddedtothelistofhistoricbuildingsonboththeCommonwealthofVirginiaandtheNationalregistry.OurintentisthatLaneHallwillremainthecenterpieceoftheUpperQuadandwillreceivesuchupdatesasnecessarytopreservethestructure.TheCommandant’sstaffiscurrentlyoccupyingtwoofthefivebaysandwilldosountilsuchtimeasthenewCorpsLeadership&MilitaryScienceBuildingiscomplete.Long-term,theuniversity’splansuggeststhattheentirebuildingwillcomebacktotheCorpsandinitialconceptsincludeheritageroomsforeachcompanyandmaintainaccessfor

equipmentasinstrumentsandmusicfortheHighty-TightiesandapotentialRegimentalArmsRoom.WiththerecentapprovaltoproceedtoconstructionoftheCorpsLeadership&MilitaryScienceBuildingweareanticipatingthisefforttoalsobeginin2021.TheCorpsLeadership&MilitaryScienceBuildingwillincludetheCommandant’sStaff,theROTCs,classrooms,twoCyber-Labclassrooms,Museum,andRiceCenterforLeaderDevelopmentlibrary.WarMemorialGymTherearetwo,on-campusfacilitiesthatsupportcadetstudentphysicalfitnessprograms:McComasHallandWarMemorialGym.TheWarMemorialGymismuchcloser,geographically,andhastheuniquelargecapacitygymnasiumsthatareusedforlargeformationphysicaltrainingoftheCorpsandROTCprograms.TheWarMemorialGymwillberenovatedstartingin2021andwelookforwardtoimprovedcapabilitiesandcapacitywhenitreopensinapproximatelyayearandahalf.ObstacleCourseTheObstacleCourseisakeyandessentialtrainingareafortheCorpsofCadetsandtheROTCs.Thetraining,physicalfitness,andteambuildingthattakesplacehereisvitallyimportantandpreparescadetsforsimilarcoursestheywillexperiencethathaveanimpactontheirselectionforcommissioning.Amuch-neededupgradewascarriedoutoverthesummerof2014andprovidesforimprovedequipmentandlong-termsustainability.Wecontinuetomakenecessaryinvestmentsinitslong-termviabilityandtoensurethatthetrainingthereremainsrelevanttoourprogram.

RappellingTowerTheRappellingTowerisanotherimportantassetforcadettrainingaswellasforotherconstituenciesonandoffcampus.Arefreshofthetowertoincludepowerwashingandpaintingwasconductedin2015.ThiswillneedtobefactoredintofuturebudgetsoftheCorpstoensurethatthefacilityismaintainedtostandards.TheFutureGiventhegoalofgrowingtheCorpsto1,400,addingathirdresidencehall,andconstructingtheCorpsLeadership&MilitaryScienceBuilding,weareonthecuspofanexcitingnewerafortheCorpsandtheuniversity.TheELSwasoriginallyestablishedtooffsetthecostofroomandboardfees.Overtimehowever,withthegrowthoftheCorpsandcertainlywiththenewresidencehalls,thecurrentELSfailstocoverallcadetsandfallswellshortofcoveringroomandboardexpenses.Thus,ourfirststepinELS/grantgrowthistoestablishenoughfundingtocoveralleligiblecadetswithanELSscholarshipandmovetowardagoalof50%coverageforroomfees.

• MaintainadiverseandinclusiveCorpsbetween1,350and1,400cadetstoensurefulloccupancyofournewresidencehalls.

• WorkwithUniversityAdmissionstomatchorexceedthediversitygoalssetfortheoveralluniversityundergraduatepopulation.

• Ensureanenvironmentthatisnurturingandrespectfultoallallowingforeachpersonbeingabletogrowandperformattheirmaximumpotential.

• CompletetheCorpsLeadership&MilitaryScienceBuilding• CompletethethirdresidencehallfortheCorps,ontheUpperQuad.

• GrowourscholarshipendowmentstoprovideanELSscholarshiptoalleligiblecadetsatthecurrentlevel.Long-

term,seektheabilitytoprovidescholarshipsforcitizen-leadertrackcadetsthatareonparwithROTCscholarships.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementtoincreaseannualcampaignparticipationratetoaminimumof50%forclassesgraduatinginthemostrecent20years.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementtoincreaseendowmentssupportingtheRiceCenterforLeaderDevelopment…addinganadditionalfacultymemberandincreasedprogrammaticsupport.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementwithanobjectiveofcontinuingtohostreunionsthatareattractivetotheloyalalumnibaseofCorpsgraduates.

ContinuedDevelopmentoftheCorps’CurriculumandExperientialProgramsLeadershipisbothascienceandanart.Leadershipcanbestudiedandlearned,butmustalsobepracticedinordertofullycomprehendandembraceitspowerandpotentialforgood.TheleaderdevelopmentprogramoftheCorpsofCadetsisafour-year,progressiveprogrambaseduponapositive,servant-leadermodelwhosefoundationsareselflessnesssteepedinrespectforothers.Cadetsarechallengedandencouragedbypracticalapplicationandfrequentevaluationinpositionsofever-increasingresponsibilitywithinaculturallydiverseandmixed-genderleadershipenvironment.Servant-Leadership

TheCorpsLeadershipProgram,incombinationwithacademicrequirementsmetthroughROTCclassesandinthevariouscollegesofVirginiaTech,provideseverycadettheopportunitytoearnaminorinleadershipstudiesawardedbytheMajorGeneralW.ThomasRiceCenterforLeaderDevelopment.TheServant-Leaderfocusbeginswithdevelopingactivefollowershipskillsinourincomingfreshmen.Elementsinclude,self-development,self-understanding,collegesuccessstrategies,andintrotoleadership.SophomoresareexpectedtoassumetheroleoffrontlineleadersatthebeginningoftheWhitePhaseoftraining.Withthefocusonsmallunitleadership,essentialskillsdevelopedduringthisperiodincludementorship,one-on-oneandone-on-fewtraininganddevelopmentoftheirsubordinates.Thereisacontinuedfocusonteambuildingasaclassastheyareincorporatedintonewunitsalsooccursduringthisperiod.ThefocusforJuniorsisonorganizationalleadership.Duringthisyeartheyarefullyengagedintheday-to-dayoperationsoftheCorpsandseetothefunctioningoftheirorganizationsaswellasoverseeingthegrowthanddevelopmentofthesophomoreclass.

Seniorsareatatransitionpointintheirleaderdevelopmentwiththeirfocusatthestrategiclevel.First,theyareseeingtothestrategicdirectionoftheirorganizationsandthensettingspecificgoalsthatinformtheactionsofallothermembersoftheCorps.Theyarealsoatthestagewheretheyarepreparingtotransitiontotheirpost-Corpsprofessionsandthusshouldbeputtingthefinaltouchesontheirowndevelopment.Self-ManagementandLearningSkills

Thetransitionfromhighschooltoacollegiatepaceoflifeandacademicrigorisoftenasignificantchangeforfirst-yearstudents/cadets.Thefocusinthefirstyearisdevelopingpersonalproductivityandlearningskillsthatwillsustainthemforalifetime.TheCorps’programsforachievingacademicsuccesshaveproducedsignificant,positiveresults.CriticalThinkingSkills

Criticalthinkingskillsareaninherentcapabilitygreatleadersmusthave.Theabilitytoevaluatesituations,understanddesiredoutcomes,uncoveringandchallengingassumptions,anddiscerningrequiredactionswhilebeingmindfulofandmitigatingunintendedconsequencesisessential.Acknowledgingthatleadingchangeandmanagingchangeinarapidlyevolvingenvironmentwillbethenorm,thesenioryearintroducesmethodsonhowtoaccomplishbothofthesefunctionsatthestrategiclevelofanorganization.PhysicalFitness

Superiorphysicalfitnessisaninherentrequirementformilitaryservice.Morebroadly,itisessentialregardlessofachosenprofessionsothataperson’sfullpotentialcanbebroughttobear.Consequently,wewillcontinuetopursuemeanstoachievehighphysicalfitnessbutinnewwaysthatalsoreduceifnoteliminateinjuriesinthenear-termandpreventproblemsthatwillsurfacedecadesfromnow.Giventhewide-

varietyoffoodoptionsthatVirginiaTechoffersratherthaninstitutionalmealplanning,itbecomesveryimportanttoeducatecadetssotheycanmakeinformeddecisionsregardingtheirnutritionalchoices.CelebrationofCorpsHistoryandItsLessonsforLeadersTheCorpsofCadetsisthehistoryofthisuniversity.Wehavesignificantandgrowingholdingsthatcanbeofvaluetocurrentandfuturegenerations.WiththeadditionofaCurator,andtheprospectofthenewCorpsMuseumintheCorpsLeadership&MilitaryScienceBuilding,weareinapromisingpositiontoleverageourcollectionaspartofourleaderdevelopmentprogram.AspartofourstrategicplanwewillwanttosolidifythiseffortthroughendowmentsthatwillunderwritethepositionofCuratorandhelppreserveandgrowthecollection.FinancialManagementandPreparednessToday’sstudentscangraduatewithsignificantamountsofdebtandwillpursuetheirprofessionsinoneofthemostevolvingeconomicenvironmentsinrecenthistory.Thus,itisincumbentontheCorpstoprovideeducationandtrainingonhowtostarttheircareerswithasolidunderstandingofbasicfinancialandinvestmentskills.Inanagewhereworkersdealwithknowledgeandinformationmorethanhardphysicallabor,theabilitytocommunicate…inwrittenaswellasspokenword…becomesmorecriticalthanever.TheCorpswillseekwaystoencourageexperienceinformalwritingandpublicspeakingforallourmembers.

CareerChoicesandManagementCorpsmemberswhoarepursuingmilitarycareerswillenterastructurewherecareerplanningisfirmlyinstitutionalized.ThisneedstobethecaseforourmembersofVPIBattalion…theCitizen-Leadertrackaswell.OurgoalwillbetomaximizeinternshipsforourCitizen-Leadertrackcadetsdesiringthatopportunitybetweenboththesophomoreandjunioryears,andthejuniorandsenioryears.Wewillpartnerwithbusinessandinstitutionalleaders,alumnianduniversityCareerServicestoachievethisgoal.DevelopmentofGlobalPerspectivesInordertoachieveourvisionofGlobal,EthicalLeaders,itisincumbentthatweprovideexperiencesthatincludeexposurestootherculturesandpartsoftheworld.Someofthiscanbeachievedbytakingadvantageofuniversityprogramsandtheinternationalcomponentsoffaculty,staff,studentsandofferedprograms/events.Anotherkeyingredientistheopportunitytostudyabroad.Whilecontinuingtoavailourselvesoftheexistingprograms,suchasDoD’sGlobalOfficerprogramandsummertrainingexperiences,andtheOlmsteadFoundationscholarship,theCorpshasembarkedonaGlobalScholarsprogramthatoffersfor-creditclassesthatincludesubsidizedtraveltositesaroundtheworldtostudytheleadershiplessonssurroundhistoricevents.HonorandEthicsAdeepunderstandingandcommitmenttohonorandethicsunderpineverythingaleaderdoesandeverythingaleaderis.Werecognizethathonorandethicsarelearnedconceptsthatbecomepartofaperson’scharacter,overtime,basedonwhattheythink,say,anddo.Ourprogramwilltakestepstofurtherinculcatethesevaluesthroughanongoingdialogueutilizingreal-worldcasestudiesthroughoutallfouryearsoftheCorpsofexperience.

RegimentalBandTheHighty-TightiesareanintegralpartofthehistoryandlifeofboththeuniversityandtheCorpsofCadets.JustasthesizeoftheCorpshaswaxedandwanedovertime,theHighty-Tightiestodayaresustainingahighernumberofmembersbutisnotsomethingthatcanbetakenforgranted.Overthecomingdecade,theintentistocementrecentgainsandmaintainahighlyqualifiedandproperlyresourcedregimentalbandcapableofperformingwith144membersatfootballgamesalongwithvariousensemblesandgroupsonandoffcampus.TheHighty-Tightieswillcontinuetobeambassadorsofourinstitutionandthussupportforannualtrips,scholarship/stipends,music,andequipmentwillcontinuetobereasonsforstrongfinancialsupportfromthecommonwealthandalumni. AddinganAdditionalFacultyMembertotheRiceCenterforLeaderDevelopmentWiththegrowthoftheCorpsandthefurtherdevelopmentofouracademicprograms,itisimportantthattheRiceCenterhavesufficientstaffingtodevelopandexecuteouracademicprograms.Tothatend,wedesiretoseekanadditional,newendowmenttofundafacultypositionandfurthersupporttotheprogram.Insummary,theCorpsisastructuredmilitary-styleenvironmentdesignedtodevelopthewholeperson:mentally,physicallyandmorallywhileinstillingineachcadettheessentialattributesandcompetenciesforsuccessfulleadership.

• Worktohelp90%ofeachyear’sgraduatesoftheCitizen-Leadertracktoachievecareerstartsorgraduateeducationstartswithinsixmonthsofgraduation.

• IncreasethenumberofparticipantsinourGlobalScholarsProgramaspartofanindependentstudyprogramforgraduationcredit.

• WorkwithUniversityAdvancementtoestablishendowmentstosupporttheCorpsMuseumtoincludecuratorsalaryandprogrammaticsupport.

• Maintainandfinanciallysupportamusicallywell-balancedmarchingbandcapableoffielding144piecesathomefootballgamesandsufficientadditionalmemberstocoveravarietyofvenuestoincludejazzband,stringensemble,andbrassquintet.

• Enhanceanddeepencadets’understandingandcommitmenttohonorandethics.

ComponentsofaSuccessfulLeaderDevelopmentProgramBudgetTheUniqueMilitaryActivity(UMA)accountwasestablishedbytheCommonwealthtoprovideforfunctions,programs,andpersonnelthatwereneededforthemilitaryprogramsatbothVMIandVirginiaTech.Itwasanticipatedaroughlyequaldistributionoffundsbasedonthenumberofcadetsateachinstitution.Therealityisthatourcostsshouldbejudgedontheirownmeritsandthatbudgetsshouldreflecttherealneedsoftheprogramtheinstitutiondesiresanddeserves.UniformCostsAspartofthelong-termgoalsforfullcostofeducation,wewillcontinuetolookforwaystoacquirehigh-qualityuniformsateconomicrates.PeopleThereisnoquestionthatitispeople…theirqualityandtheirquantity,thatcanmakeorbreakaprogram,anditispeoplethatmakethemostofwhateverfacilitiesorfundingisprovided.

Thequalityoftheservant-leaderswhohaveandcontinuetomakeuptheCommandant’sstaffissuperb.Theabilitytoproperlyandappropriatelygrow,compensate,anddevelopthestaffiskey.Withregardtocontinueddevelopmentofourcurrentstaff,wecontinuetomakethisaprioritywithinavailablefunding,andcommensuratewithuniversitypolicies.Areasforgrowthincludediversityandglobalcompetencieswhilecontinuingtoenhancetheinclusivenatureofourprogram.

• WorkwithUniversityBudget,Programming,andGovernmentAffairsstaffstoensureappropriateandsufficientfundingfortheCorpstomeettheuniversity’sstatedgoalsofgrowthto1,400cadets.

• GrowandcultivateaprofessionalstafftocarryoutthemissionoftheCorps.

InClosing–IntheSpiritofUtProsimAnyplan,butespeciallyastrategicplan,acknowledgesastartingpointandoffersanendingpoint.Whiletheseportendexcitingchanges,whatisunwaveringaswelooktothefutureisthecommitmenttothemissionoftheCorpsandtheprinciplesandvaluesthathavesustaineditoveracenturyandhalf.Giventheever-changingcircumstancesandcontextthatweoperatein,aplancanandmustalsoprovideadegreeofflexibilityinhowonearrivesatthedesiredend-state...orinourcase...anothermilestoneinthehistoryoftheCorps.Thus,wewillconsiderthisplantoalwaysbeinastateof“beta”...affordingtheopportunitytotakeadvantageofnewcircumstancesandopportunities.Wealsoknowthatwearenotanislanduntoourselves.Ourworktakesplacewithinthecontextofalargeruniversity,supportedbydedicatedandenergizedalumni,andpublicandprivatesectororganizationsthatappreciatewhatwedoandtheyoungmenandwomenwhoparticipateandgraduatefromourprogram.Lookingaheadweareonlylimitedbyourvision,andourwillingnesstopursueallthatisnecessarytomakethatvisionareality.Always,always,intheSpiritofUtProsim.

ThatIMayServe.