New commandant of cadets excited to trade his military boots for Hokie gear
Editor's note: This article was updated to correct the new commandant's years of service in the Marine Corps.
Maj. Gen. William H. Seely III joined Virginia Tech on April 1 as the 37th commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
The first Marine to serve in in the role, Seely was born in Saigon during the Vietnam War and came to the U.S. as a small child, spending his youth in California.
He discusses leadership lessons learned, how he's adjusting after 36 years in the Marine Corps, his plans for the Corps of Cadets, and more.
What’s one leadership lesson you learned the hard way?
It’s OK to go with your gut instincts. Sometimes, the textbook answer is not always right, and you’re left with a mess. Learn from the mistakes made along the way and get back to the task. Experience matters. I learned the hard way that real leadership means having the humility to admit what you don’t know and the courage to ask for help. That shift changed everything.
What was the moment in your Marine Corps career that made you think, “This is exactly where I’m supposed to be”?
It happened in Iraq. I watched a Marine recon team leader take charge in the middle of absolute chaos — not because someone told him to, but because he knew it had to be done. His Marines depended on his leadership. That moment hit me: This job isn’t about rank or writing perfect plans. It’s about serving those kinds of leaders, making sure they’ve got what they need when it matters most. That’s when it clicked for me: This is where I belong.
If you could define your mission as commandant in one sentence, what would it be?
To develop morally grounded, mentally agile, and physically resilient leaders of character — men and women prepared to lead and trusted to serve with distinction and honor.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which three historical figures would you want with you and why?
Theodore Roosevelt, because he embodied relentless drive and moral courage. He wouldn’t just survive and get me off the island — he’d lead me to find purpose, build resilience, and push forward no matter the odds.
Sun Tzu, for the clarity and discipline he’d bring to chaos. His wisdom teaches us that victory isn’t always about force — it’s about awareness, adaptability, and mastering both ourselves and the environment.
Winston Churchill, for his unshakable spirit in the darkest moments. When hope feels distant, his voice would steady us, sharpen our resolve, and remind us that perseverance itself is a form of triumph. It’s about seeing success — never failure.
Together, these three remind us that leadership is not just about power or position, it’s about endurance, strategy, and the courage to keep moving forward when the way is hardest. Because in the end, it’s not the island that defines us, it’s how we face it.
How do you plan to balance tradition with innovation in shaping the next generation of leaders?
Tradition gives the corps identity, purpose, legacy, and pride. It's our foundation. Innovation ensures we remain relevant, adaptive, and forward-looking. As commandant, I’ll honor the corps’ legacy and values while modernizing training, education, and leadership development to meet today’s operational demands and societal challenges. We will uphold our time-honored principles while embracing new methods and ideas that prepare cadets for a rapidly changing world. In short, the corps will lead with the wisdom of the past and the vision of the future.
After years in the Marine Corps, what’s been the biggest adjustment to civilian life? Anything you secretly love but wouldn’t admit to your fellow Marines?
Honestly? The absence of a required 0400 wake-up. I still wake up early, but knowing that I don’t have to gives me an odd sense of freedom. And I’ll admit, I’ve come to appreciate not wearing boots every day — well, almost. I have a growing collection of Hokie gear and khakis, and I’m not mad about it.
Read the full interview with Seely in the spring 2025 edition of Corps Review magazine.
