Meet this spring's Corps of Cadets leaders
Each semester, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets selects new cadet leaders to maximize the opportunities for students to lead during the academic year.
They make up the cadet chain of command and are responsible for the planning and operations of the corps every day. With about 1,400 cadets in the corps, running the regiment is no small task. The spring semester leadership was chosen at the end of the fall semester, and these cadets will complete their commands during the Change of Command Pass in Review on the Drillfield on May 2.
The regimental commander is Cadet Robert Waugh from Lorton, Virginia, an aerospace engineering major in the College of Engineering and member of Air Force ROTC. As the highest-ranking cadet at Virginia Tech, Waugh is responsible for the regiment’s leadership training, event execution, and overall performance during his command. He approaches that responsibility through the lens of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).
“When I think of Ut Prosim, I think of having the privilege to serve. Not everyone has the same opportunity to impact others on a daily basis that I do. I think it's important to recognize that service is not a requirement; it's a privilege, because it's 'that I may serve,' not 'that I have to serve.' I feel honored every day to be in a position where I can serve others,” said Waugh.
The regimental executive officer is Tyler Wade from Aldie, Virginia. A member of Naval ROTC, he is majoring in industrial and systems engineering in the College of Engineering. As the second-highest ranking cadet in the regiment, Wade oversees the regimental staff in support of the regimental commander’s guidance. Over the semester, he has found that letting his subordinates develop their own leadership style has been key.
“I try to embody the principle of servant leadership. For me, this looks like supporting those underneath me by giving them autonomy to lead how they would like. In my experience, being given autonomy by my leaders was beneficial when trying to accomplish the mission my way,” said Wade.
Battalion leadership
The regiment is divided into four battalions, each with a battalion commander who is responsible for the training and operations of roughly 350 cadets.
The 1st Battalion commander is Cadet Andres Ospina from Arlington. A senior in Air Force ROTC, Ospina is majoring in aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering.
Virginia Tech’s senior military college status and rich mixture of academic excellence and leadership opportunities brought Ospina to Blacksburg.
“I chose Virginia Tech primarily because of its strong aerospace engineering program. While I was accepted into other well-regarded engineering schools, what set Virginia Tech apart was the corps and the top-tier ROTC programs. They complement my engineering education by creating opportunities to develop and practice leadership skills in ways that simply aren't possible at most other schools. After 3 1/2 years here, I have no doubt I made the right choice,” said Ospina.
The 2nd Battalion commander is Cadet Zachary Rosen from Berryville, Virginia. A member of Army ROTC, Rosen is majoring in political science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He said the role has challenged him to grow while helping cadets develop as leaders.
“The biggest leadership lesson that I have learned while being battalion commander is that motivation comes in many different forms and the best way to encourage buy-in across the battalion is to use that motivation to foster ownership and belonging,” said Rosen.
The 3rd Battalion commander is Cadet Gavin Worthington from Goochland, Virginia. A criminology major in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, he is also a member of Army ROTC. Worthington’s four-year journey has shaped how he views perseverance and ambition in leadership.
“Put your name in the hat and don’t quit before you start. There are countless opportunities to improve yourself and others around you if you seek out those opportunities. Challenge yourself to be better than who you were yesterday and never give up on what you believe in. It will all come to fruition if you continue to work hard and never settle for less,” said Worthington.
The 4th Battalion commander is Cadet Archie Hill from Chesapeake. A member of Air Force ROTC, he is majoring in cybersecurity management and analytics in Pamplin College of Business. Throughout his time in the corps, Hill said he has learned to view leadership as an act of service.
“I’ve learned throughout my time in the corps that serving people is not a task but a way of life. I aim to apply the university motto of service to my leadership by treating all people with the same level of respect, no matter the position or power. I seek to inspect what I expect by not requiring anything that I wouldn’t be willing to do myself,” said Hill.
Citizen-Leader Track leadership
VPI Battalion is the home of the corps’ Citizen-Leader Track, which was established in 2000 with a goal to equip cadets for professional careers in business, government, nonprofits, and more. Year to year, more than 80 percent of Citizen-Leader Track cadets have employment or graduate school offers in hand before completing graduation ceremonies their senior year.
The VPI Battalion commander is Cadet Gianna Hodge from Powhatan. Hodge is majoring in psychology in the College of Science.
When it comes to leading the 300 cadets in her battalion, she looks to the Sacrifice pylon as a guiding principle.
“I believe the greatest show of love and service you can provide to anyone is to sacrifice something of yourself for them. Whether it be your time, your shoulder for them to lean on, or even your life to give for them, we should always be willing to sacrifice for those around us because there is no greater example of service and love,” said Hodge.
