Cadets Uninvolved Due to Uniform Discomfort

The Corps of Cadets Association conducted a study in the past eight years on cadet involvement off of the Quad. In recent years, student body involvement has increased steadily; however, cadet involvement has plummeted in organizations in which Corps members are required to wear their uniform. Cadets are expected to be in the Uniform of the Day (pictured below) when entering the MSC, Rudder Tower, and academic buildings.

“When I was a freshman, I looked at which organizations I would have to wear Bravos to, and I did not apply to those,” said sophomore cadet Clarence Sammley. “I wanted to be involved, of course, but I chose to spend my time off campus so that I wouldn’t have to wear the khaki sack.”

Freshman Travis Conrad from Squadron 9 quit the Corps after he found out he had to wear a uniform to his Freshman Leadership Organization (FLO) meetings. “After every meeting, we all go out to eat. Because I had to change into Non-Regs first, I was always late and everyone had already eaten by the time I got there. Quitting was the only option if I didn’t want to be late.”

The Corps of Cadets Association has stated that they will reassess cadet involvement in four years, then make a recommendation to the Commandant on how to tackle the problem. Meanwhile, the Corps will implement a policy in Fall 2020 requiring all cadets to join at least one organization where they have to wear a uniform to ensure that the khaki representation across the university remains at an all-time high.

 

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