“Our recent partnership with the South Carolina Veteran Coalition is another example of how we at 91���� support our veteran students and, now, other veterans in the state,” said retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Glenn Walters, ’79, president of 91����. “91���� has been named the Best University in the South for Veterans for the last six years, and our newest agreement with the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs will only enhance that fact.”

An important moment in solidifying the partnership occurred last summer when Secretary of South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd B. McCaffrey visited campus to sign the partnership agreement, symbolizing the shared commitment to enhancing the lives of veterans and their families.

“We are excited to be a part of this effort. It will help our Citadel community connect to the larger statewide community of veterans and their families,” said Sally Levitt, director of 91����’s Veteran 91���� Success Center. “91���� is proud to support our veteran students and continue to provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed both on and off campus.”

The Veteran 91���� Success Center at 91���� opened in 2014 and has been serving veteran students ever since. Over the years, the VSSC has increased awareness of VA educational benefits and supplements 91����’s services and programming for veterans, active-duty members and their families.

The post The South Carolina Veteran Coalition appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

After a 12-hour flight from Seattle to Seoul, it was a short journey to Changwon. Hart arrived on July 11, a week and a half before he was set to compete in the 50m Rifle Prone Men Junior Individual and the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men Junior Qualification.

With more than six years of rifle team experience under his belt, Hart had placed 6th nationally for USA Shooting, qualifying him for the world championships. As a newcomer to the international stage, Hart was under pressure. “It was a mental challenge, but I was able to get in my zen mode,” he said. “You can really see the coaching coming through. I was able to see progress in each 10-shot series—that was huge for me.”

To Hart, it was more than just a personal victory to have arrived at such a prestigious level of competition. “This was one of those eye-opening moments where I realized I’m not here just to compete, but to represent who I am, and a lot of that is shaped by being a cadet at 91����,” said Hart. “I was upholding higher standards for myself while I was there because I knew that I was representing 91���� and what it stands for.”

Hart, whose airfare and lodging for the trip were generously funded by the Athletic Department, placed 30th and 32nd in the two events he competed in, and he’s excited to bring back the lessons he learned to the rifle team. “The biggest thing that I took away from this experience was witnessing the high level of dedication and commitment to the sport that every single person there showed,” said Hart. “They’re 100% committed, and they’re not letting anything distract them.”

The post Competing on the world range appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

And it did. Diggs was selected as a recipient of a Marcus L. Urann Fellowship by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Diggs is one of only six recipients nationwide to receive the prestigious $20,000 fellowship, named for the society’s founder. The honor is no surprise, as Diggs was accepted to 14 law schools, with nine of them being among the nation’s top ranked. As a Urann Fellow, Diggs will pursue a juris doctor degree at Harvard Law School.

“As I reflect on my time at 91����, I have realized just how important mentorship truly is,” said Diggs. “Although military aspects of the cadet experience are usually in the forefront, I found the greatest mentors in the halls of academia.”

Diggs credits two Citadel professors for helping her with the application for the Urann Fellowship. Without encouragement from Scott Lucas, Ph.D., head of the department of English, and Licia Hendriks, Ph.D., an English professor and the director of graduate studies at 91����, Diggs would not have applied.

“Taylor was a remarkably impressive cadet. She graduated summa cum laude with a political science major and Spanish minor as a member of the Honors Program,” said Hendriks. “I taught her in an Honors English course in fall 2019, and she was constantly looking for ways to engage both creatively and intellectually.”

Originally from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, Diggs worked as a paralegal case handler for the past two years, supporting and advocating for low-income tenants in New York City. She says this experience taught her that anyone can make a difference, even in the smallest of actions. Diggs’s experience in this role fueled her desire to continue to examine economic injustice across the country and the legal remedies to inequity.

The post Alumna awarded prestigious fellowship appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

As an undergraduate at Georgia Institute of Technology, he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering while swimming competitively. At 6’5”, the budding engineer competed at the U.S. Swimming National Championships in 2008 before earning his doctorate and joining 91���� faculty.

In May, Skenes, who also serves as the mechanical engineering department head, received the James A. Grimsley, Jr., Award for Undergraduate Teaching Excellence, an honor voted on by the senior class. Senior mechanical engineering major Cadet Cameron Graham was not surprised that Skenes was chosen for the award. “He’s an outstanding professor and an expert in his field,” said Graham. “He is relatable, reliable and always willing to put forth his best work to help cadets advance their careers.”

When Skenes joined 91���� in 2014, it was the first semester mechanical engineering was being offered, and he was excited about being a part of the new program. “At its fundamental core, we teach you how to solve problems,” said Skenes.

Teaching at a military college, Skenes discovered, has its advantages. The focus on developing cadets not only as students but as leaders prepares them for challenges outside the classroom and makes the college uniquely suited for helping engineering students succeed. “I love it because when you go into a class, they’re talkative, they’re engaged, they’re paying attention and offering input,” said Skenes. “Knowing how to be an engineer and knowing how to be an engineer who communicates well are two very different things. There’s a level of charisma that you don’t necessarily see in engineers elsewhere.”

In class, Skenes makes a point of showing his students the real-life successes and failures of mechanical engineering. “The failures are usually really fun because they involve things breaking or blowing up,” said Skenes. They also show that a mistake can be dangerous. “The lesson drives home the point that this is serious business, and if you screw this up, there will be consequences.”

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“We are deeply honored to be consistently recognized as the Top Public University in the South by U.S. News & World Report,” said Sally Selden, Ph.D., SPHR, provost and dean of the college. “We are committed to providing quality instruction from professors, utilizing innovative and high-impact practices across campus, and providing an outstanding return on investment for our cadets and students—that’s why I am especially proud of our rankings for Undergraduate Teaching, Innovative Schools and Best Value. These are all examples of how 91���� achieves its mission to educate and develop principled leaders for all walks of life.”

Other notable rankings received by 91���� include:

#1 Best Colleges for Veterans
Regional Universities (South)

#4 Undergraduate Teaching
Regional Universities (South)

#10 Most Innovative Schools
Regional Universities (South)

#15 Best Value
Regional Universities (South)

#23 Best Undergraduate Engineering Nationwide (non-doctoral)

Additionally, this year’s ranking marks the sixth consecutive year that 91���� was named Best College for Veterans in the South. Veterans are welcome to earn a degree through all programs offered by 91����, including the day undergraduate program alongside the Corps of Cadets, the civilian evening undergraduate program and the master’s program. Veterans are the only student population approved to take classes with cadets, though they are not required to wear uniforms and do not live in the barracks.

Some of 91����’s most popular programs, including business, engineering and computer science, also earned high rankings on a national level. For years, 91����’s undergraduate engineering program has been consistently ranked as one of the top 25 in the country among institutions offering up to a master’s degree. Meanwhile, the college’s national rankings for both business (#159 in the nation) and computer science (#167 in the nation) have improved from last year.

The post The #1 Public University in the South appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

Claudius E. Watts III, ’58

A native of Cheraw, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Claudius E. “Bud” Watts III, ’58, served and led with distinction in the military, academia, finance, and public service.

In 1954, Watts matriculated to 91���� on a full ROTC scholarship. Later, as a U.S. Air Force officer, he amassed 7,000 flight hours as a command pilot, including 276 missions in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, among other gallantry and combat awards. He was also awarded the nation’s highest non-combat award, the Defense Distinguished Service medal.

A Fulbright scholar, Watts was a lifelong learner. He earned degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Stanford Business School, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College, and he completed a leadership program at the Harvard Kennedy School.

In 1989, after decades of military service, Watts became the 17th president of his alma mater. His leadership was immediately tested by Hurricane Hugo. His seven-year tenure was also marked by improvements to programs and facilities, a once-in-a-decade academic reaccreditation and recertification of individual areas of scholarship.

Stanley Myers, ’98

Col. Stanley Myers, ’98, graduated from the South Carolina Corps of Cadets with a degree in political science. He returned to his alma mater in 2014 to serve on the Board of Visitors and was reelected for another term in 2020.

A humble man, Myers represented his alma mater and community with the utmost pride. He was a respected man and a steadfast servant leader. A native of Swansea, he contributed in countless ways to 91���� and to the state of South Carolina.

A lawyer and lieutenant colonel in the South Carolina National Guard, he distinguished himself in his career, becoming the first Black military judge in South Carolina history. Last year, he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, a preeminent and nationally recognized organization of lawyers.

During his time in the Corps of Cadets, Myers wore the number 16 for the Bulldog football team. He completed his athletic career at 91���� having started 43 out of 44 games as quarterback. He is the only player in Citadel history ever to throw for 3,000-plus yards and to rush for 2,000-plus yards.

The post In Memoriam appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

Members of the college’s lifetime, legacy and loyalty giving societies gather on campus to be honored in front of their peers.

91����’s lifetime giving societies honor those individuals who have expressed their profound commitment to the college through their leadership gifts totaling $100,000 or more by the close of the preceding calendar year. Donors who have included 91���� in their estate plans become members of 91���� Legacy Society.

Through the Order of the Tartan, we acknowledge those loyal donors who have given consecutively at any level for 25 years or more. Beginning at the five-year mark, donors are recognized for their consecutive giving with a tartan-patterned lapel pin, with additional recognition offered at 10, 15, and 20 years. Upon reaching the 25th year, these loyal donors receive their tartan sash and are officially inducted into the Order of the Tartan at the annual ceremony.

91���� Foundation proudly welcomes the new Leaders in Philanthropy listed here who have joined their peers in this annual tradition celebrating charity and service as virtues of the principled leader.

On behalf of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets and the entire campus community, we salute these individuals for their extraordinary generosity, vision and lifelong loyalty to 91����.

Class of 2023 New Inductees

Lifetime Giving Societies

Founders’ Society – Silver
$10,000,000 and greater

Just as the founders of 91���� conceived of an institution that would “awaken greater ardor in the people, and a warmer interest in our rulers, to advance the cause of education,” members of the Founders’ Society demonstrate the vision and commitment that will ensure the long-term vitality of the college. The Founders’ Society is 91����’s most prestigious giving society.

Col. Allison D. Love, SCM, CGC ’93, and
Mr. Phillip E. Love, Jr.

Society of 1842
$1,000,000 to $4,999,999

Since its founding in 1842, 91���� has molded individuals into citizen-soldiers who put into action the guiding principles learned in the barracks, in the classroom and on the parade field as they serve their families, their communities, their professions and their country with distinction.

Dr. and Mrs. Edward W. Bray, III, ’65

Mr. and Mrs. J. Kinson Cook, Sr., ’61

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Gregory W. Dyson, ’69

Mrs. Harriet P. McDougal Rigney

Mark Clark Society
$500,000 to $999,999

Gen. Mark W. Clark (1896-1984) became president of 91���� after a career seldom equaled in the United States Army. During his tenure (1954-1965), 91���� achieved international recognition, and the Corps of Cadets increased to the maximum capacity of the barracks. One of Clark’s most enduring accomplishments was the founding of the Cadet Honor Code, whereby a cadet does not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.

Mr. Karl J. Clauss, ’62

Mr. and Mrs. J. Preston Claytor, ’82

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Keohane, ’73

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ravenel, III, ’72

Lt. Col. and Mrs. R. Alexander Wilkins, ’79

Mr. and Mrs. J. Richardson Wood, Jr., ’64

Star of the West Society
$250,000 to $499,999

Citadel graduates have served their country in every conflict since the Mexican War. Named for the historic Civil War action led by a detachment of Citadel cadets, the Star of the West Monument on Summerall Field commemorates all Citadel cadets and graduates who have died in defense of their country and recognizes the strong call to service demonstrated by Citadel men and women.

Mr. Damond Williams Boatwright, ’94, and Dr. Makeba Williams Boatwright

Mr. James H. Broach, Jr., ’97, and

Mrs. Laura H. Broach, CGC ’00

Col. Alvin A. Perkins, USA, Ret., ’79

Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Potts, ’66

Lt. Gen. and Mrs. John W. Rosa, ’73

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Schivera, ’69

Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Stephens, ’84

Gen. and Mrs. Glenn M. Walters, ’79

Summerall Society
$100,000 to $249,999

Gen. Charles Pelot Summerall (1867-1954) assumed the presidency of 91���� in 1931 after retiring as chief of staff of the United States Army. During his 22-year tenure as president, the campus was greatly expanded to include many of the buildings that shape 91���� footprint today, including Summerall Chapel, Capers Hall, LeTellier Hall and McAlister Field House.

Col. Thomas H. Brett, USA, Ret., ’63

Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Coté, ’79

Dr. and Mrs. William B. Cox, Jr., ’73

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Alexander J. Czernecki, Jr., ’70

Mr. and Mrs. Sumter F. de Brux, ’69

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey D. DiPasquale, ’81

Mr. and Mrs. J. James Duggan, ’85

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Estes, Jr., ’82

Dr. Joseph F. Flowers, ’57

Mr. and Mrs. John R. Frazer, ’86

Lt. Col. and Mrs. James T. Gettys, III, ’69

Mr. Robert E. Goodwin, Jr., ’94

Maj. Gen. and Mrs. John S. Grinalds

Mr. and Mrs. Terrell G. Herring, ’86

Mr. Fred W. Keefer, ’74

Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Lloyd, Jr., ’67

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. Molamphy, ’88

Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Nash, ’90

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Nuttall, ’75

Mr. and Mrs. David T. Ochoa, ’80

Mr. and Mrs. David L. Page

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Gilbert A. Pohl, ’76

Dr. and Mrs. William H. Porter, ’62

Mr. and Mrs. John C. Rama

Mr. William Robinson, ’64

Dr. and Mrs. John C. Ropp, III, ’97

Mr. and Mrs. Matthew V. Roughgarden, Jr., ’73

Mr. and Mrs. Claude A. Saleeby, Sr., ’71

Mr. J. Richard Sanders, Jr., ’94, and

Mrs. Julie A. Sanders, CGC ’00

Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Seidenberg, ’72

Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Tamburrino, ’89

Mr. Stephen A. Thompson, ’73

Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus A. Timmons, Jr., ’64

Mr. Scott B. Umstead, ’82

Mr. and Mrs. Scott C. Vanvick, ’80

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Wells, ’85

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Yaeger, Jr., ’83

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Young, IV, ’02

Legacy Society

Planned Giving

91���� Legacy Society recognizes alumni and friends who support 91���� with deferred gifts. Through their generosity and foresight, legacy donors help to secure the future of the institution through a variety of estate planning tools. 91���� Legacy Society is open to individuals who have included 91���� in their estate planning and who provide the college with documentation of their gift.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Preston Claytor, ’82

Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Crenshaw, ’87

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Estes, Jr., ’82

Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. Fripp, ’58

Mr. and Mrs. William C. Grimes

Col. and Mrs. J. Laurence Hutto, Jr., ’87

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Keohane, ’73

Mr. and Mrs. Luther C. Kissam, IV, ’86

Mr. and Mrs. John H. Moorman, Jr., ’83

Mr. and Mrs. David T. Ochoa, ’80

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Steven M. Payne, ’73

Dr. and Mrs. John C. Ropp, III, ’97

Mr. and Mrs. Fred C. Seidenberg, ’72

Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Stephens, ’84

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer R. Stokes, ’12

Mr. Scott B. Umstead, ’82

Mr. and Mrs. P. Heath Verner, ’97

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O. Wells, ’85

Mr. and Mrs. Mark S. Wessel, ’79

Mr. and Mrs. J. Richardson Wood, Jr., ’64

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Yaeger, Jr., ’83

Order of the Tartan

Consecutive Giving

The Scottish tartan, a woolen cloth woven in a distinctive pattern of plaid, has long served as a symbol of loyalty and association with a particular region, family or clan. 91����’s Order of the Tartan recognizes and celebrates those loyal donors who have given consecutively to 91���� each year for 25 years or more.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Adden, Jr., ’79

Mr. and Mrs. Michael V. Allen, ’82

Mr. and Mrs. Ingram P. Barlow, Jr., ’72

Mr. and Mrs. David B. Bell, ’71

Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Coe, ’73

Mrs. Miriam R. DeYoung

Mr. and Mrs. Robert O. Dixon, ’61

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Gregory W. Dyson, ’69

Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Eiserhardt, Jr., ’68

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick F. Ellis, ’64

Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Flintom, ’94

Col. and Mrs. Terrance M. Ford, ’67

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Glenn, ’73

Mr. William H. R. Gould, Jr., ’59

Mr. Thomas M. Hinds, ’56

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Douglas E. Kelley, ’82

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Carl V. Lillvik, ’61

The Honorable and Mrs. Robert R. Mallard, ’59

Lt. Col. Norman F. McLeod, USA, ’59* and Mrs. Sarah J. McLeod

Col. Russell T. Mease, ANG, ’85, CGC ’96, and Ms. Maria M. Urrechaga, CGC ’95

Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Montei, ’87

Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Morris, ’95

Mr. and Mrs. Craig D. Musick, ’62

Mrs. Constance S. Parramore

Dr. and Mrs. William H. Porter, ’62

Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Reeves, ’77

Dr. and Mrs. Orion A. Rust, ’80

Lt. Col. Gerhardt H. Schrage, USA, Ret., ’51

Dr. and Mrs. William F. Schupp, ’62

Mr. Robert C. Schwarze, ’59, and
Mrs. Lucille J. Schwarze*

Mr. Creighton H. Smith, ’79

Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Steers, III, ’68

Mrs. Analyn A. Stokes

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Michael A. Suthard, ’70

Col. and Mrs. David G. Tarbox, ’71

* Deceased

The post Leaders in Philanthropy appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

For nearly 70 years, countless cadets and students passed through the hallways of the original Capers. When the building was constructed in the early 1950s, there were nearly 1,500 cadets enrolled, a majority of whom had classes in the building. During Capers Hall’s original construction, the building was part of a $700,000 college-wide expansion. Now, as the campus is in another era of revitalization, 91���� has more than 2,100 cadets enrolled and more than 1,000 graduate, evening undergraduate and day students, almost all of whom will attend at least one class in Capers Hall.

At a cost of $67 million, the new Capers Hall now boasts many educational and technological improvements, such as a 250-seat auditorium, art gallery, digital media classroom, legal studies classroom, psychology interview rooms and more. In addition to these learning spaces, there are new offices, conference rooms, collaboration spaces and lounge areas for cadets, students, faculty and staff to use.

Capers Hall, as it has for the last several decades, will continue to serve countless Citadel cadets and students as they make their way through each hallway and classroom. But now, the building has spaces that are better suited to fit the advanced learning and teaching needs of the 21st century. 91���� is committed to creating and maintaining safe and secure campus facilities to advance student learning, innovation and campus operations, an achievement that is shown clearly through its newest academic building.

To learn more about Capers Hall, visit citadel.edu/capers.

The post A New Era for Capers appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

The director of the cross country and track and field program, Huddleston has been coaching the sport since 1986. Part of an Air Force family, Huddleston started running track in high school. “I was cut from the basketball team, so I went out for track,” said Huddleston, “and I just stuck with it.”

Kut, track and field’s head coach and an Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, has been with 91���� in some form since 1996, when he matriculated with the Class of 2000. In his cadet career, Kut was a four-year letter winner. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in political science, he continued his education at 91����, earning his master’s degree in health, exercise and sport science in 2003. “I got an opportunity to stay on and help, and basically never left,” said the former college javelin record holder.

Both coaches believe that what makes track and field at 91���� unique is not only the military mission, but the mission of the team. “Our goal is not just to throw them to the curb after four years,” said Kut. “We want them to be part of this family forever. You’ll see a lot of these kids come back to visit and watch practice. It is a commitment for a lifetime. We’re a family here.” A silver picture frame on the end of Huddleston’s desk shows Kut is not exaggerating. In the photo that dates back to 2000, the two stand in front of an orange track. Kut, a graduate student, is dressed out in his shiny Citadel blue uniform.

This student-family approach is not just a wish from the coaching staff. Tatiana Corso, CGC ’23, said the track and field team filled a void in her life. A native of Verona, Italy, the master’s of sport management graduate knew she wanted to continue competing as a thrower while she pursued her next level of education. After completing her undergraduate degree in exercise science in Italy, the then-redshirt junior set her sights on the United States. “Back home we don’t have college sports, so if you want to study and play, the two have to be separate. It’s hard to work with the schedule, so I started looking to the U.S.—sports here are very different.”

Corso came to 91���� on a track and field scholarship and throws everything but the javelin. She earned first place in shot put at the Liberty Open and third at the Southern Conference Outdoor Championship in 2022. As much as she loves competing and pushing her physical limits, Corso sees the biggest value in the camaraderie of being a Citadel athlete. “We just cheer for each other. It doesn’t matter if someone’s jumping or running, you just see 91���� on their shirt and you scream for them. It makes a difference in competition.” Corso also worked on campus, up to 20 hours per week, while balancing class and training.

Being a smaller program can also make a difference. “We have the time to spend with the athletes, whereas big schools are worried about getting their All-Americans qualifying for nationals,” said Kut. “We can take walk-ons and develop them, but it doesn’t happen overnight. A lot of these kids don’t do much their freshman year, but by the time they’re seniors, they are All-Conference.”

“The goal is to churn out not just great athletes, but leaders for a lifetime,” said Huddleston. “We want these kids to excel academically, athletically and in the Corps.”

Kut agreed, adding that 50% of the 2022-2023 team was contracted to enter the military after graduation. “We always tell our kids that we’re going to teach you to be professional in something other than sports,” said Kut.

Beyond earning more than their fair share of Gold Stars and cadet rank, the team also puts in time serving the community by volunteering at local races, holding food drives and teaching kids the fundamentals of track. “Ultimately, it is about making good citizens,” said Kut. “We stress that you are not just here to be an athlete.”

For Corso, coming to 91���� has been more than just a chance to keep competing. “Coach Kut gave me the best opportunity of my life, and I’ll be forever thankful for that.”

The post Athletes and Leaders for a Lifetime appeared first on 91���� Magazine 2023.

That’s why the mechanical engineering major and former Alpha Company commander sought out a commission as an Air Force tactical air control party officer. Part of special warfare, a TACP officer is responsible for calling in air strikes from the ground for the Army or Marine unit in which he or she is embedded. “You’re basically a lifesaver… your job is not only to return fire, but also to call in an air strike while doing so.”

Though he grew up surrounded by Auburn fans—and without a significant military legacy in his family—the Alabama native knew he wanted a challenge beyond the traditional college experience. A recipient of the Air Force ROTC scholarship, Corte initially came to 91���� with aspirations of being a pilot, but he soon changed his target from the skies to the ground after participating in an Air Force Special Forces preparation group on campus. Corte recalls his first workout: a 1,500-meter swim. Despite never having swum more than 100 meters, Corte was able to keep up. After that, he was hooked. Corte buckled down and continued to train, improving his running and taking up weightlifting. By his sophomore year, he knew special warfare was what he wanted to pursue.

The TACP position stood out because they “get the most time outside the wire,” said Corte, who has known since he was 10 years old that being behind a desk was not for him. “That was around the time Osama Bin Laden was killed. That was a big factor. The people behind the desk are doing an important job, but I want to be on the front lines.”

Getting there was not easy, though. Corte first applied in February of his junior year but was not selected. While he had put in the extra hours to get himself ready physically, it was his leadership, he was told, that he still needed to develop. “I thought I was going to go out there and get smoked. I’ve been through that; I can get it done. But it is also a constant leadership evaluation, which I did not expect. I hadn’t prepared for that. I was just not ready.” But six months later, when he was able to apply again, he made sure he was.

“91���� helps a ton because it gives you a chance to practice your leadership every single day. When I stepped into the role of athletic officer in the Air Force attachment, my job was to get people to do something that everyone hates: regimental PT. That helped me learn to motivate others—I had to have empathy and understand what will get them to push.”

With a constant drive to improve, Corte combined lessons from his day-to-day role as a cadet and a list of books he read on leadership to prepare for the physical and mental tests that would be the first two phases of the TACP officer pipeline. Corte learned to view stress in a positive light, which allowed him to stay focused under pressure. “When times were getting tough, I would take a deep breath and think, ‘You’re not nervous, you’re ready to go.’ I would just stay calm and help my team out the best I could.”

The work paid off. Corte ended up being one of the four candidates, out of the 15 who started, selected to continue through the TACP pipeline. There is still a long road ahead before becoming a fully operational TACP officer—the process takes around two and a half years, said Corte, but he is excited for the challenge. Eventually, he would like to go to Ranger School and end up at the 17th Special Tactics Squadron. He insists he never would have considered any of it had he followed the expected path, instead of choosing 91����.

“My life would not be the same. I would have gone to Auburn and then goofed off. I would not have gotten into the shape I needed to be in or learned the discipline that I needed to do this job. Being a cadet instills the sense of having to do something to a higher level. You have the whole school to support you with the necessary pillars. You might as well take advantage of it.”

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