Military Education, Academy or College? Focusing on Tradition at Virginia Tech

The United States boasts 11 premier military education institutions: five federal service academies and six Senior Military Colleges. Service academies offer free tuition with mandatory five-year active-duty service, emphasizing 24/7 military immersion for career officers. SMCs provide flexible ROTC programs, blending military training with traditional college life, where commissioning is optional. Virginia Tech's Corps of Cadets, founded in 1872 under General James H. Lane, excels in versatility (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force ROTC), real-world training, rich traditions, and strong outcomes (over 7,000 officer alumni, including Medal of Honor recipients). Cadet Adilynn Walker (Class 2026) may be the youngest regimental commander, at age 20, in the history of the Corps.
Watch this video for the 2025 Pass and Review ceremony and see the excitement happening in Blacksburg.
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