Every year, VMI commissions a superb crop of officers…..you can always bet on a sizable chunk of the commissioning class to make Colonel and/or General….it’s a statistical certainty, kind of like the graduating classes at the Academies.
But every few years or so, we graduate one particularly outstanding cadet who is destined for the highest echelons of military leadership. The last one that I can remember was Captain Matt Thompson from the class of 2002. Remember the name, he’ll be running the Army in 20 years. Seems like we’ve found another one:
VMI Cadet Jason LaCerda from Mahopac, NY, a 2007 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, is one of 23 Army ROTC Cadets selected to participate in an historic event in Washington D.C.Photo Courtesy of the Rockbridge Weekly
For the first time in our nation’s history, on May 17th, President George W. Bush will host a joint commissioning ceremony for 55 ROTC Cadets and Midshipmen from all the military services representing every U.S. state, U.S. territory and the District of Columbia during an unprecedented White House ceremony. This will be the first time in our nation’s history that the President will play a personal role in a joint commissioning event involving participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.
Of the 55 men and women to be commissioned as officers by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, 23 are Army ROTC Cadets, representing the more than 28,000 young people who have decided to make Army ROTC a part of their total college experience.
“My experience in the ROTC program has equipped me to take on real world endeavors as a resourceful citizen and Soldier,” said Jason. “The challenges have been constant and I have learned to react and make decisions while gauging the long-term effects of my actions.”
“As the number one U.S. Army ROTC Cadet in the nation, Jason LaCerda is a man of many skills. The 21-year-old from Mahopac, N.Y., is fluent in four languages, was a Rhodes Scholarship finalist and a Division I NCAA lacrosse defenseman. His desire to take on so much today has provided him the necessary skills to lead tomorrow,” Steve Johnson told the Rockbridge Weekly on behalf of the U.S. Army Cadet Command.
“While studying abroad at the University of Oxford, Jason helped to establish a training program for American Cadets with the Oxford University Officer Training Corps, the British Army’s ROTC-equivalent. The dynamic experience of training with an Allied Army unit broadened his leadership abilities despite differences in communication style and culture,” he explained. “Upon receipt of an Olmsted Scholarship for foreign study, Jason traveled to Morocco where he learned about the intricacies of Arab and Islamic culture. These experiences inspired him to take on a double major of international studies and Arabic. He received his bachelor’s degree from Virginia Military Institute in the spring of 2007.”
Also, according to the VMI press release, it seems that Cadet Colin Chung Ming Wu (Navy option) will be joining LaCerda in the ceremony.
Hotel Tango: VMI Alumni Message Boards.
oh he’s cute!
the caption in the photo says “2nd Lt” Thompson?
I saw an article yesterday about the WH commissioning and wondered if any VMI cadets would be there.
I saw the article on the VMI website about 10 minutes ago. That is truly an honor. I hope I see some news coverage tonight…
As a ROTC Cadet I am somewhat in awe of anyone who can do everything he did while at the same time perform the duties required from a cadet. HOOAH to Cadet LaCerda.
He’s got his arms crossed thinking, ” I really should have gone to The Citadel.”
Seriously, there is a huge discussion going on my alumni news list about the disparity between VMI’s commisioning rate which is about 51% and the Citadels which was only 26%-the worst in recent memory. Any thoughts from you guys from the land of Lexington?
Skippy, that is an interesting comparison between VMI and the Citadel. I was not aware of the disparity. I want to say even back in ’89, we commissioned somewhere around 50%. However, I have been away for too long to really comment knowledgably on why the rate continues where it is. Perhaps one of the younger guys around here (John) can provide some input.
One thing that struck me from some of John’s comments and descriptions in various posts is that there are more “cool” military things that are done these days (than I remember). Shooting MG’s in barracks to get the Rats up…that is cool. Never happened in my day. Also, in looking at the Institute schedule, I have noticed things like a week-long Corps wide FTX that is held in the spring. We did not have that either.
Now, I do remember getting helo rides from VA ANG Blackhawk pilots who fly down for their weekend drill or USMC CH-46 pilots flying in.
I don’t know how the Citadel is marketed these days, or what your Alumni Review looks like, but we do have a big emphasis on military service.
Perhaps someone could conduct a comparative study on why there is a disparity. There is a Citadel grad in the Undergraduate Research Department at VMI who might be able to assist in such a study.
I think it is important for VMI to maintain a high commissioning rate and I also think it is important for the Citadel to increase theirs.
Fully agree, Bull-Nav, on your last comments. In light of a country at war, it boggles my mind to think that there are still cadets who graduate who have not served their country either before, during, or after their cadetship.
I think it would be effective if VMI (and Citadel) to put together a video highlighting some of their graduates who have served and show it to cadets, emphasizing recent graduates especially. This would, I believe, yield more graduates who would serve.
We should be shooting for near 100% service rate (and I use “service rate” vice “commissioning rate” because there are many proud VMI grads who serve as enlisted men) as possible (even though I know, for various unpreventable reasons, that will probably not happen).
The Army has been doing well at The Citadel, mainly through the efforts of a kick ass PMS who by all accounts has done great things in spite of a lousy back drop to recruit against. ( A lot of my fellow alumni think the Iraq war has something to do with the low numbers). I’d also submit that fields like law and medicine are gettting people as is a strong Comp Sci department and folks are looking at money.
What ever its far different than when I graduated and 55% went into the Armed Forces.
Mr. LaCerda was not only the top Army cadet in the nation but was also our RDC president. He’s locked-on and an outstanding leader, kudos to him. And Captain Thompson is actually back at The Institute as an ROTC instructor. He spoke at our Break Out dinner.
He is every gay man’s fantasy!! I hope the Arabs have fun palying with this new American white boy toy we will be sending them. I love all you cadets can’t wait to the Arbs make you their sex slaves. Damn, I love to drool over you All American corn fed pretty young cadets!! Yummy Jason!!!