Your Freshman Year

The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets is a challenging but rewarding program. Leadership is taught through the framework of a military organization. Cadets wear a distinctive uniform, live in Corps barracks, and have their own unique organizations. As a member of the Corps, you are guaranteed on campus housing and admittance into every home football game for free. Cadets enjoy living the best of both worlds- living the military lifestyle while still attending classes with civilian students in one of the nation's most prestigious institutions.

The freshmen experience at Virginia Tech is like no other. Your freshmen year is broken into three phases: Red, White, and Blue Phase. The freshmen year starts in August with a challenging and exciting New Cadet Week. Held the week prior to the start of classes, New Cadet Week teaches incoming high school seniors how to be members of the Corps of Cadets.

Red Phase

Red Phase opens with the start of New Cadet Week and goes until Caldwell March I in October. During this time, New Cadets are taught the basics of being active and successful members of the Corps. You will learn how to march, how to conduct physical training, how to wear the cadet uniform, how to clean your room, and most importantly, how to be a successful student leader. Red phase concludes with the Caldwell March, a 13 mile road march in memory of the first student at Virginia Tech, William Addison Caldwell.

White Phase

After your return from Caldwell March I, you will no longer be a new cadet and will be recognized as a member of the Corps. The cadre who trained you for the last two months are replaced by small unit leaders who operate under the supervision of experienced cadets. The skills you have learned thus far will be fine tuned to make you a well rounded cadet. White Phase concludes at the Military Ball in February.

Blue Phase

At the conclusion of White Phase, you have demonstrated that you have learned to follow your superior cadets, and will begin your formal training as a leader. Cadet Leader School classes will formally start and you have almost completed your freshman year. Blue Phase ends with Caldwell March II, where you complete the last 13 Miles of the march back to campus. Upon your return to the campus, you are recognized as completing your freshman year of training.

Blog posting by a second year Cadet describing tips for freshman year.