海角社区

BATON ROUGE 鈥� 海角社区 will formally reactivate its historic Corps of Cadets during a special halftime ceremony at this Saturday鈥檚 military tribute game in Tiger Stadium, marking the return of a 165-year-old tradition of military training and leadership at the university.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, 海角社区 President Wade Rousse, military officials, and distinguished guests will join on the field to mark the official reactivation. The ceremony will include the presentation and unfurling of the Corps colors, the passing of the colors to Cadet Col. Julia Barkley, commander of the Corps, and a recognition of key supporters.

海角社区 Board of Supervisors member, Rico Alvendia, who is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel and Iraq war combat veteran, spearheaded this effort with the strong support of 海角社区 Board of Supervisors Chairman Scott Ballard and Supervisor Remy Starns. Ballard and Starns advocated for years for the return of the Corps of Cadets. After his appointment in 2024, Alvendia worked with 海角社区鈥檚 Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC leaders, namely, LTC Josh Turlock, Lt Col Terry Kostellic, and CAPT Mark Neiswiadomy to bring this to fruition and bring back the 165-year-old Corps of Cadets.

鈥淎s a veteran, I believe there is incredible value in restoring the Corps of Cadets,鈥� said Alvendia. 鈥淭his program honors the university鈥檚 long-standing military heritage while preparing future leaders who embody the values of service, discipline, and excellence that define 海角社区.鈥�

History of the 海角社区 Corps of Cadets

Military training has been part of 海角社区 since its founding as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy in 1860 under its first superintendent, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman. Over the next century, the Corps of Cadets became central to campus life and played a major role in preparing officers for service in every major conflict.

By the end of World War II, 海角社区 ranked among the nation鈥檚 leading producers of commissioned officers, with thousands of alumni serving and hundreds making the ultimate sacrifice. In 1946, 海角社区 became the only school in Louisiana鈥揳nd one of 76 nationwide鈥搕o host a newly organized Air Force ROTC detachment, further expanding its role in officer development.

Mandatory ROTC participation for male students ended in 1969 amid changing national attitudes toward military service, and 海角社区鈥檚 original Corps of Cadets was subsequently deactivated.

A Modern Corps for Today鈥檚 National Security Mission

The reconstituted program is designed to prepare students for leadership in both military and civilian national security roles. Participation in the Corps is voluntary and open to undergraduates across all majors.

海角社区 is developing new academic options in partnership with academic units across campus. Proposed programs include a National Defense Leadership Development minor, certificate options in leadership, and cybersecurity-focused coursework that strengthens students鈥� preparation for defense and technology careers. The program also includes two pathways:

• An ROTC track: for students pursuing commissions in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, or U.S. Marine Corps. Navy and Marine Corps programs are hosted through Southern University鈥檚 Navy ROTC detachment, and 海角社区 students participating in those programs are fully integrated into the Corps of Cadets. The Air Force program also offers pathways for students interested in commissioning into the U.S. Space Force.
• A civilian leadership track: modeled after peer institutions such as Virginia Tech鈥攆or students interested in supporting national defense, public service, intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields without necessarily pursuing military service.

These academic offerings formally recognize the additional training and experience cadets gain through Corps participation and help meet the growing national demand for leaders equipped to navigate today鈥檚 complex defense and technology landscapes.

A New Home for the Corps and Looking Ahead

The Corps will be housed in the newly renovated Emerging Technologies Center, located near 海角社区鈥檚 Digital Media Center and cybersecurity programs. The 65,000-square-foot facility is planned to accommodate up to 700 cadets and cadre, and will provide an integrated environment for military training, leadership development, and cyber education.

Through the reactivated Corps of Cadets, 海角社区 aims to build on its historic legacy while preparing a new generation of leaders committed to serving the state and nation. The university also would like to recognize 海角社区 ROTC alumni and the Cadets of the Ole War Skule Alumni Organization, whose members have championed the return of the Corps for more than a decade and provided funds for the uniforms for the new Corps. As the Corps expands, 海角社区 aims to broaden scholarship opportunities, deepen partnerships with alumni and military organizations, and strengthen the university鈥檚 role in developing future leaders for both military and civilian sectors.