Parade marking entrance of Class of 2013 into the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets to be held Aug. 22

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

BLACKSBURG, Va., Aug. 18, 2009 – A parade marking the entrance of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets class of 2013 and their completion of New Cadet Training has been planned for Aug. 22.

293 new members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets reported to the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg on Aug. 15, one week before the rest of the campus, for New Cadet Training.

The Corps Class of 2013 is a diverse group. A set of triplets and a set of twins joined the corps together and new cadets hail from as close as Blacksburg to as far away as Sudan. Throughout the week these new cadets will be taught by approximately 100 upper-class cadets on how to march and perform military drill with precision, how to properly complete a military obstacle course safely, and how to rappel down a 40-foot tower, along with many other experiences.

In recognition of completing this challenging training, a parade marking the acceptance of the New Cadets into the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will be held Saturday, 22 Aug. at 10 a.m. on the Drillfield. It will be centered on Burruss Hall. The incoming Class of 2013 will join a long standing tradition at Virginia Tech which began with 132 cadets in October 1872, when all students were cadets and Virginia Tech was known as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College.

During the parade, the Highty-Tighties will play and Skipper, the cannon, will be fired when the cadets first enter the Drillfield, at the first note of the National Anthem, and the first note of Tech Triumph.

There will be three shots total, the first shot will be at approximately 9:50 a.m. and the final shot will be at about 11 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to come out and watch this event. Parking is available around the Drillfield and no visitor’s pass is necessary on weekends. However, please be aware that move-in for the rest of the university’s first-year class in on Saturday and parking may be limited around the Drillfield. Parking is also available in Perry Street Lot 1, 3, 4, and 6 near Prices Fork Road. Find more parking information online or call (540) 231-3200.