THAT I MAY SERVE: 
INSIDE VIRGINIA TECH'S CORPS OF CADETS

In August of 2008, Horse Archer Productions began shooting our second film about Virginia Tech under the working title of "THAT I MAY SERVE:  INSIDE VIRGINIA TECH'S CORPS OF CADETS."

We will be spending a year with the VTCC with unprecedented access to life in the Corps.  This long standing tradition at Virginia Tech has a rich history and boasts some of the most interesting and compelling stories on any campus in the country.  This documentary will be a very personal look at what it takes to be in the Corps and why kids choose to make this commitment to their country and their education.  We will show you why the Corps exemplifies community and commitment and produces a remarkable transformation in its cadets.  It is a fascinating group, so forget what you thought you knew about the Corps of Cadets and get ready to step into a unique world.

IN PRODUCTION NOW!

AVAILABLE 2009!

Production Notes:

November 11-13, 2008:  Interviews with cadets began this week.  We were fortunate enough to have 11 students representing all graduating classes and all commitment designations (ROTC and Regular Corps).  These students come from very diverse backgrounds and have equally diverse motivations for joining the Corps.   

We think viewers will be amazed by the stories these students have.  For example, two are planning marriage this December while still in the Corps, and the Regimental Commander, Adnon Barqawi, is from Kuwait and joined the Corps after only two weeks in America having seen a cadet on campus during orientation weekend.

Regimental Sergeant Major Kimberly Vowell, one of the students participating in this documentary.

October 2008:  We wanted to take a moment to recognize the contributions of our intern, Cadet Elizabeth Fonseca, the Student Public Affairs Officer and a communications major, who has been helping us shoot footage throughout the term.  Among other contributions, Elizabeth recently gathered video of the Fall "Caldwell March," an annual event commemorating the journey of Addison Caldwell, the first student to enroll at Virginia Tech, who walked 26 miles from Craig County to be there.

The Caldwell March is broken up into two sections of 13 miles each, one in Fall and one in Spring semester.  It is particularly important for the Freshman cadets.  The Fall march signifies the end of Red Phase, the first six weeks of grueling physical and mental transformation.  The Spring march will mark the end of their status as underclassmen and their white belts will be exchanged for leather ones,  and they can begin the next part of their journeys. 

September 13, 2008:  We had two full crews on campus today to follow the Corps of Cadets to the football game and get footage of the procession and inside the stadium.  There was also a great flyover, which is not only a crowd pleaser, but a very unique aspect of a Tech game that would not be around if it were not for the Corps.  The flyers themselves are always from the Corps, but this time, we had a pair of flyers . . . one from Virginia Tech and the other from Georgia Tech . . . making it a very special afternoon. 

It was a hot one too, but we walked away great footage and a much need ACC win.

September 10, 2008:  We filmed the second annual Matthew LaPorte Memorial Run today, a 5K benefit event named for Cadet Matthew LaPorte who lost his life during the tragic events of April 16, 2007.  It is a fine example of the way the VTCC strives to make something positive out of any situation and it was well attended by the media.  The participants raised over $4500 for the Matthew LaPorte Memorial Scholarship, surpassing last year's mark by over $500.

A quick Marine briefing right after the run.  They run together as a group for this event.

We were also fortunate enough to get an interview with Homer Hickam, the author of Rocket Boys and the co-creator of "The Skipper," the Virginia Tech ceremonial game cannon which is fired at football games and special events.  Naturally, he was very happy to be the guest of honor and talked in great detail about his days in the Corps, which he credits as a major shaping force of his life.

August 21, 2008:  We got our first taste of life for a Freshman in the Corps of Cadets with a day at the Obstacle Course.  The O-Course is essentially the same training course used by the US Marines.  What we witnessed was an amazing amount of support and camaraderie.  The emphasis here is clearly on success and many exhausted Freshmen found another level with the training, support and encouragement of the upper classmen and officers.

We also got a look at a VTCC tradition--the appearance of the Highty Tighties during dinner call in the week before classes begin. 

More to come . . .

The Inn at
 Virginia Tech
World class accommodations right on campus

Bridge Kaldro Music

Instruments, sheet music and lessons!

Advanced Oxidation Technologies
Hokie Ingenuity at work for the Environment

Click the banner to visit our website or email us at info@horsearcherproductions.com.

©  2007-2008.  HOKIE NATION is a licensed product.  All content and images from these pages are owned by Horse Archer Productions or are used with expressed written permission.