BLACKSBURG, Va. – A week of intense training is on the way for more than 360 first-year cadets at Virginia Tech. And while freshman cadet week doesn't start until next week, higher-ranking cadets are already preparing.
Virginia Tech's cadets are hitting the ground running. This is Cadre Week, where upper-level cadets train and prepare for freshman cadets to step foot on campus for the first time.
"It can be hectic at times but it gives us a good feeling. We love to train, we're having a lot of fun knowing that these kids are coming and they're trying to do the same things that we're trying to do...looking to be better, successful leaders," said Nathan Underwood, battalion commander.
Training ranges from marching and rifle exercises to ceremony and cadet knowledge. It's a lot of work for the cadets, no matter their age or rank, but for many, the structure is exactly what they wanted.
"Coming into college you're kind of released onto the world. You no longer have your parents or high school teachers to direct you where to go, so coming into the corps, you have a strict and rigid schedule you have to abide by," said Virginia Frischkorn, cadet major.
For the first time, cadets will be living here in New Cadet Hall, a completely new building that has cadets excited and ready for the new school year.
"Last year this was just a massive construction zone, so it will be really exciting to have the entire Corps in both of our brand-new buildings," said Frischkorn.
And for some cadets like Virginia, these tough weeks of training are a matter of carrying on a family tradition.
"I first was drawn to it because my grandfather was class of '59. He was a cadet here," said Frischkorn.
More than 300 freshman cadets are headed to campus this weekend. Their training begins Monday.
Click here to learn more about New Cadet Week.