After 12 years of service as commandant of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Maj. Gen. Jerrold P. Allen announced his plan to retire last week.
A Virginia Tech press release said Allen’s retirement would be effective as of July 2011.
During Allen’s time as commandant, the corps has seen growth and recognition.
Enrollment in the corps has steadily increased in the last decade, with 857 cadets participating this year.
The Rice Center for Leadership Development was also developed during Allen’s tenure. In a joint effort with the Pamplin College of Business, the Rice Center helped create the leadership studies minor and offers several leadership courses for cadets.
A cadet has been selected as Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year for the past seven years.
A committee to search for Allen’s successor is being chaired by Ray Smoot, university treasurer and chief operating officer for the Virginia Tech Foundation, according to the press release.
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The only reason he is retiring is to save his reputation after knowing about the hazing of 6 cadets on the way to their initiation which resulted in severe life altering injuries. He only resigned not to get fired but he will still receive consequences and people will still remember him as the person ultimately responsible for the cadets' actions.
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He is not "resigning". He is retiring--in July 2011. Those of us who know what we are talking about know that this retirement was planned well before the unfortunate events of last weekend.
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In response to Gen. Allen's retirement and that it was planned long before the tragic accident: of this I do not doubt and have no right to indulge in groundless accusations and needless speculation. However, the timing of this, planned or not not, does not speak well for the General. For those of us who are family members of the injured Cadets, at best this announcement is poorly timed and insensitive to the tragedy at hand: General Allen should be stepping up to the plate to provide leadership and responsibility for the Cadets under his nominal command. At worst, we view it as a disingenuous maneuver, designed to remove the General from the firing line.
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Dr. Cook,
Very well said. Gen. Allen apparently grew the Corps of Cadets by touting leadership as a trait that the young men and women would develop. Where is his leadership now?
I am desperately sorry for the pain that your nephew and family is suffering. Every day, every spare moment, I am praying for James' recovery. He is a commendable and strong young man, and I am trusting that those traits will get him through this.
Peace.
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General Allen has been the longest serving Commandant for the VTCC, because of that, it has been common thought that he would retire soon. Also, there was no hazing occuring at that event. It was an important evening for those cadets and it was simply a very sad accident
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The timing of this abrupt announcement so soon after this tragedy is very suspect. I immediately assumed there was a direct relationship to the tragedy. He will not save his reputation. A commandant is ultimately responsible for everything that happens on his watch.
I was surprised that there was no mention of this tragedy at the game yesterday afternoon. Why was there no request for thoughts and prayers for these Corps of Cadets students?
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I would like to say to all concerned that my family expresses its deep gratitude for the kind thoughts and prayers that so many have offered. I appended comments to the initial CT article concerning the incident that I shall paraphrase here. This is a very sensitive and troubling time for our family and it would, clearly, be improper for anyone to comment upon anything concerning what happened and the attendant actions that have occurred since. We ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers and please, for the sake of my nephew, his family, and the other Cadets and their families, refrain from any undue heedless and needless speculation. Many thanks, once again, to all who have offered their support.
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ALCON:
Please stop hiding behind anonymous when making your comments. To do so is cowardly, dishonorable and dishonest. Anyone will say anything when they are not held accountable and responsible. If you have something to say, say it with conviction. If you feel you must hide behind anonymity, you lose credibility.
David Cook
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