As the year winds down and most students head off for the summer, the 2009-2010 Corps of Cadets commander is beginning to settle in for the fall.
Brent Lanier, a junior political science major from outfit B-Company, was announced as the Corps commander for the 2009-2010 school year.
“As the Corps commander, I set the policy for the Corps and I enforce standards and serve as the representative for the Corps to the rest of the University,” he said. “I also directly report to the commandant.”
Lanier said that the application process for the position was an extensive one, but his work as the Corps Circuit Major helped him to meet the standards for the job.
“In my old job, I used to implement and apply the policies set by the Corps commander so I was able to work with him a lot,” he said. “It also helped that I lived in the same dorm with him as well.”
As part of the process, seniors and other Corps leaders reviewed applications and chose candidates for interviews. The applicants interviewed were then put before the board of seniors and a few were put up for recommendation. The commandant chooses the applicant for the position.
Lanier said he is not worried about the time commitment, though the position can be demanding.
“I am still in the band and still very active in Aggie Recruitment Committee,” he said. “The Corps really taught me time management skills and the qualities I learned from them I think are really going to help me out in the end.”
Because Corps members are encouraged to balance duties in the Corps with other aspects of campus life, Lanier said, it helps make its members successful after college.
“It really is the best of both worlds. I am determined to keep recruiting a priority in the Corps of Cadets as Corps Commander,” he said. “Though it’s not going to happen while I’m here, I’d like to eventually see the corps get up to 2,200 to 2,400.”
Since he was selected as commander, Lanier said having a chance to get to know leaders from other organizations and working with cadets across the Quad has been the most exciting for him.
“To know that I’ll be leading 1,800 cadets and working with an organization that has been around since the University’s beginning,” he said, “That’s an amazing feeling.”