Cmdr., Corps of Cadets at Va. Tech: Walker
Now, the daughter of Rotary Club of Farragut president-elect Brian Walker and Public Image co-chairperson Jennifer Walker will be the regimental commander of the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech this fall. She will be “the highest ranking cadet in the program,” reporting directly to a two-star general.
Adilynn, a Virginia Tech senior, told her story to RCF members during its meeting in Fox Den Country Club Wednesday, July 9.
“Our speaker today is someone I’ve known all of her life,” Brian said as he introduced his daughter. “Adilynn will share what the Corps of Cadets program is and talk about her summer commissions around the country and the world.
“At Virginia Tech, Adilynn, who is majoring in economics and political science, also is an active member of the Honors College and the Economics Club, as well as competing on the university’s Crew Team,” her father said.
Additionally, “she volunteers as an adult leader with U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, an organization in which she previously was a member,” Brian added.
Adilynn recalled when she first told her parents she wanted to go into the military and recalled their reaction was that of confusion since the former “beauty queen” had never before spoken about going into the military.
Still, she sought out opportunities to learn about the Navy, starting out with the Seal Cadet Corps then moving into the Navy Junior Officer Training Corps at Farragut High School.
At Virginia Tech, she joined the Corps of Cadets her freshman year, and every year she’s learned a new aspect of the program, starting with “Pride” her freshman year when she learned about “pride in the Corps.”
Adilynn’s sophomore year, she learned about “Fortitude,” keeping strong despite challenges while also learning to be a leader.
Her junior year taught her “Transparency,” as she learned “honesty matters.”
As she enters her senior year, Adilynn brings with her the importance of “Mentorship” and the role she will be playing as a mentor herself to freshmen who need a lift up and inspiration.
