Corps of Cadets enrolls new leadership

By: Michaela Dennis

Staff Writer

The announcement of the Corps of Cadets and Army instructors retiring came in spring 2022. The news stunned the Military Science 3’s/threes, now MS 4’s, who have worked under their leadership for three years. 

Just like in a civilian profession, new leadership is a process the current cadets must get adjusted to as they pursue a military career.

Deputy Commander Phillip Johnson is a senior in the program and described the past commanders as family. 

Johnson admired their experience in civilian and Army society, but most importantly, he respected their use of the Golden Rule. That practice stuck with his class because it taught them how to talk to each other as adults and respect each other’s opinions.

Johnson’s introduction to the new leadership was a welcoming experience because the commanders did not follow customs and courtesies, despite the instructors being high-ranking non-commissioned/commissioned officers. 

Instead, the commanders got to know, “Phillip,” the man outside the uniform. 

“It was a good handshake of the bat,” Johnson said. “I didn’t have to go to parade rest or attention. This helped me gain their respect, definitely.”

Jaycee Holliday is a senior who serves as the cadet Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Commander. She described being very emotional when she heard about her commanders retiring that she started to cry. 

Captain Forbes, Holliday’s former Military Science teacher, will officiate her wedding this upcoming spring. 

Her appreciation for the former instructors was deeply rooted in their leadership style and development of personal relationships with cadets. Holliday hopes the new instructors have patience in their development as college cadets.

Major Shalachi serves as the professor of Military Science. He graduated from Tarleton State University in 2021 with his master’s degree in management.

“He (Major Shalachi) came in with an effective plan, he was genuinely interested in the Corps and our voices,” Holliday said.

Shalachi, who is drawn to Tarleton because of the military background, military-friendly community and administration, was welcoming. 

“Know that they picked an exceptional university to attend their scholarly program and they picked a great program that will build them to be leaders in The United States Army,” Shalachi said.
His goals for the year are to showcase a strong relationship between Army ROTC and Tarleton, train and develop lieutenants in the United States Army and tell the Army.

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