All VWIL students are part of the Mary Baldwin College Corps of Cadets, the only all-female cadet corps in the world. As a cadet, you engage in a rigorous orientation program at the start of the freshman year, you attend drill and ceremony training each week and you perform in parades each year demonstrating the corps' pride and professionalism. You serve on guard teams, engage in corps inspections and are accountable for meeting the standards of attendance, dress and conduct. Cadets are in uniform 3-4 days each week and must be in uniform at all military formations.
The corps of approximately 125 is organized as a company and is comprised of three rifle platoons, a band platoon, a color guard and a staff. The company is supported by an Emergency Response Squad (ERS) trained to handle cadet emergencies while engaged in corps activities. Officers and NCOs receive their leadership positions in the corps after meeting academic and physical standards, receiving ratings by their peers and appearing before a promotion board consisting of faculty, staff and cadet leaders.
