The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets will hold the 72nd annual Senior Banquet and Military Ball as part of Military Weekend on Feb. 14. 

A special event for all cadets, Military Weekend is particularly meaningful for the graduating class that will be honored first at the Senior Banquet and then later when all seniors are presented to the entire corps at the Military Ball.

The Senior Banquet will be held at the Inn at Virginia Tech, located at 901 Prices Fork Rd. The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 2015 is proud to welcome retired Air Force Col. Richard ‘Rock’ Roszak, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Class of 1971, as the guest speaker.

After a 27-year career on active duty as an aviator, accumulating over 2,000 flying hours primarily in the B-52, Roszak finished his Air Force career as the commander of the Virginia Tech Air Force ROTC detachment. Upon his retirement from active duty, he joined the Corps of Cadets staff as a deputy commandant for 3 years and then spent the last 11 years before his retirement in 2012 serving as the alumni director for the corps. He currently serves on the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Alumni Board of Directors.

Immediately following the banquet, all cadets and invited guests will attend the Military Ball in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center.

The Corps of Cadets Jazz Ensemble, the Southern Colonels, an ensemble group of the Highty-Tighties, will play introductory music and the Corps of Cadets Color Guard will present the colors. In addition, Gregory Guard, the corps precision rifle drill team, will perform a rifle spin routine. All seniors and their guests will then be presented and proceed through a ceremonial saber arch provided by Sash and Saber, the Citizen-Leader Track Honor Society. Music during the dance will be provided by Spank, a regional band.

After the ball, the Corps of Cadets will celebrate with the firing of Skipper at 11:30 p.m. on the Drillfield followed immediately by the playing of Silver Taps. Silver Taps is played by three buglers located at the Pylons, the April 16th Memorial, and outside War Memorial Gym. All are welcome to observe.

The Senior Banquet and Military Ball are planned and organized by the Scabbard and Blade Military Honor Society. The top 10 percent of ROTC cadets are selected in their junior year for membership in this prestigious national organization.

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