Delegation from Austria’s Theresian Military Academy visits Norwich

Norwich University hosted a delegation from the Austrian Armed Forces’ Theresian Military Academy (TMA) on Oct. 5. MG Phillipp Ségur-Cabanac, the academy’s Commandant, spent the morning in briefings and meetings with University and state leaders, as well as participating in conversations with Austrian cadets now studying at Norwich.

MG Ségur-Cabanac was also accompanied by TMA cadets Maj David Wieser, Cadet Class Commander, and 1st Lt Kerstin Heber. The visit was part of the commandant’s trip to the United States and Canada to meet with the TMA’s international partners in its exchange program. Norwich is one of those partner institutions and currently hosts two Austrian exchange cadets.

While on campus, the delegation reinforced the partnership between the two institutions, engaged with the Austrian cadets in Northfield, discussed continued cooperation in military education and leadership development, and met with Norwich senior leadership.

The delegation was received at Jackman Hall first thing in the morning before moving to Mack Hall for an academic briefing. MG Ségur-Cabanac then held an office call with MG Henry Harder, Vermont National Guard’s Adjutant General. The delegation next met with the Austrian exchange cadets in a roundtable discussion.

Later in the morning, the visiting commandant participated in an office call in Jackman Hall with LtGen John Broadmeadow ’83, USMC (Ret.), 25th President of Norwich University; BG Lea Williams, VSM, Provost and Dean of the Faculty; and BG Mark Denton ’97, VSM, Commandant of Cadets and Vice President for Student Affairs. The visit concluded with a group photo and lunch with University leadership in the Board of Trustees Room. The delegation departed campus early in the afternoon.

Roots in the Vermont-Austria Partnership

The relationship between Norwich and the TMA grew out of the Vermont National Guard’s long-standing ties with Austria. Initial discussions began under MG Gregory Knight during strategic dialogue sessions held alongside the 2022 signing ceremonies for the Vermont-Austria State Partnership Program, which pairs the Vermont National Guard with the Austrian Armed Forces.

Those early conversations identified opportunities to expand the relationship beyond military-to-military cooperation and into professional military education and academic engagement. Throughout 2022, staff from the Vermont National Guard, the Austrian Embassy in Washington, the U.S. Embassy in Vienna, and Norwich coordinated on the idea.

In spring of 2023, Norwich elected to pursue a formal relationship with the Austrian military academy. That decision led to staff talks and the drafting of a memorandum of understanding to guide the partnership. The Vermont National Guard, through its State Partnership Program, served as a facilitator while the relationship developed. Norwich and the TMA also held reciprocal key leader engagements throughout 2023, which allowed leaders of both institutions to explore areas of cooperation directly.

Those engagements built enough institutional support for the two schools to move toward a formal agreement. The effort culminated in a signing ceremony in January of 2024, held in conjunction with the Austrian Officers’ Ball. The agreement was signed by BG Tracey Poirier ’96, then the Vermont National Guard’s Director of Joint Staff and Norwich Assistant Vice President, and MG Karl Pronhagl, then the TMA Commandant.

Cadet and Instructor Exchanges

The agreement created a direct institutional link between Norwich and the TMA, providing a pathway between the two schools for both cadets and instructors alike. It also extended the Vermont-Austria relationship into the academic and professional military education fields, serving as an example of how the State Partnership Program can support lasting relationships beyond traditional National Guard engagements.

Norwich, founded in 1819 as the America's first private military college, and the TMA, which dates to 1751 and is based in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, share a commitment to developing leaders through military education. Austrian exchange cadets studying at Norwich take part in both the academic and military lifestyles within the University alongside members of Norwich’s Corps of Cadets.

The visit came as MG Ségur-Cabanac completed his first year as the TMA’s Commandant, and it reflected continuity in the partnership across the change in the academy’s leadership.

Looking Ahead

The two institutions plan to continue building the relationship through the State Partnership Program key leader engagements and periodic reviews involving the bilateral affairs officer, Austrian Embassy representatives, and the Vermont National Guard.

The partnership also has an upcoming milestone. In 2027, the Vermont-Austria State Partnership Program will mark five years, and plans call for the Norwich-TMA relationship to be highlighted as part of the anniversary activities.