Norwich hosts senior military college leaders and cadets for AMCSUS conference

Senior leaders and cadets from the nation's senior military colleges gathered at Norwich University Sept. 27-29 for the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) Senior Military College Conference, three days of shared learning on leadership, training and the future of military education.

The conference brought together delegations from the six senior military colleges: Norwich University, Texas A&M University, The Citadel, Virginia Military Institute, Virginia Tech, and the University of North Georgia. Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University at Galveston, and the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership at Mary Baldwin University also took part. Cadets kept the rhythm of Norwich life throughout their stay. Days began with first call at 5 a.m. and physical training with Army ROTC. Cadets were housed in the barracks and paired with Norwich sponsors during their visit.

The program opened Sunday evening with a welcome reception in Milano Ballroom. On Monday, Norwich President LtGen John Broadmeadow '83, USMC (Ret.), 25th President of Norwich University, delivered opening remarks to the staff in attendance at the Cyber Fusion Center, the conference's central venue. C/COL Corey Martin '27 followed by providing an overview of Norwich.

Staff sessions focused on operationalizing mental health resources and the ROTC Flagship Initiative. Commandants also held a breakout session on obstacles to cadet leadership development, followed by a group recap.

Cadets held a program of their own in Mack Hall. Each school presented an overview of its corps, and cadets then discussed the culture and challenges their institutions face. A third session centered on standards and holding peers accountable, a topic at the heart of cadet leadership. Later sessions covered environmental factors that affect training and specialty and ceremonial units.

Tuesday's sessions turned to best practices across the senior military colleges and open-topic discussion, followed by a cyber update at the Cyber Fusion Center. Cadets presented their after-action review, and conference leaders closed with their own review.

The conference concluded at noon Tuesday, with cadets and staff departing after three days of candid conversation and shared best practices. As the venue rotates among the senior military colleges, the ideas exchanged on Norwich's campus will travel with each delegation back to its own corps of cadets.