Virginia Tech announced that U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. William H. Seely III will become the next commander of the Corps of Cadets.
He will officially assume his new role following his planned retirement from active duty in spring 2025, according to a university news release.
Seely will succeed Maj. Gen. Randall Fullhart, whose term as commander will officially end on July 1.
Sealy
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“The Corps of Cadets is an important part of Virginia Tech's identity, as the university was founded as a military, land-grant institution and has grown into a leading research university and senior military college,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “Under Major General Seely's leadership, I look forward to advancing the Corps of Cadets' role in the university's mission. His experience, accomplishments and exemplary military career will serve as an inspiration to our cadets who will be the global, ethical leaders of tomorrow.”
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“I am filled with excitement as I assume this prestigious position, as Virginia Tech is a great university with a tradition of great leadership within the Corps. I look forward to working across the university and developing outstanding officers and civilian leaders in both military and non-military environments,” Seely said.
Seely has held leadership roles throughout his 35-year military career, including serving as a signals platoon leader with H&S Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion from 1990 to 1992, company commander with India Company, Marine Corps Cryptography Support Battalion, Kunia, Hawaii from 2000 to 2002, and battalion commander with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division from 2006 to 2008. Additionally, he served as commander of the Marine Corps Intelligence School, Training Command from 2011 to 2013, commanded Task Force Iraq as part of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve from 2019 to 2020, and served as the director of Joint Forces Staff College from 2020 to 2021.
He currently serves as the director of the Eisenhower School at the National Defense University in Washington, DC.
Seely has held a number of positions that demonstrate his versatility and strategic acumen, including as S-2, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion from 1992-93, deputy G-2 and G-2 operations chief at Marine Corps Central Command from 2002-03, and director of intelligence and integration at Marine Corps Combat Development Command from 2010-11. He also served as director of intelligence for the commander of Joint Forces Land Forces in Iraq from 2015-16, according to the release.
According to the release, Seely has also received numerous awards, including the Defense Outstanding Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Bronze Star with two gold stars and a “Combat V”, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Joint Meritorious Service Commendation Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Mr. Seely's educational background includes a bachelor's degree from American University and master's degrees from Oklahoma State University, the National Intelligence University and the Naval War College.
Dwayne Edwards, dean of Virginia Tech's School of Biological Systems Engineering and a retired U.S. Army Reserve brigadier general, will serve as interim commander until Seely takes over, according to the announcement.
