Saint Thomas Academy
Cadet Colonel Selection Process
The STA Cadet Colonel and Cadet Lieutenant Colonel selection process and ceremony is a unique and traditional event that occurs in November of each year. It finalizes the cadet chain of command for the school year.
The goal of the STA Cadet Colonel selection process is to select one cadet colonel, who becomes the cadet brigade commander for the remainder of the school year. In addition, the brigade executive officer, the chief of staff, and three battalion commanders are also chosen. Each position is a functional job within a military organization. These cadets are entrusted to lead the school through the myriad day-to-day events that occur from December until graduation. Some of these events include military review, the Brigade Federal Inspection, and numerous ceremonies.
A selection board meets in late October or early November to evaluate, discuss, and select one colonel and five lieutenant colonels. The board takes into consideration, but is not limited to, the following areas:
- Academic performance
- Military performance
- Athletic involvement
- Co-curricular involvement
- Demonstrated leadership
- Merits and Demerits
- Public speaking
- Ability to uphold the values and traditions of STA
The board consists of the following STA administrators and faculty members:
Headmaster: Non-voting member / adjudicator
Commandant: Board chair and voting member
Assistant Headmaster: Voting member
Dean of Academics: Voting member
Dean of Students: Voting member
Faculty Representative: Voting member
Student Representative (student-selected faculty member): Voting member
Advanced LET Instructor: Recorder, non–voting member
The Fleming Saber
| The traditional symbol of the Cadet Colonel’s authority, the Fleming Saber. This saber is named in honor of United States Marine Corps Reserve Captain Richard E. Fleming, Class of 1935, who served as Commander of Charlie Company and the Crack Drill Squad, while at Saint Thomas. He was posthumously awarded the highest decoration for heroism this country can bestow, the Medal of Honor.
Captain Richard E. Fleming
United States Marine Corps Reserve
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty as Flight Officer, Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron TWO FORTY-ONE during action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4 and 5, 1942. When his squadron Commander was shot down during the initial attack upon an enemy aircraft carrier, Captain Fleming led the remainder of the division with such fearless determination that he dived his own plane to the perilously low altitude of four hundred feet before releasing his bomb. Although his craft was riddled by 179 hits in the blistering hail of fire that burst upon him from Japanese fighter guns and antiaircraft batteries, he pulled out with only two minor wounds inflicted upon himself. On the night of June 4, when the Squadron Commander lost his way and became separated from the others, Captain Fleming brought his own plane in for a safe landing at its base despite hazardous weather conditions and total darkness. The following day, after less that four hours' sleep, he led the second division of his squadron in a coordinated glide-bombing and dive- bombing assault upon a Japanese battleship. Undeterred by a fateful approach glide, during which his ship was struck and set afire, he grimly pressed home his attack to an altitude of five hundred feet, released his bomb to score a near-miss on the stern of his target, then crashed to the sea in flames. His dauntless perseverance and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT |
