Former high-ranking military officials offered advice and recollections to more than 70 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets during a roundtable discussion.
The March 21 event took place in Lowe’s Auditorium in the NCCU School of Business.
Jocelyn Mallette, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, briefly spoke of the history of the armed forces. It was the National Defense Act of 1916 that created the ROTC.
Black servicemen, however, were segregated and only allowed support roles such at stewards, cooks and drivers. It wasn’t until 1948 when President Harry S. Truman banned desegregation in the armed forces.
During a question-and-answer session, a cadet asked the key qualities of an effective leader.
“I had to demonstrate I was an effective leader,” said retired Brigadier General Jimmy McMillan of the U.S. Air Force. “I came in as a 22-year-old and oversaw men twice my age. Most had seen the gore of war, and I had not.”
Another cadet asked retired Lieutenant General Kevin Vereen of the U.S. Army the challenges of overseeing a $20 billion budget.
“It wasn’t even close to what we needed,” said Vereen. “We had to justify all our requirements to Congress.”
Also taking part was retired Brigadier General Arnold Gordon-Bray of the U.S. Army.
During a short video, Gov. Josh Stein said, “America’s military has only been desegregated for 77 years but African Americans have fought for our country since it was founded.” To the cadets, he said, “You have chosen an honorable profession.”
On the governor’s behalf, Mallette presented a proclamation to Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon, who made the opening remarks.