Austin Peay ROTC sends third-, fourth-ever cadets to West Point program

APSU ROTC cadet Herman Thomas, sitting, third from right, attended West Point’s Cadet Summer Training in June and July.

Austin Peay’s Governors Guard ROTC program sent its third- and fourth-ever cadets to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Cadet Summer Training this summer.

Michelle Phillippe, a junior management major, was selected as the third Austin Peay State University cadet to attend the monthlong program. And Herman Thomas, a junior criminal justice major, became the fourth-ever selection.

“West Point is a very prestigious school, so just to get the experience firsthand about how they do things,” Phillippe said. “I’m still grateful for the experience. We’re all cadets, even West Point cadets are cadets.”

Phillippe and Thomas navigated the summer school alongside West Point cadets in such exercises as marksmanship, field training, team leading and water obstacles. The training helped the cadets identify their strengths and weaknesses to apply to their continuing ROTC training at Austin Peay.

“It was my first time doing any type of military training, so I was pretty skeptical going into it,” Thomas said. “I didn’t know if I would be able to complete a task, but going through, I completed everything, and I did really well.

“It helped solidify the kind of leaders we can be, the type of leaders we need to be,” he added.

To learn more

For more about Austin Peay's ROTC program, go to /rotc/.

News Feed

View All News

20251119-food-pantry-ribbon-cutting-4304

APSU board approves Millan Foundation Impact Center naming for expanded food pantry

The naming recognizes the Millan Foundation's transformational gift-in-place donation--APSU's first privately-funded donation of this type--which will expand the food pantry's capacity to serve 35% more students facing food insecurity.

20250808-commencement-recessional-camera-4-7544

Austin Peay State University to host Fall 2025 commencement ceremonies on Dec. 12

This semester's graduating class includes approximately 1,157 students. Undergraduate and graduate students from each of the university's academic colleges will be recognized.

Austin Peay State University's GOVing Tuesday 2025 surpasses goals, fully funds all projects

All 17 GOVing Tuesday fundable projects were fully funded by the close of the campaign on Dec. 2--with an additional $12,000 raised beyond the goal to support Funds of Excellence across participating areas. In total, the campaign raised $75,670.36--the highest dollar amount and the greatest number of gifts in GOVing Tuesday history.