LEXINGTON, Va. Feb. 20, 2025 — Benjamin Disraeli, British statesman and author wrote, “The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.” Richard “Richie” O’Connell III ’22 was ready, willing, and able to represent the entire Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets when his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. at the 60th presidential inauguration.  

O’Connell may be considered a non-traditional cadet. He matriculated with the Class of 2022 in Aug. 2018, but experienced a few bumps early in his cadetship, and left for two and a half years. VMI had been the only college O’Connell considered attending, and he was eager to get back.

After submitting a handwritten letter to the dean, he was allowed to return. Now the 25-year-old is on track to graduate in December with distinction, with a degree in English and concentrations in philosophy and rhetoric and writing. 

Last spring, O’Connell, who has a passion for writing, began contributing to The Cadet, a privately owned publication. The following fall, he was given the title of co-editor-in-chief. 

When word reached post in December that the Presidential Inaugural Committee has selected VMI to participate in the inaugural parade, O’Connell, like everyone else, was thrilled. As Institute staff worked feverishly to get everyone scheduled to march in the parade credentialed with the Secret Service, O’Connell and other members of the newspaper staff sought and succeeded in receiving press credentialling that would allow them full access to all inaugural events. Because they would be in D.C. for an extended time, they made travel plans independent from the rest of the Corps.  

When O’Connell heard that all inaugural events were moving indoors because of the dangerously cold weather and that the rest of the Corps would not be attending, he was disappointed.

“They had worked extremely hard practicing, and I know it was disheartening for them not to be able to be part of this historic event,” he said.

The weather did not prevent O’Connell and his team from traveling to D.C., but because the events would be indoors their itinerary changed.

“We were supposed to be present for the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol Building, as well as the lunch following, but because fewer people could be present at those two events, we weren’t able to attend. We were limited to the events held at the Capital One Arena.”  

Arriving at the arena, however, the team was met again with the news that fewer people could be admitted, so they had to choose one person to represent them. His peers unanimously selected O’Connell.

“It was surreal to be chosen as the sole representative of VMI at the inauguration. I couldn’t believe I was there, taking it all in. The first thing I did was interview civilians, but many people took interest in my gray blouse uniform and asked me questions. They thought I was from West Point, but I replied, ‘Oh, you mean, the VMI of the north?,’” quipped O’Connell. He also saw Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, and the Village People perform, and heard speeches from Elon Musk and Donald Trump Jr. 

O’Connell’s entire team was able to attend the Rally4Vets Presidential Inaugural Ball in the evening. There they met VMI alumnus Robert Hess ’67, founder of the Disabled Veteran Empowerment Network, the organization hosting the event, and Rep. Dan Crenshaw from Texas, former Navy SEAL.

To O’Connell’s surprise, the guest of honor at their table was retired Navy Rear Adm. Donald Loren, father of his childhood friend and brother rat, Christopher Loren ’22. The ball was O’Connell’s favorite part of the inaugural experience because he was able to meet and talk with veterans about their military careers and thank them for their service.

“There were gentlemen there with missing limbs, and some with service dogs. It was quite touching,” he said.  

Lt. Col. Michelle Iten, associate professor in the Department of English, Rhetoric, and Humanistic Studies and O’Connell’s academic advisor, stated that he has a genuine commitment to intellectual self-improvement.

“That’s something a lot of people can say, but Richie embodies it — he’s tireless when it comes to improving his thinking and his writing. I have always been impressed with how his strong work gets even stronger with each assignment. He also stands out because he’s motivated by intellectual curiosity; he always wants to know more and is well-known in my classes for going above and beyond when it comes to researching and writing about a subject.”  

In addition to participating in the newspaper, O’Connell plays the trombone in the Regimental Band and serves as the Cadet Equity Association representative for Band Company. He participates on the rugby club team and plays guitar. He is from Springfield, Virginia, the son of Amy and Richard O’Connell Jr. and an alumnus of Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries. He plans to commission into the armed forces and later pursue a career in music.  

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE