LEXINGTON, Va. April 6, 2025 — Eight 1^st Class commissioning cadets at Virginia Military Institute, along with their faculty leadership team, Col. Houston Johnson V, professor and head of the Department of History; Maj. Zachary Deibel, assistant professor of history; and Col. David Gray, executive director of the Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE), toured the island country of Greece during spring furlough as part of the Olmsted Foundation’s Undergraduate Program (OFUP).

The fully funded trip was co-sponsored by VMI’s Department of History, the John A. Adams ’71 Center for Military History & Strategic Analysis, and the CLE. Assistance was provided by the Office of Global Education. Cadets were chosen through a rigorous application process based on their GPA, ROTC ranking, a written essay, and personal interview. 

According to Johnson, the OFUP’s central mission is to offer commissioning cadets the opportunity to immerse themselves in a foreign culture to help prepare them for deployment abroad during their military service. “We focus on the history of American engagement with our destination while ensuring that participants experience the best of the history and culture of that country or region. This year, cadets conducted a series of pre-trip readings that focused on the classical era of Greece and the birth of Greek Democracy, the 19^th century Greek Revolution, Greece’s role in the early Cold War and the origins of the containment policy, and contemporary challenges in the form of the Greek economic crisis and recent influx of refugees,” he said.

The group traveled to many towns in Greece including Delphi, where they toured the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which dates back to the 4^th century B.C., the ancient theatre situated within the temple, and the stadium used to host the Pythian and PanHellenic games. The following day they visited Thermopylae, which derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. There they visited a memorial to the King Leonidas, a Spartan king who led a battle against the invading Persian army at the narrow pass of Thermopylae, and engaged in a discussion about the ancient battle.

From there, the party went to Meteora, a rock formation that rises from the plains of Thessaly, which houses the most important monastic communities of Greece. They visited one of the monasteries where they learned the history of Christianity in Greece and the Greek Orthodox church.

On their last day in Greece, the group traveled to Vergina to visit the tomb of King Philip II of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great, then on to Thessaloniki, where they explored the Ottoman city walls and viewed the famous White Tower. They also learned about the Greek health care system and discussed Greece’s experience during the 2011 economic crisis.

Rachel Roberson ’25, a psychology major from Stevensville, Maryland, thought the trip was an incredible opportunity to explore the historical and cultural foundations of modern leadership and strategy. “Visiting ancient places like Corinth, Olympia, Delphi, and Meteora helped me better understand how geography, tradition, and history influence decision-making. These insights will stay with me as I continue my military career,” she said. 

Audrey Davis ’25, an international studies major from Austin, Texas, agreed. “Not only was this an incredible culturally immersive experience, but it also provided us with historical precedence of excellent military leaders such as Philip and Alexander the Great. We were able to see the most important historical sites across Greece, and also explore the cities at night to truly absorb the culture. I will remember this trip forever as a highlight of my time at VMI, and I will always be grateful to have had this opportunity.”

Plans for next year’s trip begin immediately.

Marianne Hause
Communications & Marketing
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE